David Russell has been leading worship for over 30 years. As pastor of church music in San Diego, he supervised a fully-graded music program and led adult and youth choirs as well as several ensembles. His youth choir would prepare a fully-choreographed musical each spring and take the musical on tour throughout California, six other western states and Canada. He moved to Porterville in 1995 to lead music and worship at First Southern Baptist Church. He has also planned and directed music for statewide conventions and served as president of the California Southern Baptist Church Music Conference in 2002.

David's wife, Michal, also assists in leading worship by playing flute, piano and singing. Their three sons play violin at an advanced level and are pursuing careers in music. In addition to performing for conferences and numerous churches, the Russell family has produced two CDs.

David is an avid racquetball and tennis player and enjoys arranging and creating music accompaniments on the computer.

A favorite scripture is Lamentations 3:22-23,
"The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness."