What’s the next step for a 40-year-old, self-described wilderness instructor with a bachelor’s degree in corporate finance and master’s degrees in intercultural studies and theological studies?
Become a missionary, of course.
Recently commissioned by the International Mission Board, Alabama native Russ is preparing to leave for parts unknown — publicly unknown — that is. He will move to a country as a last frontier missionary — a missionary who cannot be identified with his or her specific work due to security concerns.
Last frontier missionaries must remain anonymous in missions publications and prayer lists.
Challenging work
Russ will work in a mountainous area as a church planter. His work will primarily involve an unreached people group.
Russ said he recognizes the challenges of the last frontier missionary. “You have to be really sensitive to the leading of the (Holy) Spirit. There are times to be bold in sharing the faith and times to be cautious,” he said. “And there can be hostility to the message.”
The remoteness of Russ’ assigned area is another challenge, but it is a challenge he is excited about. For in his new profession as a full-time missionary, he will combine his two great passions: Jesus Christ and wilderness training.
He said he is looking forward to using his wilderness skills to trek into the remote areas where Jesus’ name may have never been spoken.
Russ recalled a volunteer missions experience that cemented his calling to the missions field in 1999. As his team traversed a rough and remote area, it began to rain hard. Suddenly, the group began to sing, and as Russ recalled, “I thought to myself, this might be the first time God has ever been praised in this place.”
Russ traces his missions call all the way back to his Boy Scout days. At age 15, while camping in North Carolina, he encountered a Southern Baptist missionary. They casually discussed his work.
Russ recalled, “It’s one small conversation, but it’s one I have always remembered.”
The Boy Scouts also planted the seed for Russ’ love of the outdoors. Trained as a wilderness instructor, he has earned the senior instructor pin, given to those who have logged more than 500 days leading trips in the wilderness.
Fulfilling career
Russ describes wilderness training as “a great passion” and has spent as many as 200 days a year living in the wilderness and leading excursions in the 1990s.
After graduating from college with a degree in corporate finance, Russ worked in banking.
However, the business world did not fulfill this adventurer. “I remember sitting on the steps of the house I was renting and talking to God about where my life should go. I wanted to be able to look back on my life and see how I had served God and people.
“For me that wasn’t going to take place in a traditional setting,” Russ said. This led to his decision to leave banking for the Peace Corps.
While working with the Peace Corps, Russ was exposed to more missionaries, especially those working to translate the Bible. He said, “I learned that missionaries are just normal people who are following God’s call.”
But Russ’ mother, Virginia, would describe him as “exceptional” rather than simply normal. A Birmingham resident, Virginia is Russ’ biological mother. The two were reunited in 2000 for the first time since she gave him up for adoption at birth. Virginia, her husband and her other son have enjoyed a wonderfully close relationship with Russ since that reunion, so his moving overseas is bittersweet.
Virginia said, “I hate to lose him again, but he goes with my blessing. I gave him to God when he was born.”
Share with others: