Russ began serving as our Senior Minister in May of 2017. A native of Radford, Virginia, Russ earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina as a Religion and Political Science double major in 2000. He received his Master of Divinity degree from Brite Divinity School at Texas Christian University in 2003, and was ordained by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) after graduation. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry degree from Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California.

During his seminary years, Russ served as Youth Minister at Creekwood Christian Church in Flower Mound, Texas. After graduation and ordination, he accepted a call to serve as Associate Minister at Collierville Christian Church near Memphis, Tennessee. In 2007, Russ was called as Associate Minister for Youth at University Christian Church of Fort Worth where he served for nearly 10 years.

A graduate of Furman University’s Army ROTC program, Russ serves as a chaplain in the Army Reserve. He is currently assigned to the 807th Theater Medical Command in Salt Lake City, Utah, and recently completed a Master of Strategic Studies through the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Outside of church, Russ enjoys traveling and finding great restaurants (if you’re familiar with the Enneagram, he is a 7), dabbling in home improvement projects, and cooking. Russ’ wife, Sarah, is also a lifelong Disciple and TCU alumna, and they have four children.

From Alex: I grew up in Cedar Hill, Texas where I was the fourth of seven children.  I received my bachelors degree in Music Education from Texas Christian University in 2009, and my MM in Choral Conducting from TCU in 2011. At TCU, I served as the Drum Major of the Horned Frog Marching Band, an Associate Justice in Student Government, and as the Conducting Graduate Assistant of the TCU Choral Department. I currently teach choir in a local school district in the Fort Worth area. I came to Ridglea Christian Church as a stereotypical poor music student simply looking for work. I have truly been blessed to be included into such a wonderful and inclusive congregation.

Herb is a lifelong Disciple who grew up in the Houston area and earned a BA in Psychology and Art History from TCU. He has previously served in youth ministry and worship leader roles at Cypress Creek Christian Church, First Christian Church of Katy, University Christian Church of Fort Worth, and Mosaic Church of Fort Worth. In addition to his role overseeing office operations and communications at Ridglea, Herb serves as Youth & Children's Minister at Westwind Christian Church in Keller.

Herb is also a talented designer and art director who earned a BA in Advertising Design from the Art Institute of Fort Worth. Over the last decade he has done contract and in-house work with numerous businesses and organizations and now primarily does freelance work as the owner of Agency Studiolo.

Mollie first joined our staff in September 2022 as Office Administrator, and left in March 2023 to keep up with her growing textile arts business. We're thrilled that she returned to our staff in December 2023 as Artist-in-Residence. In this 3 hr/wk role, Mollie shares her artistic and creative gifts to enrich our worship services, small groups, sacred spaces, and other areas of church life.

A native of Roanoke, Virginia, Mollie is a graduate of Warren Wilson College (BA, Social Work) and Vanderbilt Divinity School (Master of Divinity) where she met her husband, Ryan (yes, our Minister of Outreach). Additionally, Mollie earned a Certificate in Spiritual Direction and Social Transformation through the Center for Prophetic Imagination and the Minnesota Institute of Contemplation and Healing (MICAH). You can learn more about Mollie's art on her website or see her in action on her Instagram.