Russell is the father of four married sons, grandfather of twenty-one, and great-grandfather of five. He is a graduate of Crown College with a BA in Bible and Simpson University with an MA in Ministry. He raised his family on Kodiak Island, Alaska where they enjoyed outdoor activities such as salmon, halibut, and king crab fishing, deer hunting, and hiking in the mountains. After moving to Texas, Russell's wife was killed in a car accident. In 2008, he married Joy, who is the mother of a son and daughter and grandmother of seven. Today, Russell and Joy enjoy walking, reading, gardening, and riding their motorcycle through the Hill Country of Texas, and traveling to other destinations around the country. Russell has been in pastoral ministry since 1975. In February 2020, Russell received a degree of Doctor of Theology from North Central Theological Seminary.