Pastor Russ grew up in Souderton, in Montgomery County. After a few years following his graduation from high school where he was trying to figure out what he was supposed to be doing, he realized that God was calling him to ministry as a pastor in the church. Following up on that realization led him from college at Susquehanna University, to Trinity Lutheran Seminary. After his graduation from seminary and his approval by the ELCA for ordination, Pastor Russ served congregations in the Western Iowa Synod and then in the Northwestern Pennsylvania Synod before returning home to Southeastern Pennsylvania.
In all the congregations that Pastor Russ has served, he’s done his best to faithfully minister in the congregations that he’s been called to, through preaching and worship leadership, through visitation and pastoral care, and through teaching. In Pastor Russ’ first congregation, he was privileged to lead a group of high school students to the 2015 ELCA Youth Gathering in Detroit, and he’s enjoyed working with confirmation classes and youth groups in the other congregations he’s served to find other opportunities for service, learning, and deepening their faith.
Pastor Russ lives in Perkasie, in Bucks County, with his spouse, the Rev. Sarah Aasheim, and their two children. When he’s not at work, Pastor Russ enjoys riding his bike, reading, spending time with his family, and cheering for the Phillies.