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Russ Peterman

Russ Peterman

by Rev. Glen Miles on June 24, 2022


Russ began as the Senior Minister of University Christian Church on the first Sunday in Advent in 2017.

Russ’s​ ​education​ ​includes​ ​receiving​ ​his​ ​Bachelor​ ​of​ ​Arts​ ​degre​e​ ​f​rom​ ​our​ ​neighboring​ ​Texas​ ​Christian University​ ​(1990),​ ​​Master​ ​of​ ​Divinity​ ​degree​ ​from​ ​San​ ​Francisco​ ​Theological​ ​Seminary​ ​(1994),​ ​and Doctor​ ​of​ ​Ministry​ ​from​ ​Columbia​ ​Theological​ ​Seminary​ ​(2004). Russ​ ​was​ ​ordained​ ​in​ ​199​5,​​ ​and has served churches in Texas, Georgia, and California. Prior to coming to UCC, he served​ ​as​ ​the​ ​Senior​ ​Minister​ ​to​ ​First​ ​Christian​ ​Church​ ​of​ ​Concord,​ ​CA (2005–2017),​ ​​the​ ​church​ ​where​ ​he​ ​was​ ​baptized​ ​as​ ​a​ ​youth.

Russ​ ​focuses​ ​his​ ​ministry​ ​on​ ​preaching​ ​and​ loves speaking with people about the heart-waking, soul-changing God who is capable of turning their lives inside out and the world upside down!

Russ​ is​ ​married ​to​ ​Kelli,​ ​his best friend of over 40 years, and together they have ​ ​a​ ​blended​ ​family​ ​of​ ​four—twins​ ​Jake​ ​and​ ​Ella,​ ​Abigail,​ ​Caroline​,​ ​and​ ​family​ ​dog,​ ​Poppy.​ ​Beyond​ ​his​ ​commitment​ ​to​ ​ministry,​ ​Russ​ ​is​ ​an​ ​avid​ ​runner, cyclist​,​​ ​and​ ​swimmer.​ ​In addition to finishing 8 marathons and dozens of half marathons, Russ​ has competed​ ​in​ ​triathlons​ and completed an ​Ironman​ ​​in​ ​2016​​​.​ ​He​ ​also​ ​enjoys​ ​yoga,​ ​golf,​​ ​and​ ​being​ ​involved​ ​in​ ​​overall​ ​fitness.​ ​Last​ ​but​ ​not least,​ ​Russ​ ​is​ ​an​ ​avid​ ​TCU​ ​Horned​ ​Frog​ ​fan!

About the Author
Rev. Glen Miles

I was born and raised in California. My family traces its roots in the golden state all the way back to the 1849 gold rush. I was a preacher's kid who loved the church. I was active in Sunday School, youth groups, summer camps, and more. I attended a small Bible College but focused on becoming a teacher and basketball coach. A funny thing happened just before graduation: a small church in California offered me a job as their youth director. They assured me I could volunteer as a coach at the local high school which I was able to do. I loved serving that congregation.

After a couple of years there the elders called me in for one of their meetings. I wasn't quite sure why. The elder chair looked at me and said, "We believe you have a call for ministry. We will hate to lose you, but we are ready to pledge $100 per month to support you in seminary." I was overwhelmed by their offer and surprised by the call. Looking back, I can see now how my years growing up in the church helped to prepare me for the work of ministry.  

I am passionate about proclaiming the love of God for all people. In a world so easily divided by anger and hate, frustration and fear, the message of Heaven's inclusive love for all is desperately needed.  


Three fun facts about me: I'm married to my high school sweetheart, Julie. I lived in 14 different houses between birth and age 17. I've read the Hobbit nine times and The Lord of the Rings trilogy three times

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