Our Team

Pastor John Russo

John has been our Lead Pastor since 2018. He holds a B. A. in Ministry from The Baptist College of Florida and an M. Div. from Southwestern Theological Seminary. He met his wife Elesea, while participating in summer missions. They’ve been married for 17 years and have 4 children. John is passionate about helping people be transformed by the power and person of Jesus Christ. He enjoys hiking, pickleball, reading, good food, and college football.

Ministry Directors and Leaders

Seth & Ella Dawson
Children's Ministry Leaders

Seth and Ella met in college through the Baptist Student Union and have been married since July 2022. Seth is an aircraft maintainer for the United States Air Force and an ordained minister. He has served in multiple church positions since 2017 including youth pastor, music minister, and interim lead pastor. Ella has a Masters of Science in Social Work. She has served in different ministries through the Baptist Student Union and International Mission Board working with children, youth, and adults facilitating apartment ministries and various children's activities. The couple welcomed their first baby girl, Anastasia, in February 13th, 2025. 

Elesea Russo
Youth Ministry Director

Elesea’s journey to Youth Director began 3 years ago when she was “just going to fill in for a few weeks.” It’s now a passion and labor of love to minister to students and point them to Christ. Elesea is married to John and when she’s not at summer camp or daring middle-schoolers to eat mystery foods she’s homeschooling their four kids. She holds a Bachelor’s in Mass Communications and Speaking/Interpersonal Communications. Although she has claimed Arizona as home for a long time now, she has southern roots and likes to say “y’all” a whole lot. Some of her favorite things include fictional books, the summer season (Swimming! Ice cream! Vacation!) cooking, and playing games where everyone is yelling.

Joy Smith
Missions Coordinator

Joy Smith has served in the Middle East through the International Missions Board (IMB). Foreign Missions is her passion.  She led a trip to Mexico and to Puerto Rico in 2025.  She also participated with a team from the church cutting wood in north Arizona.   (Joy is pictured on the right.)

Gayle Kaelin
New Life (50&up) Ministry Director

Gayle has been a part of SRBC Ministries since moving to AZ from CA with her husband and daughters in 1994. After God called her husband and one of their daughters Home, she remained at SRBC serving in various ministries. Gayle has been the Director of NewLife-50 & Up Ministries since September of 2011. She enjoys bringing Seniors together for Fellowship Luncheons, Outings, Game Days, and other activities to keep everyone active, connected, and looking to the Lord for their strength.

Her other interests include visiting her 3 daughters and 12 Grandchildren, in the Phoenix area, singing, quilting, baking, and getting together with friends.

Micah Crawford
College and Career Ministry Leader

Micah Crawford moved to Tucson in 2021, and quickly became involved with Sabino Road Baptist Church and the College and Career ministry. He is now a ministry leader for the College and Career group, leading Sunday School classes and a weekly midweek Bible study. Micah studied aerospace engineering at Florida Tech, where he first got experience leading Bible studies with Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, and he is currently an engineer at Raytheon. Micah is passionate about helping students and young adults study the Bible deeply and learn how to live out their faith on a daily basis.

Support Staff

Tammy Karli
Office Manager

In 2007, Tammy and her family traded the landscapes of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for the desert heat of Tucson. After retiring from the construction business, she arrived in Arizona ready for a new chapter—though she didn't realize quite how much her "plans" were about to change.

Following a providential conversation with a fellow passenger on her flight to Tucson, Tammy visited Sabino Road Baptist Church. What began as a simple search for a home church to raise her family evolved into an eighteen-year journey of ministry. While a career in church administration was never on her original to-do list, she quickly discovered that God had a unique purpose for her skills.

As the Office Manager, Tammy does much more than oversee the daily operations of the church. For her, the front office is her primary ministry—a sanctuary where anyone in need can find:

• A listening ear for life’s challenges.

• A warm cup of coffee and a comfortable seat.

• Compassionate support and a friendly smile.

Tammy has been married to her husband, Gary, for 36 years, and together they share a beautiful blended family of nine. Known for her infectious positive attitude and genuine nature, she is the heart of the church office.

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"Stop by the office soon—I'd love to share a cup of coffee with you!"


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