Meet Our Staff

Gene Nelson
Pastor

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I accepted God's calling into the ministry in the summer of 1984 in my home church of Wallace Memorial Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tennessee.  I attended Carson-Newman College and graduated in 1988.  In 1990, I married the love of my life, Melinda Hatton Nelson.  One year later, we moved to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary where I graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in 1994. I have been blessed to have a very supportive and loving wife who also loves to serve God within the church. While continuing God's work, we started our family. We have two grown children, Jonathan, who is married to Amber, and Lindsay. God has opened many doors of service within His church, which have allowed for many different fields of ministry. As God has blessed me with a variety of ministry opportunities, He has confirmed the spiritual giftedness of teaching, service, and leadership.  Over the years of ministry, God has given me a love for equipping, coordinating, encouraging, and educating believers in the work of God’s Kingdom.  It is my desire that God would use me and His church to reach the unsaved with the Good News of Jesus Christ.  This has become my passion.  I really enjoy teaching the Word of God, letting God’s Holy Spirit move in people’s lives, and leading them to accept Christ as Savior and Lord.  Then, from being a follower of Jesus, to becoming a Disciple of Jesus!

Email: gene@russellivillebaptist.org

Zach Coffey
Interim Youth Leader

Zach and Kandice Coffey came to Russellville Baptist Church in January of 2021. This family has had a calling for helping with youth ministry since 2010. Zach grew up moving every few years so he has been influenced by several different churches and through that gained knowledge and experience with engaging a wide range of kids from 6th-12th grade.  Kandice is a social worker with her passion being to serve and help which has been vital when working with youth.  Zach and Kandice both have a calling for discipleship and leadership and want to see this generation make a difference.. Outside of work and serving the church, they are involved as parents of two beautiful girls, Addilee and Aleah. Addilee loves clogging and Aleah loves being around her sister. This family looks forward to getting to know your kids and growing with them closer to the Lord! They yearn to see young people come to Jesus, see their identity in Jesus and grow closer to Jesus while drawing others to do the same.  He believes that they are the church of the future but they are also the church of today.


Email: rbcstudentsministry@gmail.com

Brandt Yount
Interim Youth Leader

​Brandt Yount joined Russellville Baptist in 2002 and has helped in youth ministry for the last 8 years. Brandt has always enjoyed working with the youth and tried to be a solid example and mentor for the kids. One priority goal Brandt has, is helping the youth in growing closer to the Lord in everything they do.  Brandt enjoys playing any sport. He also loves all things related to  University of Tennessee sports and the Baltimore Orioles. He enjoys hiking and the outdoors. Brandt is excited to continue his role in helping the youth and watching them grow into adults loving and serving the Lord.

​Email: rbcstudentministry@gmail.com

Annette Elmore
Administrative Assistant

Annette was born in Marysville, Ohio and later moved with her family to Cumberland County in Tennessee. Some years later she met her husband and they moved to East Tennessee. Annette was saved at the age of 12 years during a revival at her grandmothers church. She has always had a passion for missions and helping others come to know Jesus. Annette has served in various areas of ministry for over twenty-five years now. Her favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:31, But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not faint. Annette enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and grandchildren. Some of her interests outside of ministry are crocheting, crafting, and antiques.​

Email: annette@russellvillebaptist.org