Radical Disciples – A Remnant Revolution

“It’s not the law of religion nor the principles of morality that define our highways and pathways to God; only by the Grace of God are we led and drawn, to God. It is His grace that conquers a multitude of flaws and in that grace, there is only favor. Favor is not achieved; favor is received.”  ― C. JoyBell

Dr. Russ Welch: A Journey of Grace, Transformation, and Ministry

The Story of a Life Changed by Divine Encounter and Devoted to Teaching the Gospel of Grace

The journey of Dr. Russ Welch stands as a living testament to the transformative power of grace, the relentless pursuit of deeper spiritual truth, and the calling to serve others with a heart radically changed by divine love. His life, marked by struggle and redemption, is woven with moments of deep personal reflection, academic achievement, and a series of life-altering encounters with the Holy Spirit. Through his story, Dr. Russ reveals how grace, rather than law or self-driven morality, becomes the true pathway to knowing and walking with God.

Early Life: Trials and the Seeds of Faith

Born in Maine, Dr. Russ Welch’s early years were shaped by instability and hardship. He spent his formative years in foster care until the age of six or seven, after which he returned to live with his mother and stepfather. The wounds of an unsettled childhood would follow him into adolescence; at fifteen, a turning point came when he ran away from home, seeking shelter and acceptance among relatives, friends, and at times, the streets. It was a period defined by rebellion—a struggle for identity and belonging played out against the backdrop of broken relationships and personal turmoil.

Amidst these trials, a spark of faith was ignited. At the age of fifteen, Dr. Russ attended a David Wilkerson crusade, where he first gave his heart to the Lord. Yet, despite this pivotal moment, the realities of addiction, substance abuse, and the lure of darkness continued to draw him away from the path of faith. For years, he wandered, oscillating between moments of spiritual openness and periods of profound rebellion, his life marked by the scars of drugs, drinking, and fractured connections.

A New Beginning: The Move to Florida

The dawn of a new millennium brought with it the promise of a fresh start. On January 1, 2002, Dr. Russ arrived in Florida, unaware that this relocation would be the instrument of divine orchestration. The hand of the Lord, unseen yet ever-present, carefully directed each step of this new journey. It was through a simple act—attending a church service with his sister Roxanne in Jacksonville—that the next chapter of transformation would begin.

During that service, Dr. Russ was struck by an epiphany: though he knew of the Lord, he did not truly know the Lord. This realization pierced through the layers of self-serving faith, prompting him to rededicate his life to Christ. With renewed fervor, he embraced the call to ministry, enrolling in ministry school and eventually graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Ministry. In June 2003, Dr. Russ married Millette, and a year later, they welcomed their son. Together, they embarked on a new mission—establishing Mighty Arm Ministries in 2005, a platform dedicated to delivering the gospel message to people in nursing homes, jails, and juvenile detention centers.

Pursuit of Theological Depth

Never content with surface-level understanding, Dr. Russ immersed himself in rigorous theological study. Over the years, he attended three different ministry institutes, including Trinity, where he earned his Doctorate in Theology, as well as a Doctor of Divinity (D.D. Div) from CBIS. His academic achievements reflected a deep longing to grasp the “deeper things of the Lord”—a quest not just for knowledge, but for divine wisdom that would fuel his calling.

The Defining Encounter: March 29, 2016

For Dr. Russ, the most significant turning point did not come from intellectual pursuit, but from a radical, supernatural encounter. In the early hours of March 29, 2016, while attending a ministry retreat at a historic inn in Saluda, North Carolina, Dr. Russ experienced an awakening that would rewrite his theology and transform his Christian life. Awakened from sleep, he sensed the voice of the Lord urging him to open his Bible to John 3:16. In that moment, the love of God became an overwhelming, tangible reality—a flood of divine presence that washed over him in a way words could scarcely capture.

It was as if the Holy Ghost carried him back through every moment of his life, from birth to the present, revealing the persistent love and favor of God at every turn. The chains of religion, tradition, and the doctrines of men—burdens he had carried for over three decades—fell away. Dr. Russ realized that his prior understanding, shaped by an Old Testament, law-based theology and a works-driven gospel, had been tainted by human effort and religious striving. Now, he was set free by the simple, profound truth of grace.

A New Message: The Gospel of Grace

This encounter did more than reshape Dr. Russ’s theological convictions; it gave him a new message and a new mission. No longer bound by the rigid confines of legalism or the pursuit of favor through works, he became a passionate proponent of the gospel of grace as lived by Jesus and articulated by the apostle Paul. The transformation he experienced—a spiritual “blood transfusion,” as he describes it—motivated him to share this liberating truth at every opportunity.

Dr. Russ’s ministry shifted in focus, centering on the doctrines of grace, love, and the freedom available through the Holy Spirit. He began to teach and preach, not from a place of religious duty, but from the overflow of a heart changed by divine encounter. His story is echoed in the words of Charles Spurgeon, who once wrote about the realization that it is God who seeks us, and not the other way around. Dr. Russ now understood that favor is not something to be earned—it is a gift to be received.

Ministry and Legacy: Remnant Warrior Ministries

In the years following his radical encounter, Dr. Russ continued to seek deeper revelation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For nearly eight years, he has dedicated himself to ongoing study, teaching, and spiritual formation, committed to walking in the true doctrines of Christ and the fullness of biblical sonship.

As he and Millette continued their work, Mighty Arm Ministries evolved in response to fresh revelations. By late 2022, Dr. Russ felt a clear leading to rename the ministry to Remnant Warrior Ministries, reflecting a renewed focus on training and equipping a “Remnant” army of spiritual warriors. This new chapter emphasizes soul-winning and the discipleship methods taught by Jesus himself, preparing believers to walk in the fire-filled baptism of the Holy Ghost and to move mountains for the glory of God.

Today, Dr. Russ serves as Senior Elder and Apostolic Teacher at Highway To Heaven Church in Jacksonville, Florida. Alongside Millette, he co-shepherds Remnant Warrior Ministries, continuing an unwavering commitment to serve, teach, and disciple others. Their home remains a place of welcome and spiritual mentorship, as they guide others into deeper encounters with God’s grace.

The Legacy of Grace

Through every trial and triumph, Dr. Russ Welch’s story is one of relentless grace—of a God who pursues, redeems, and transforms. His journey from a troubled youth to a seasoned apostolic teacher is a powerful reminder that the highways and pathways to God are not defined by religious law or moral achievement. Instead, they are paved with grace, received in humility, and lived out in service to others. Dr. Russ’s life and ministry continue to inspire, challenging believers to lay aside the burdens of works-based faith and embrace the liberating truth that favor is not achieved, but received.

In telling his story, Dr. Russ echoes the words of C.S. Lewis and Charles Spurgeon, testifying to the profound reality that it is God’s grace—unstoppable, unmerited, and overwhelming—that leads, draws, and ultimately transforms us, to the praise and glory of the Lord.

You can also follow Russ on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/rush.welch/ and on Twitter