Above: Kerry and Mary Russell at Kerry’s retirement reception on Dec. 16. Photo by Shelley Urton.

Kerry Russell, who served on Oklahoma Baptists staff for more than 38 years, will retire at the conclusion of 2021. Russell, who had announced his retirement earlier in the year, had served as state convention Chief Financial Officer for the last 15 years.

From left, Leslie Osborn, current Oklahoma Baptists chief financial officer, and Russell talk with former Oklahoma Baptists executive director-treasurer Anthony Jordan at the reception. Photo by Brian Hobbs.

As Oklahoma Baptists’ CFO, Russell oversaw Cooperative Program giving, all aspects of the budget and finances, as well as gave leadership to the convention Finance Group.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve the Lord by serving Oklahoma Baptists,” Russell said during a Dec. 16 retirement reception at the Baptist Building in Oklahoma City.

Throughout his tenure, Russell helped ensure financial stability for the state convention, a time span which includes ups and down in the Oklahoma economy. Whenever supervising Cooperative Program dollars given by Oklahoma Baptist churches, funds donated to Falls Creek or Baptist Disaster Relief, or managing accounts, Russell brought attention to detail and a vision for the ministry mission.

Oklahoma Baptists Finance Group, from left, Osborn, Sandy Delsigne, Megan Willman, Carol Lewis, Russell, Kerry Urton, Kent Gamble. Photo by Shelley Urton.

Among his many accomplishments, Russell recently led the convention to enable churches to remit their Cooperative Program giving electronically, allowing funds to be put into the mission field even more quickly.

Among those speaking at the reception were Baptist Village Communities President Bill Pierce; retired Oklahoma Baptists Executive Director-Treasurer Anthony Jordan Anthony Jordan; and retired Senior Associate Executive Director of Oklahoma Baptists Ron Fannin.

Kerry Russell and his family. Photo by Shelley Urton.

Pierce, Jordan and Fannin praised Russell for his faithful and loyal service and his ministry heart. “Kerry always served with complete integrity, and he served in a way that helped our churches be even stronger in Gospel work.”

Many past and present work colleagues attended the reception, as did members of Russell’s family and also members of the Sunday School class Russell teaches at Oklahoma City, Southern Hills, where he serves as a deacon. He and his wife Mary have four grown children and two grandchildren.