It has been an amazing journey thus far as I have watched God work in and through my life since childhood days in rural Newfoundland. At the age of 18 I moved to Winnipeg to pursue studies in Social Work. During this time that I grew in my passion to see the social and spiritual aims of The Salvation Army become more integrated in local ministry. It was here that I met and later married Shari – the love of my life for the past 20 years.
Prior to being commissioned as a Salvation Army Officer, I was employed as a Social Worker for several years (as a Child and Family Services Support Worker, a Community Services Facilitator, and then as Family Services Director in Chatham Ontario). After Commissioning we were appointed to the Toronto Harbour Light Corps were we were privileged to minister along side people whose lives were torn apart by various addictions.
After Harbour Light we were appointed as Training Officers in St. John’s Newfoundland. It was also during this time that I completed a Master of Divinity Degree from the University of Winnipeg. Then we were off to a new adventure with five years of ministry as Corps Officers at Weetamah followed by my current ministry as Distance Training Officer here at CFOT. I am so grateful to God for these fulfilling years of ministry, and for all the people He continues to bring into my life.
Shari and I have three wonderful and active boys at home (CJ, Gavin, and Brannon) who keep us busy with their various after-school activities. In my spare time I love getting my hands dirty in the garden or the tool shed building or fixing various projects.
Robert Russell
Captain
Distance Training Officer
