About Rise
We want to see people know God, grow together, find purpose, and make a difference.
Our Vision
Chattanooga is a special city filled with incredible people who know how to roll up their sleeves, work hard, and build great things. If you look around here, you’ll see the scenic beauty, the flourishing city, and adventure in every direction. While our city has so much going for it, there are some here who find themselves in circumstances that are causing them to lose hope. There are people who are experiencing pain, suffering from loss, dealing with sickness, or bound in addiction and despair. For some, the burden is so bad, there seems to be no way out.
But there is a way! We have found the path that leads to healing. When there seemed to be no way, God made a way. We have found freedom in Jesus — and we want to see every person in Chattanooga experience the same.
God has given us a supernatural love for those who call this area home and we want to help write a new chapter in the history of this incredible place.
The vision of Rise Church is to see a community of people know God, grow together, find purpose, and make a difference. It’s our simple prayer that you would consider joining us in this mission as we ask God for His Kingdom to come and His will to be done—in Chattanooga as it is in heaven.
—Pastor David and Missy
David and Missy Russell
Lead Pastor, David, and his wife, Missy, started Rise Church in the beautiful city of Chattanooga in 2023. Prior to launching the church, Pastor David served in ministry at a high level of leadership at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama in the role of Online Campus Pastor & Digital Director. Missy has been a dynamic ministry leader to women, children, small groups, & serve teams – along with enjoying missions adventures and building a career in real estate.
Pastor David and Missy both come from ministry families and met while serving on staff at a church camp in Alabama. From the start of their relationship together, they have served the church in ministry. Along the way, they were blessed with three amazing kids: Andrew, Abby, and Asher.
In 2023, the Russell family moved to Chattanooga to launch Rise Church. Together, they are excited and hopeful for the future of the church and this city - to see people have hope restored and find new life in Jesus.
Our Staff
David Russell
Lead Pastor
Missy Russell
Director of Ministry and Operations
Nicholas Kerstiens
Student Pastor
Savannah Kerstiens
Rise Kids Director
Andrew Russell
Rise Student Intern
Chelsie Pimentel
Rise Kids Coordinator
Our Trustees
Kevin Bryant
Trustee
Kent DeReus
Trustee
Ben Felder
Trustee
Our Overseers
Pastor Mark Batterson
National Community Church - Washington, DC
Pastor Denny Hodges
Church of the the Highlands - Birmingham, AL
Pastor Joshua Canizaro
One Hope Church - New Orleans, Louisiana
Our Beliefs
We believe that the Bible is the standard for our lives. Where it speaks clearly that's what we believe, where it is unclear we look for principles to apply, and when principles are hard to find we seek the wisdom of our Christian forefathers.
We believe that every person needs to surrender their lives to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. The Bible refers to this change of heart as being saved or born-again (Ephesians 2:8, John 3:3).
We believe that God desires to bless us in every way so that we can be a blessing to the world around us.
We believe that all Christians regardless of history or heritage should strive in essential beliefs to find unity, in non-essential beliefs to give liberty, and in all our beliefs to have charity.