What kind of church is christ family church?

OUR AIM IS TO:

FOLLOW GOD, GROW TOGETHER & SERVE OTHERS 


We are an evangelical, Spirit-filled, non-denominational, multi-cultural church in Northwest Houston that emphasizes having a personal encounter with Christ, making friendships that help us grow in God, discovering our individual gifts and purpose in life, and reaching others with the love of God.


our pastors

  • Kennis & Samantha Russell

    Lead Pastor

    In February 2025, Pastor Kennis was officially installed as Lead Pastor of Christ Family Church. He and Samantha Russell moved to Houston in 2005, five months after their wedding, to help plant CFC and have been involved in every aspect the ministry. 


    Kennis has led the Serve Team, training others in all aspects of media and production. As an accomplished musician, often leads worship. Kennis has his BA in Music Composition and Technology from Oral Roberts University. 


    Samantha graduated from Indiana University with a BS in Telecommunications. She serves as the CFC Kids Coordinator. They have two young children, Evangeline and Pierce.

  • Dr. Paul & Delia Russell

    Founding Pastors

    Pastors Paul and Delia are church planters and mentors engaged in raising up next-generation leaders. They celebrate over 40 years of ministry, including pastorates in Salt Lake City, Utah; St. Louis, Missouri; and Nashville, Tennessee. In 2005, they moved to Houston to launch Christ Family Church and fulfill a long-time vision of planting a life-giving church in Northwest Houston.  They are parents to three grown children, all in Christian service, and six grandchildren.


    Paul holds a Master of Practical Theology from ORU and a Doctor of Ministry from Southeastern University.   Paul has served as Chairman of the Global Network of Christian Ministries (now merged with Destiny Leaders). He is on the oversight board of several churches and organizations and continues to offer friendship and mentoring to leaders. 


    Pastor Delia serves as our Administrative Pastor, providing each ministry with practical support and counsel.  Her life is a reflection of her personal passion for prayer, daily Bible study, and her love for family

  • Juliet Geil

    Worship & Connections Pastor

    Pastor Juliet and Lewis moved from San Diego, California to Houston, Texas in 2011.  Pastor Juliet is our Connections Pastor. She on the Preaching Team, leads the Worship Team, and directs Starting Point. 


    Juliet studied musical theater at Missouri State University and the University of West Florida. She and Lewis met in college and married in Missouri in 1992.  Juliet has built and led worship teams in several churches and directed theater extensively.  


    Lewis is a retired Marine Major and flies Life Flight for Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston. They have two children, Chloe and Preston.

  • Tim & Claudia Oakley

    Associate Pastor

    Pastor Tim and Claudia have been a part of Christ Family Church since its beginning. Tim holds a Master of Divinity from Houston Graduate School of Theology and serves on the Preaching Team and Prayer Ministry. Tim holds an executive position with a national food service company. Claudia serves in various areas of ministry while managing her own real-estate business. They have two children, Andy and Sophia. 

WHAT WE BELIEVE

  • About Jesus Christ

    Jesus Christ is the Son of God. As truly God and truly man, He lived a sinless human life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all men by dying on a cross. He arose from the dead after three days to demonstrate His power over sin and death. He ascended to Heaven's glory and will return again to earth to reign as King of kings, and Lord of Lords.


    (Matthew 1:22,23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14,15; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; Romans 1:3,4; Acts 1:9-11; 1 Timothy 6:14,15; Titus 2:13)

  • About Scripture

    The Bible is God's word to all men. It was written by human authors, under the supernatural guidance of the Holy Spirit. It is the supreme source of truth for Christian beliefs and living. Because it is inspired by God, it is truth without any mixture of error. 


    (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:20,21; 2 Timothy 1:13; Psalm 119:105,160; Psalm 12:6; Proverbs 30:5)


  • About Christ's Kingdom

    We believe in the literal second coming of our Lord, literal rule of Christ upon the earth, the resurrection of the regenerate to eternal life and the unregenerate to eternal death, and the ultimate victory of the eternal kingdom of God.


    (Acts 1:9-11; Daniel 12:2; Revelation 22:1-7)

  • About the Life of the Christ Follower

    We believe that those who are called by the name of Christ should depart from sin and seek to fulfill God's will in their lives. Just as salvation comes through faith, the power to be an overcomer and walk in victory over sin is also an outflow of God's grace. The work of the Holy Spirit is to create in us the character of Christ. 


    (2 Timothy 2:19)

  • About the Church

    We believe in the priesthood of the believer. All people born of God have equal status before God and direct access to their Lord. We believe the identity of the body of Christ on the earth is primarily perceived through the local church. The ministries of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor and teacher are gifts to the church for the purpose of equipping believers for the work of the ministry, so that the body of Christ may be built up. 


    (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 4:11-16)

  • About Salvation

    We believe that humans were made in the image of God and are the crown of creation. They are now by reason of the fall spiritually alienated from their Creator. Apart from God's grace they have no ability to attain to the high calling of God's purpose. People are justified only by grace through faith in Christ's sacrifice on the cross. 


    (Psalm 8; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-24)

  • About God

    God is Creator of all things and the Ruler of the universe. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are co-equal and co-eternal and are one God. The tri-une God is all-powerful, all-present and all-knowing. 


    (Deuteronomy 6:4; 2 Corinthians 13:14; John 1:1)

  • About the Holy Spirit

    He is present in the world to make men aware of their need for Jesus Christ. He also lives in every Christian from the moment of salvation, providing power for living holy, understanding of spiritual truth, and guidance in doing what is right. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is an endowment of power that provides the Christian with power to be witnesses and live holy lives. We believe that the supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit are active within the body of Christ until the coming of the Lord. 


    (2 Corinthians 3:17; John 16:7-13; John 14:16,17; Acts 1:8; 1 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 5:25; Ephesians 5:1; Acts 19:1,2; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7)

  • About Water Baptism

    The next step after becoming a follower of Jesus is to be baptized.  Water baptism is an outward expression to the world of what God had done in your life.  Just as Jesus died, was buried and was raised from the dead; baptism represent us dying to our old self, being washed clean from our sin and raised to new life in Christ.  For more information on water baptism, download the What is Water Baptism? guide here.