James Russell, Senior Pastor

Personal Testimony 

I was saved and baptized as a child in Waldo Avenue Baptist Church in Independence, MO. My father worked for Kansas City Gas Company and my mother was a homemaker. My father passed away when I was 16 years old and my mother became the soul provider and leader for me and my older brother.

Soon after graduating high school, I married Bev, my wife of now 48 years. I had enlisted in the Armed Forces; so, shortly after marrying, I served in Vietnam where I earned a Purple Heart.

Upon returning from the Army, I settled in south Kansas City working construction where I began serving at Blue Ridge Baptist Temple under the leadership of Pastor Parker Dailey. Two kids and a few years later, I found myself feeling a call of pastoral surrender. Looking back, it was something that I’d probably known all my life, but at age 25, it finally became real to me. I knew I was supposed yield to what my Heavenly Father was asking.

So, I packed up the family in a Chevrolet station wagon and headed off to Baptist Bible College where I earned my Graduate of Theology degree. Upon graduation, I accepted the call to pastor Trinity Baptist Church in Ridgeway, MO where I ministered 4 ½ years before being led to serve as Senior Pastor of BSBT in Blue Springs, MO.

My children grew up, went to college, and got married and I was excited to be “kid-free” until my wife acquired a Yorkie puppy soon after (named "Sophie"). 

In my life God has fulfilled all my dreams. In addition to the ministry, I’d always wanted to be a police officer and in 2010, I graduated from the Police Academy and current serve as chaplain for multiple police and fire departments. I will forever keep learning and growing using each subject matter as a tool to reach more souls for the Kingdom.

One thing my earthly father taught me was that God is consistent and that He never changes. My life is a walking testimony of that truth. God is a rewarder of those that diligently seek Him. He took a fatherless young man and turned him into a father, a teacher, a leader, and a pastor. And God has walked with me the entire journey. 

Thank you for reading and if I can be of any help to you or your family, please don't hesistate to contact me. 

Sincerely, 

Pastor Russell

Life Verse

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not to thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and he shall direct thy paths.” 

Proverbs 3:5-6

Interests

Certified scuba diving instructor, cycling, running, woodworking, teaching, and reading.