Jimmy Russell Ministries, Inc.

Jimmy Russell is the founder and president of Jimmy Russell Ministries, Inc.

Jimmy's journey with Christ closely parallels the story of the prodigal son. Not raised in a Christian home, his dream was far from the ministry. Occasionally popping into Sunday school classes in his youth, Jimmy learned the basics of the Christian life, and during his teenage years, he felt God calling him into ministry. But he ran from that call and pursued his number-one love: baseball. After graduating from High School, Jimmy was invited to a spring training camp in Florida as a nonrostered free agent. With his bags packed and directions in-hand, he headed for the Sunshine State, but a few hours into the trip, God completely removed the desire to play baseball from Jimmy. Unsure of what lay ahead, he turned the car around and returned home. It took several years from that time for Jimmy to finally accept the call into ministry, and in October 1983, he accepted Jesus as his personal Savior. To this day, he thanks God for loving him despite his imperfections and faults and for changing him every single day. Jimmy's favorite verse is found in Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." This particular verse, he feels, tells the story of his own salvation and his journey to finally accepting Jesus.

Jimmy first served as the youth pastor in Illinois for two years before stepping out in faith as a full-time evangelist, something he did for 16 years across the country. He was ordained in 1991 and received his Bachelor's degree in Biblical studies. Jimmy has pastored in Alabama and Tennessee.

Jimmy has distinguished himself as a man well-prepared with timely, relevant messages. He preaches with excitement, wisdom and discernment, possible only through the Holy Spirit. The goals for his ministry are to never be satisfied with the status quo, to never keep the church (people) inside the church (building), to have a huge impact in the city where he is planted, to see lives changed for Christ and to see the believer mature and become a disciple, using his or her gifts to advance the Kingdom of God.

He credits his high school sweetheart, Gayla, for being the biggest influence of his life. She has provided him with moral support, words of encouragement and the ability to tell him the truth as only a wife can. He and Gayla were married on September 12, 1975 and welcomed their son, Jimmy III, into the world on October 7, 1979.

In his leisure time, Jimmy enjoys playing golf and watching his favorite teams, the University of Alabama [Roll Tide], and the St. Louis Cardinals.