ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"We are called to be a 'light of Christ' to others. People need to feel loved when they walk into church" The Reverend Dr. Russell Jones Levenson, Jr.
Education
Dr. Levenson received his Bachelor of Arts cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College and was awarded upon his graduation he received the College’s highest service award, The President’s Service Award. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Ministry from Beeson Divinity School in 1997. He received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity from Nashota House Theological Seminary in 2023.
The Rev. Dr. Russell Jones Levenson, Jr. was born in Birmingham, Alabama. He and Laura, his wife of 40 years, have three children, and two grandchildren. Russ retired from full-time ordained ministry in June of 2024, after 32 years in ordained ministry, the last 17 of which he served as Rector of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas. Growing to over 10,000 members during Russ’ tenure, St. Martin’s was, and remains, the largest worshipping community in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition in North America.
Years of Service
Prior to serving at St. Martin’s, Russ and Laura lived and ministered together, as Russ served as Assistant Chaplain at the University of the South, Associate Rector under The Rev. Dr. John Claypool at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Birmingham; Rector at the Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, Louisiana and Rector of Christ Church in Pensacola, Florida, before being called as rector to St. Martin’s in the summer of 2007.
Awards and Honors
In 2011 he was awarded Beeson Divinity School’s “Distinguished Alumnus” honor and in the fall of 2012 he accepted the “Dean’s Cross” from Virginia Theological Seminary, and in 2019, he was named as “Distinguished Alumnus of the Year,” for Birmingham-Southern College.
In 2015, by appointment of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth, II. Russ was inducted into the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem; and in 2020, by appointment of the Queen, Russ was elevated to the Office of “Sub-Prelate” of the US Priory of the Order, overseeing the Spiritual Care and Worship Services for the Order, until his retirement from that post in June of 2024.
Serving History
In 2018, after serving as their pastor and priest for over eleven years, Russ officiated and preached at the funeral for Former First Lady, Barbara Pierce Bush in Houston, Texas, and later that year at the State Funeral in Washington, D.C. and the final memorial service in Houston for President George H.W. Bush. He also presided at the private graveside funerals for both President and Mrs. Bush.
After President’s Bush’s service, Russ Levenson received a special certificate of recognition from Randolph Alles, the 25th Director of the Secret Service, “...for unwavering support and dedication in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Secret Service during Operation Epilogue, November 30-December 6, 2018.”
After developing a deep and personal relationship with “The Last Man on the Moon,” Astronaut Gene Cernan, Russ was at his bedside at the time of his death and at the Captain Cernan’s request, officiated at his funeral in Houston and burial service in Austin on January 24th, 2017.
Life in the Ministry
Dr. Levenson began his career serving in various roles at churches in Alabama, Virginia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and Florida . He was called to be the rector of The Episcopal Church of the Ascension in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1997, and later served as the fifteenth rector of historic Christ Church Parish in Pensacola, Florida .
Sewanee, Tennessee
Birmingham, Alabama
Lafayette, Louisiana
Pensacola,
Florida
Houston,
Texas
He is the author of several articles in various magazines and religious journals, and four seasonal devotional books, Provoking Thoughts: A Lenten Companion, Preparing Room: An Advent Companion, Summer Times: A Summer Companion and Autumn Leaves: An Autumn Companion; and with his wife, has authored An Advent Wreath Devotional that is suitable for adults and families, as well as one version especially for children.
Life as an Author
In 2022, his book, Witness to Dignity: The Life and Faith of George H.W. and Barbara Bush was published by Hachette/CenterStreet, and includes a Forward by The Honorable Jeb Bush.
Among the endorsements he received were those Former Vice President Dan Quayle, Former Secretary of State James A. Baker, III., Former Ambassador to the United Nations and United States Senator Jack Danforth, Commentator Karl Rove, Journalist Neil Cavuto, Journalist Brit Hume, Journalist Bianna Golodryga, Today Show Host Jenna Bush Hager, Actors Sam Waterston and Gary Sinise, Singer and Songwriter Amy Grant, Historian John Meacham and several others.
Witness to Dignity was a featured book on Dana Perino’s Book Club, and the New York Post named it as “one to read in 2023.”
His book Go! A Vision for Priests and Pastors of the Future, was published by Virginia Theological Seminary in 2023 and includes a forward by The 103rd Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey.
His book In God’s Grip: What Golf Can Teach Us About The Bible, will be released in the spring of 2025 and includes a forward by CBS Anchor Jim Nantz, and endorsements from PGA great Ben Crenshaw, New York Times bestselling author Joe Sweeney and others.
In the fall of 2025, Witness to Belief: Reflections on Faith and Meaning will be released by Morehouse/Church Publishing in October 2025. It includes his conversations and interviews about their personal faith with Denzel Washington, The Honorable James A. Baker, III., The Honorable Condoleezza Rice, Amy Grant, Gary Sinise, Sam Waterston, Dr. Francis Collins, Dr. Jane Goodall, The Honorable Nikki Haley, Admiral William McRaven, Jim Nantz and Brit Hume.