Pastor Russ Couwenhoven grew up in Chicago at Moraine Valley Church.  He graduated from Northwestern Bible College with a degree in speech communications, and received his Masters degree from Bethel Seminary. He has pastored three churches in his 16 years of ministry.  He is currently pastoring in Minneapolis at ChristLife Evangelical Church.  He has been married 20 years to his best friend Ann, and they are raising 10 fun, energetic, sometimes crazy, children.

His passion in ministry is summed up by this verse. "For I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." (Gal. 2:20) When God taught Russ the fullness of this verse, his Christian walk was transformed.  He stopped performing for God, and emptied himself, so as to be a conduit through which His power could flow.  Author Ian Thomas, says it well. "The Christian Life can be explained only in terms of Jesus Christ, and if your life as a Christian can still be explained in terms of you - your personality, your willpower, your gift, your talent, your money, your courage, your scholarship, your dedication, your sacrifice, or your anything- then although you may have the Christian life, you are not yet living it."

Russ has a passion for the lost, the hurting, and the fatherless.  The leaders of ChristLife Church have helped create a ministry that mentors men recovering from addictions.  They teach the men home construction skills, money management, job interviewing techniques, and most importantly, how to walk by Spirit.  Russ spends much of his week, side by side, with these growing men. He also has a heart for the fatherless, and has been blessed beyond belief by adopting five children. He has been heard countless times saying "I should be the poster boy for adoption.  Under my picture it should read... If this man can adopt; anyone can.  Parenting brings Galatians 2:20 to life - every single day.  I can choose to parent in my own flesh (which isn't pretty) or I can die to myself, and let Christ live through me."

Come ready to be challenged, equipped, and set loose to minister in ways you didn't think possible for you.