Mark Russell - Chief Executive

Mark Russell was appointed as the youngest ever Chief Executive of Church Army at the age of 31. He grew up in Northern Ireland and at 21 was one of the youngest licensed Local Preachers in the Methodist Church in Ireland. After two years of troubleshooting management in industry he served for three years as Youth Pastor at Lurgan Methodist Church in Northern Ireland. Mark developed a creative schools ministry and became chaplain to a high school. He was a member of the Methodist Conference.

In 1998 he helped develop ONEder an ecumenical youth congregation, a forerunner fresh expression of church. In 1999 Mark was awarded the Tomorrow's People Award for his cross community work bringing Catholic and Protestant young people together across Northern Ireland. In 2000 Mark was appointed as Youth Minister of Christ Church Chorleywood and helped grow an exciting and dynamic youth ministry.

Mark is a natural evangelist and has led evangelistic missions in many countries around the world. He has spoken as far afield as China and Australia. Mark has been a member of the Archbishops' Council and General Synod of the Church of England.  In 2011 Mark was appointed as an Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral. His job has him leading a team of over 300 full-time evangelists and being an advocate for evangelism in the wider church. He is a sought after conference speaker and regularly speaks at events like New Wine and Soul Survivor. He is a competent media performer.

Mark is a member of the College of Evangelists, a Reader in the Church of England, sits on the Council of Evangelical Alliance and the Church of England Evangelical Council, and is a member of the Council of Reference for Youth for Christ.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, says of Mark: "He has an infectious love for Jesus Christ and the refreshing commitment to evangelism that the church needs right now!"