Russell Bartlett
Lead pastor
Russell began serving as our Lead Pastor in September of 2019. Born and raised on “The Rock” (Newfoundland), he and his wife Angela are blessed with three great kids - Noah, Judah, and Sarah. Russell describes himself as a hopeless sports fan, cheering enthusiastically for the Dallas Cowboys, Toronto Maples Leafs and Blue Jays.
Russell has been in pastoral ministry since 1995 and has served as the lead pastor of two, multi-generational, multi-staff churches – Philadelphia Pentecostal Church (Lewisprote, NL) and Elim Pentecostal Church (St. John’s, NL). In addition to his pastoral ministry experience, Russell has recently been focused on training/coaching young pastors and church planters. Before coming to Philpott, Russell served as the executive director for the church planting network, Mile One Mission (www.mileonemission.ca).
Russell loves the local church and has committed his life to serving it. He expresses passion for Jesus, for preaching/teaching, and for disciple-making. Russell also emphasises global missions and has enjoyed gospel partnerships in Senegal, West Africa.
Jesse Hill
associate pastor
Jesse joined the staff team in 2014 as the Worship Arts Pastor, and has since then transitioned to the role of Associate Pastor. Jesse is passionate about teaching, the intersection of art and faith, and lived-out expressions of the gospel, including ministries of hospitality and justice. Jesse is working on a PhD and has master’s degrees in theology and education (McMaster Divinity College and Regent University) and a bachelor’s degree in English (Regent). When he’s not working or studying, you can usually find Jesse cycling or hiking with his family.
Jackson Theune
Pastor of next generation ministries
Jackson joined Philpott Church in 2020. He was born and raised in Edmonton but has also lived in Los Angeles and Calgary while getting his BA in Biblical Studies from Biola University and his Master of Divinity at Ambrose University. Jackson moved to Hamilton to pursue a PhD in New Testament from McMaster Divinity College with the hope of using education as a tool to further the gospel of Jesus through relevant and Biblical teaching in the local church.
Melody Whitehead Director of Outreach and Ministry
Melody and her family have been attending Philpott since 2017. She and Tim are the proud parents of Georgia, Providence, Isaac, Aurora, and Tobias. Melody loves loud clothing, eating carbs, and bantering with Tim!
Melody has been involved in church and parachurch ministries since her youth, shaping in her a passion to share with others the significance of Jesus and the need for a personal relationship with Him. She values dignity and respect, and appreciates the diversity of people she gets to know through ministering at Philpott.
EDiTH HAMISI
head of MaintenAnce and Custodial
Edith has been on staff since August 2021. Originally from Congo, Edith and her husband Jean have lived in Canada for 11 years.
Edith is the proud mother of 7 children (whose names all start with the letter J!).
When Edith is not working she is looking for new sights in Southern Ontario that her family can visit!
