CONGRATULATIONS PASTOR PABLO AND SARAH RUSSI

During our May 4, 2025 Special Business Meeting, the Northwest Church family elected Pastor Pablo Russi as our next Lead Pastor. Pastor Pablo and Sarah have served on the Northwest Church staff since November 2024, and have touched many lives.

Transition Plan

The Northwest Church Board has detailed a healthy transition plan:

Pastor Michael and Pastor Pablo will continue to work together during a transition process. Pastor Michael will remain the Lead Pastor until Pastor Pablo is installed on Sunday July, 27. During this transition, Pastor Michael is sharing information and passing along best practices, systems, and clarifying the responsibilities of the Lead Pastor job description. During this transition, Pastor Pablo is assuming the day-to-day responsibilities of the Lead Pastor position. More, Pastor Pablo is receiving the leadership of the church staff and the Northwest Church Board. Pastor Pablo and Pastor Michael will share the preaching responsibilities during this transition.

Installation

Pastor Pablo will be installed as the Lead Pastor of Northwest Church on Sunday, July 27. Pastor Roy Rhodes from the Illinois District Council of the Assemblies of God will join us to lead the installation ceremony. We encourage everyone to attend this service and invite family and friends.

Pastor Pablo will assume all responsibilities of Lead Pastor of Northwest Church as of his installation. Pastor Pablo will also become the president of the corporation and the chairman of the board.

Retirement

Pastor Michael is engaged in a retirement plan as he concludes 30-years of full-time credentialed ministry with the Assemblies of God. He is retiring from Lead Pastoring, but will maintain ministerial credentials with the Assemblies of God and remain active in ministry. He is committed to help others do what he has done for 30 years!

Pastor Michael will serve as the President of Professional Coach University (a coaching and training school). He will continue to host the “Your Discipleship Coach” podcast. This show will no longer air on the radio, but will continue on Apple and Spotify. The show will be released on YouTube in the fall. He will continue to serve as an adjunct faculty member at Evangel University and Indiana Wesleyan University. He will also provide low-cost and no-cost coaching to pastors and Christian leaders who cannot afford it. We will keep you up-to-date with his full retirement plan.

Pastor Michael will serve full-time at Northwest Church through the end of May. He will serve part time beginning in June and fully phase out of compensated ministry at Northwest by the end of 2025.