Profile

Reverend Billy G. Russell hails from a large Southern family of six girls and five boys. First hand, he experienced growing up in the church with his Dad as Pastor. At the tender age of 18 Reverend Russell gave himself to God and has walked strong upon that path ever since. As the second-born boy he succeeded at setting a standard for his other siblings, and was the first of the boys to graduate from college and did not interrupt his studies even when he got married (to his wife Theresa of 28 years) during his junior year...Six years later he became Junior High Principal—one of the youngest ever in the state of Mississippi. Pastor Russell continued to become Supervising Principal of East Marion High School as well. Simultaneous to this strong educational path was the calling to be a minister at age 23. This meant a continuing focus on education beginning with his Bachelors of Science (BS), followed by his Masters Degree in Education, a Certification in Administration and the focus and fortitude to attend Seminary at Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, and work towards a Master in Divinity at New Orleans Theological Seminary. Through it all he and his wife Theresa, (now a Critical Care Nurse at The Mayo Clinic and working towards her Masters Degree in Nursing and as a Parish Nurse at Greater Friendship Church), have created and maintained a strong, fulfilling marriage and a loving home where they have successfully raised four children—who are now grown with homes and careers of their own.