Russ Porter joined Christ Church’s staff in September 2007. At Christ Church, he developed and directs the inaugural Christ Church choir. He leads the church-wide music ministry, with major responsibilities for worship. Russ is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University (1978) with a Bachelor's of Music degree in Church Music. His area of concentration was vocal/choral education with a minor in piano. He continued his education by attending Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where he received his Master's in Church Music (1980) with a concentration in vocal/choral education. Russ has served as Minister of Music for Baptist churches in Texas and Louisiana for the past 24 years before assuming co-ownership of the Rockwall School of Music in 2004. He has had extensive choral experience as conductor as well as teaching experience as a clinician and adjudicator. He and his wife Karen have been married for 30 years and have two children. Their daughter Kristen and her husband live in Little Rock, AR and their son Ryan is attending the University of Arkansas, preparing for medical school.