Hi, my name is Russ Bunker and I am the Music Director here at Calvary. I am blessed to have served Calvary since September 1986, being hired as church organist at that time. In 1993 I became Senior Choir Director as well. In 1995, I assumed the newly created position of Music Ministry Coordinator. The title of this position was recently changed to Music Director.

I play for all worship services (with the aid of our contemporary team at our contemporary worship), plan music for and direct all of our three choirs. I accompany and coach our two small vocal groups, Jonah and the Wailers and Sweet Assurance. I also coach our contemporary praise team. I plan and arrange music for our contemporary service, and plan other special music for our church as well as assist in hymn selection for worship. Our special musical events at Calvary include an annual Christmas cantata by our Senior Choir the second Sunday in December, a biannual Spring musical presented by our youth, and a special Senior Choir concert on the second Sunday in May.

I have been pianist and vocal coach for our annual community musicals here in Perham since 1993. I also founded and direct the Community Lenten Choir, which is an interfaith choir which first sang in 1983. Every Palm Sunday we present a cantata in Perham and in New York Mills. I have been blessed to serve churches in the Northeast, deep South, and now in Minnesota for a total of almost 35 years. I also have work experience as music director for many musicals put on by community theatre groups in the New England area. I have a B. Music Education degree from Troy State University in Troy, Alabama.

If you want to feel a powerful Holy Spirit, come worship at Calvary! I am very blessed to lead music ministry in this loving, Spirit-filled, community of faith.