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.

Brian Mitoraj
Associate Pastor

Brian serves as the Associate Pastor at Sabino Road, where he has been attending for the past two years. With a background as a church planting pastor, he brings a heart for building healthy communities of faith and helping people grow in their walk with Christ. He is married to his wife of 30 years, Erin, and together they have two adult daughters. When he’s not serving the church, he enjoys fishing, cooking, and spending time riding his horses.

Ministry Directors and Leaders

Cassie Adkins
Children's Ministry Leader

​Cassie has served in children’s and youth ministry in various capacities throughout her adult life. Sharing the amazing love of Jesus with the next generation is one of her greatest passions. As a Tucson native, she has a deep desire to see the hope and Living Water that only Jesus can provide, bring life to the arid desert.

Cassie has been married to Jared for 11 years, and together they have been blessed with three children, whom she now has the joy of homeschooling. She also puts her cosmetology license to good use, cutting and coloring hair around her kitchen table.

Cassie loves music—both listening to it and making it. Worship music, in particular, is one of the primary ways she connects with Jesus in her daily walk. She also has never met a theology book or podcast that she hasn't enjoyed listening to, reading, or studying! #certifiedbiblenerd 

Before becoming a wife and mom, Cassie had the incredible opportunity to spend a year overseas serving in missions. That experience profoundly shaped her understanding of just how big, beautiful, and inclusive God’s love and family truly are around the world.

Cassie is excited to partner with the Holy Spirit in fulfilling the Great Commission and to see the Children’s Ministry at Sabino Road Baptist Church grow, thrive, and reach the next generation with the hope of Jesus!

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.)

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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.


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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