Hello! My name is Aaron Russell. I grew up in Memphis, TN, in a loving family of 6, and now live in Louisville, Kentucky, with my wife, Zoe, as I pursue graduate education at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 2020, as a college freshman at the University of Memphis (Go Tigers!), my life was set on Aaron’s dreams and Aaron’s desires for Aaron’s comfort and Aaron’s gain. After a time of conviction and struggle with what life was really about, the Lord radically changed my life aspirations from self-centered to Christ-exalting. I began to discern a calling to vocational ministry and what that would look like in my life. The next summer (2021) I got an opportunity to serve in Little Rock at Geyer Springs FBC, testing the waters to see what church ministry would be like. I fell in love!

Coming back to Memphis, I transferred to Bible college at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, beginning there in Spring of 2022. That same spring, I was blessed with the opportunity to come on staff as a pastoral intern at my home church, Kirby Woods Baptist Church, under Pastor Jared Kress. What a blessing and time of growth! From recording podcasts to teaching Young Adults, from pouring into Youth to helping lead the Senior Adult Bible Study, my home church gave this young, aspiring minister unbelievable opportunities to practice and learn the ins and outs of church ministry.

After getting married in December of 2022 to my beautiful wife, Zoe, the Lord began to grow our desires to see what full-time ministry would look like. In an act of sweet providence, the Lord connected us with Brownsville Baptist Church in Brownsville, TN. I was ordained into Gospel Ministry and sent out by Kirby Woods to become the Pastor over Students and Communications at Brownsville Baptist.

This new church family quickly became our home away from home. The saints at Brownsville, under the leadership of Pastor Ben Cowell, blessed me with numerous opportunities to grow as they allowed this young minister to share the Word of God with them through both preaching and singing, in times of rejoicing and times of difficulty.

In December of 2024, after graduating with my Bachelor’s in Christian Studies, we announced a new movement of God in our lives – the Lord was leading us to move to Louisville, Kentucky, to attend The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary residentially for my Master’s. As we set out to intentionally train for a lifetime of ministry, we sorrowfully leave behind sweet memories and friendships as we joyfully look forward to the future the Lord has for us.

As my journey continues, Rest For Your Soul  is an avenue to bring others along – to stay connected with and keep pouring into those that have so deeply influenced me thus far, and to begin pouring into others who may be new.