Russell Evans: The Planetshakers Founder Carrying On a Pentecostal Family Legacy

August 23, 2026

Source: ORU

Russell Evans (born September 23, 1967, on the mission field in Papua New Guinea) is an Australian pastor, author, and evangelist.

He is the founder and senior pastor of Planetshakers Church in Melbourne, a Pentecostal congregation and worship movement he leads alongside his wife, Sam.

Evans is the son of the late Pastor Andrew Evans, a major figure in Australian Pentecostalism who led the Assemblies of God in Australia and co-founded the Family First Party.

Evans grew up as a pastor’s kid in Adelaide, working under his father’s leadership at Paradise Church before launching Planetshakers in 2004.

What started as a youth-focused ministry has grown into a global church and conference brand, with campuses across several countries and an annual conference drawing tens of thousands of attendees.

Ps. Russell Evans (Planetshakers) prayer over Indonesia (April 2017) / Source: Youtube

Russell Evans at a Glance


Personal
Full name	Russell Evans
Born	September 23, 1967, Papua New Guinea (mission field)
Age	59 (as of 2026)
Nationality	Australian
Spouse	Samantha “Sam” Evans (m. 1992)
Children	Jonathan and Aimee Evans
Father	Andrew Evans (1935–2023), former National President, Assemblies of God in Australia
Ministry
Title	Founder and Senior Pastor
Church	Planetshakers Church, Melbourne
Founded	2004
Denomination	Pentecostal / Australian Christian Churches
Prior roles	Youth Pastor, Paradise Church, Adelaide; National Leader, Youth Alive Australia
Career
Books	The Honor Key, Acceleration, and others
Net worth	~$2–5 million (est., unverified)

Early Life and Family Background

Russell Evans was born on September 23, 1967, on the mission field in Papua New Guinea and raised in Adelaide, Australia.

His father, Andrew Evans, was one of the most influential figures in Australian Pentecostalism, serving as National Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Australia and later co-founding the Family First political party.

Growing up as a “PK” (pastor’s kid) shaped much of Russell’s early identity. He has spoken openly about the pressure that comes with that role and about struggling, as a young man, to find his own calling rather than simply inheriting his father’s.

Ministry Career

Serving Under His Father

Before launching his own church, Evans served as youth pastor at Paradise Church in Adelaide, working directly under his father’s leadership.

He also served as the national leader of Youth Alive, Australia’s Pentecostal youth movement, and sat on his denomination’s state executive committee.

That season gave Evans hands-on experience running large youth events and gatherings, skills that would define his own ministry later.

Founding Planetshakers

In 2004, Russell and Sam Evans founded Planetshakers Church in Melbourne, alongside their children, Jonathan and Aimee.

The church grew quickly around youth-driven worship and high-energy conferences. Planetshakers Conference, held in multiple cities around the world, has grown to draw more than 45,000 attendees at its largest gatherings.

The church itself now serves an estimated 21,000 members across campuses in Australia and internationally, including locations in the Philippines, South Africa, and Singapore.

A “No-Diva” Leadership Culture

Evans has spoken publicly about building what he calls a “no-diva” culture inside Planetshakers, an intentional pushback against the celebrity-pastor dynamic that has damaged other megachurch brands.

He frames it around a simple conviction: “Before we are Christians, we chase our dreams.

When we become a Christian, it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me,” referencing Galatians 2:20.

Personal Life

Russell Evans has been married to Sam Evans since 1992. Sam serves as co-senior pastor of Planetshakers, leading in preaching, worship, and prophetic ministry alongside her husband.

The couple has two children, Jonathan and Aimee, both of whom grew up inside the Planetshakers ministry.

Evans also serves on the board of trustees at Oral Roberts University, extending his influence into U.S. Pentecostal higher education.

Net Worth and Financial Information

Public estimates of Russell Evans’s net worth are unverified and vary by source, typically ranging between $2 million and $5 million.

This range reflects income from ministry leadership, book sales, and Planetshakers’ conference and worship activity rather than any confirmed personal disclosure.

Influence and Legacy

Planetshakers has become one of the more recognized youth-oriented worship brands to come out of Australian Pentecostalism, alongside Hillsong.

Its music arm, Planetshakers Band, has released a steady stream of worship albums that circulate in youth and young-adult church settings globally.

Evans’s continued involvement with Oral Roberts University and international Pentecostal networks has extended Planetshakers’ reach well beyond Melbourne.

Interesting Facts

Russell Evans was born on the mission field in Papua New Guinea, not in Australia.
He serves on the board of trustees at Oral Roberts University in the United States.
Planetshakers Conference has drawn crowds exceeding 45,000 people at its peak.
Evans is the son of Andrew Evans, a former National Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Australia and co-founder of the Family First Party.

Timeline of Key Events

1967 — Born on the mission field in Papua New Guinea; raised in Adelaide.
1992 — Marries Sam Evans.
Prior to 2004 — Serves as youth pastor at Paradise Church, Adelaide, and national leader of Youth Alive Australia.
2004 — Founds Planetshakers Church in Melbourne with Sam.
2023 — Father, Andrew Evans, passes away.
2026 — Continues to lead Planetshakers Church and its global conference.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Pastor Russell Evans?

Russell Evans was born on September 23, 1967, making him 59 years old as of 2026.

Who is Pastor Russell Evans?

Russell Evans is the founder and senior pastor of Planetshakers Church in Melbourne, Australia, and the son of the late Pastor Andrew Evans, a former leader of the Assemblies of God in Australia.