To Know Christ Better and to Make Him Known

From the Archives: Summer 2011

Written by Bud Russell

Knowing God and His Son is the greatest experience I’ve ever known! He has loved me and done so much for me. Ephesians 3:14-21 is a favorite scripture of mine.

Companion in Service

God has blessed me with a wonderful mate and, outside of my relationship with the Lord, Betty is the most important gift He has given to me. She walks close beside me in this journey. Although she is more comfortable working behind the scenes, she is a huge part of my service to the Lord.

Mentors in Christ

God began a great work at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in the early 1980’s under the ministry of Reverend Don Foster. I was called as the youth minister in 1984 and, other than the pastor, I was the only other person on staff.

Pastor Foster was a wonderful mentor and during his ministry many people came to know Christ as their Savior. Our next pastor, Richard Ratliff, had the heart of an evangelist and was one of the most humble men I’ve ever known. He was totally focused on Jesus and making Him known to others. I learned much about ministry from him.

In the years that followed and with the rapid growth of the church, I was given the opportunity to transition to become the Minister of Education and Administration. It was a hard decision to leave the youth ministry at that particular time since my two children were growing up and would be in youth, but I felt someone else needed to be the youth leader to them.

Our most recent pastor of 16 years, Allan Blume, has been a wonderful mentor and has helped me learn and grow in ministry.

To Know Christ and Make Him Known

A major turning point in my Christian walk came when God allowed me to go through MasterLife which is a 26-week course that addresses discipleship, living in real relationship with God through prayer, memorization of scripture, fellowshipping with other believers, and witnessing.

MasterLife challenged me and brought me to this: To know Christ better and to make Him known. That is my goal in my work and in my life.

God has blessed me greatly in my ministry over the years. One of the benefits of being at one place for a long period of time include the joy of seeing the kids I ministered to when I was the youth leader become parents themselves, see most of them stay connected to the church, and watch them become Christian leaders in their homes and their work places as well as the local congregation.

Some are deacons now and others have taken various leadership positions. They are leading their own families in worship and service to the Lord.

Reach, Teach, and Minister to People

In the education ministry we have three goals: 1) To Reach People, 2) To Teach People, 3) To Minister to People. It is all about people and telling them about Jesus.

The two things God loves the most are His word and people. What a great opportunity to be allowed to handle the two things God loves the most. There is no higher calling than to teach the word of God and that is my passion.