RUSSELL & SAM EVANS
SENIOR PASTORS
RUSSELL EVANS
One of the leading international communicators of this generation, Russell Evans comes from a rich multigenerational ministry heritage. Prior to founding Planetshakers City Church in Melbourne, Australia, he served faithfully under his father’s ministry at Paradise Church in Adelaide, South Australia. He has also served as the national leader of Australia’s Youth Alive movement and has held a position as one of his denomination’s state executives.
In February 2004, Russell, along with wife, Sam, founded the 10,000 member Planetshakers City Church. The annual conference, which has grown to over 25,000 attendees, donates millions of dollars each year to promote and sustain social justice around the world.
As founder and director of Planetshakers, Russell has an uncompromising desire to see every person make a difference in their world. Planetshakers is a global ministry phenomenon that has sold hundreds of thousands of praise and worship albums worldwide.
Enjoying close relationships with many of the world’s leading ministers, Russell is well known for his collaborative approach to building God’s kingdom. He has the rare capacity to relate equally to both younger and older generations of people due to his rich heritage and experience along with a passion for fresh music and empowerment of emerging leaders. He has committed his life to “empower generations to win generations.”
Russell and his wife, Sam, live in Melbourne, Australia, with their two children, Jonathan and Aimee.
SAM EVANS
Sam’s passionate approach to both life and ministry is inspiring. With a tenacity to see the Kingdom of God manifest here on earth, Sam is a bold and mighty preacher of the Word of God. Never satisfied with anything less than the best God has, Sam’s preaching will take you to new levels of understanding and revelation. As she is driven by the mandate to see this nation, and the nations of the world, walk in the authority and blessing that God has destined, her enthusiasm for the best God has infiltrates the hearts, minds, lives and the spirits of those who hear the Word through her.
Sam believes in the potential of every person and therefore dedicates herself to the training and discipleship of her congregation. She has a strong teaching foundation and understands the importance of creating environments for her congregation to draw near to God and allow the Holy Spirit to speak into their lives. It’s her desire for every person to get a personal revelation of the gospel and how it obtains the keys to unlock the potential and destiny within them, bringing breakthrough to their lives.
Sam, together with her husband Russell Evans, has founded many amazing and God-inspired things throughout her ministry so far.