A Legacy of Faith and Service
After 25 years of dedicated service as the pastor of Inkom Community Bible Church, Russ Blair is stepping down from his role, leaving behind a rich legacy of faith and unwavering trust in the Lord. His journey with the church has been deeply personal, intertwined with the very building that has served as both a place of worship and a symbol of community history.
Blair’s connection to the church building goes beyond just being its pastor. Long before it became a sanctuary for worship, the structure was once Inkom Elementary School, and even earlier, it was the high school attended by Blair’s parents and grandparents. This deep-rooted history made it especially meaningful when he took on the role of pastor. For the past 25 years, Blair has had his office in what was once his second-grade classroom, a detail that he humorously notes as “having trouble getting out of 2nd grade.”
His path to ministry began in his late teens while living in Pocatello. During a time of searching for purpose, Blair attended a service at Pocatello Bible Church where the pastor asked if anyone was ready to commit their life to Jesus. That day, in 1978, Blair made that commitment, describing it as the moment he was “saved or born again.” Interestingly, that same day marked the first official service of Inkom Community Bible Church, adding a layer of divine timing to his story.
A year later, Blair met his wife, Terri, on a blind date. The couple married and moved to California, where they became active members of Calvary Baptist Church. It was during this time that Blair felt a strong calling to pastoral ministry. He attended Pacific Coast Bible College and was ordained in 1987.
In 1995, the couple moved to Hidalgo, Illinois, where Blair served as a pastor for four years. Then, unexpectedly, Inkom Community Bible Church reached out, sensing the need for a new pastor. Blair, initially hesitant, said, “Put me on the bottom of the list,” and began praying about it. To his surprise, he ended up being the last name on the list, and in August 2000, he returned to Inkom, making a commitment to stay as long as the Lord wanted. He has led the congregation for 25 years.
Blair describes Inkom as a “somewhat transitional community” with families often moving in and out. However, it was the people and the Lord who sustained his ministry over the years. “I’m not foolish enough to think I did this on my own,” he said. “Being used of the Lord in any capacity is a privilege.”
Under his leadership, the church focused on biblical teaching, heartfelt worship, and community engagement. Blair became a trusted guide for his congregation, officiating weddings, baptisms, and memorials throughout east Idaho. “People tell me I’m good at funerals. Serving as pastor has taken me places a lot of people don’t get to go,” he said. “I’ve been accepted into families and lives without feeling like an outsider.”
As he prepares to deliver his final sermon, Blair hopes the message will be less about him and more about what truly matters: “Love God and love your neighbor.” A new pastoral candidate will be introduced to the congregation on August 3. In the meantime, Russ and Terri plan to spend time camping, traveling, and enjoying family. Though he’s stepping down from the pulpit, Blair said he’s not stepping away from service. “I still plan to live in Inkom, and I still want to serve the Lord. Nothing is off the table.”
A public retirement celebration will be held at Inkom Community Bible Church, 251 West Grant Avenue, on Saturday, July 26, from 1 to 5 p.m., for all who have been touched by Blair’s friendship and ministry. “I’ve been told there’s going to be a presentation and a surprise,” he said. “I’m not quite sure what they have planned for me, but I’m sure it will be good.”
