Pastor Profile: Russell Johnson

I first started talking to Russell Johnson back in 2019. He was a smaller pastor at the time, and wasn’t anyone I’d heard of. I actually spent a lot of time roasting him as he grew, which I whole-heartedly regret. While we don’t agree on everything, Russell has become a close friend and confidant. He’s been in my corner even when I wasn’t in his.

Russell started pursuit out of a Barn. Hauling equipment and instruments in every service because there was no infrustructure there for a church. Out of that Pursuit was born. It’s since taken over the Pacific North West like a wildfire, stoking a new-found Pursuit (heh) for the Lord. Russell has become a household name in evangelical circles for his dynamic speaking-style, his biblical knowledge, and his heart to bring people to God. For the full story of Pursuit, I’d suggest the documentary “Kids from the Barn”.

Something you’re passionate about:

I like politics (both national and international). I watch and read the news every day. I am fascinated by the political process. I worked in politics for nearly a decade before going into full-time vocational ministry. The same way people get excited about the Super Bowl, is the same way I get excited about watching the election results. I don’t love politicians, and I don’t enjoy being “political”, but I appreciate the democratic process and have worked hard to develop the ability to address public policy issues from a faith perspective. With that being said, I’m not interested in being known as the “political” guy in the Pacific Northwest. I think the Church has a holy obligation to interfere with the social order and I intend to do that. However, I simply refuse to turn the pulpit into a soap box for a particular party or candidate. The Church must retain her prophetic voice to critique people, ideas, and polices without becoming overtly partisan.

Something peculiar about you:

Over the last decade, Pursuit has acquired 5 different commercial properties. Every one of them has required major work. In addition to preaching, I’ve functioned as the general contractor for nearly every major commercial remodel we’ve done. In the early days, I did this out of necessity. We didn’t have money to hire professional crews, so I was forced to develop a new skill set. I’m not good at construction. But I’m extremely particular about design and flow. I’ve learned more about plumbing, electrical, HVAC, fire sprinklers, flooring, and roofing in the last 10 years than I ever imagined. For several years, every new staff person we hired was gifted a pair of steel-toe boots. It was both an expectation and a necessity that each of our employees would contribute to the literal building of God’s House. We had no other option.

Something personal: If you had your entire life to do it all over again, would you still choose to go into ministry? Why or why not?

My plan was to move to Washington D.C. and work for the United States Senate. I was working on a hotly contested senate race in 2010 that, if we would have won, would have provided for me the opportunity to relocate to the east coast. God had other plans. We ended up losing that race and I found myself at a crossroads moment in life. Soon after that loss, God would open the door for a small part-time ministry role as a young adult pastor at a local church in the Seattle region. The rest is history. Without question, planting Pursuit has been the most difficult and rewarding venture of my professional life. I believe in the Church. In a world flooded with crap, I still believe that the Church is the best thing afloat. If we can build a church that we don’t have to beg our kids to attend, it will make every sacrifice along the way well worth it.

Would you consider yourself a celebrity pastor? Does that term offend you? 

I wouldn’t consider myself to be a “celebrity pastor”, but the term doesn’t necessarily offend me. As Pursuit has grown, so has the notoriety of those on our leadership team. Most notably, myself. I’m just trying to be faithful to walk thru whatever doors God continues to open. I won’t apologize for the influence God has given Pursuit, but I also won’t take it for granted. I never once in my life imagined that Pursuit would have the type of cultural impact that we have today. When we planted Pursuit in 2014, we had no institutional support. ARC wasn’t behind us, the AG wouldn’t take us, and most people thought we were nuts. My wife and I sold our house, moved in with her parents, bought a karaoke sound system, and held church services in a barn. I worked in pest control for the first 3 years of the church plant because Pursuit couldn’t afford to pay me. Any ambition I had was beaten out of me. The church was not an overnight success. We didn’t have thousands, we had dozens. However, God used that season of small beginnings to prepare my heart for that which was coming. I didn’t plant a church to become famous. I planted Pursuit because I was trying to be faithful. Culturally, the term “celebrity pastor” definitely carries a pejorative meaning (and for good reason). The pathology that is most often associated with “celebrity pastors” is not pretty. Generally, they are seen as ingenuine, narcissistic, self-absorbed, and inauthentic. Individuals who have substituted the call to selfless service with a personal attempt at monetizing their influence and growing their clout. And to be fair, there are a litany of examples in the church-world to reinforce that narrative. However, the critic’s attempt to problematize influence, just because others have abused it, smacks of intellectual dishonesty. The issue isn’t the size of your stage, the size of your salary, or the size of your online following. The issue is the size of your heart. When the church you lead becomes bigger than the church in your heart, watch out… you’re in trouble. If the world seeks to confer “celebrity pastor” status upon certain religious leaders, so be it. I’m not offended by the term.

What’s your favorite kind of food, and where’s the best place you’ve had it:

Meat. Preferably a filet mignon. Bellevue, WA has a great spot called Ascend. Also, Totino’s Pizza Rolls (my house).

Where’s some place you’ve always wanted to go? 

 The Vatican.

What’s a hobby that people would be surprised that you enjoy? 

 I have 2 main hobbies outside of preaching and being a husband/dad. I go the Banya (Russian spa) and I randomly play Call of Duty. In addition to leading Pursuit, I did 150,000 miles on the road in 2024. So, when I am in town, I try to catch up with the homies and that usually revolves around food, a cold plunge, and/or video games.

Something watch related:

 I’ve owned 3 Rolex watches. The first was a 36mm Oyster Perpetual. I was at a restaurant, and someone came up to me and said, “I feel like I am supposed to give this to you.” I wore it for a few months and then felt like I was supposed to give it away. The second was a 41mm Datejust (black dial, jubilee bracelet, fluted bezel). I got that watch for my wedding anniversary. I wore it for 2 years and then felt like I was supposed to give it away. The watch I own now is a 42mm Sky-Dweller (two-tone, champagne dial, fluted bezel, jubilee bracelet). Haven’t given this one away… yet.

What’s your grail watch?

 Honestly, I’m pretty boring. If I find something I like, I will just roll with that long-term. I like the Sky-Dwellers. Upgrading someday to the yellow-gold Sky-Dweller would be pretty dope.

Would you consider yourself a watch collector? Why or why not? 

 Not really. I own an Apple Watch and a Rolex. I appreciate the intentionally and design of a well-made product. I grew up thinking I would never have the opportunity to own a Rolex. Buying the Sky-Dweller was a cool experience and served as a reminder of how far we’ve come but I don’t really see myself being the guy who owns 10 different high-end watches.

When are you writing a book? Come on already.

Currently, just trying to finish my PhD.