BISHOP CLARENCE V. RUSSELL, JR., D. D.

Born to Clarence Vernie Russell, Sr., (Pastor of Union Baptist Church Shoulders Hill in Suffolk, Virginia), and Leonia J. Russell, he is the eldest of four children. He received Christ in 1965, and in 1971, he was called to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Having served as Youth Leader and Associate Minister at Union Baptist Shoulders Hill, Pastor Russell was a servant of the Lord from an early age. On March 21, 1984, God blessed the union of Mount Carmel Baptist Church with Pastor C. V. Russell, Jr. God's call for him to lead this church was evident in the fruit that followed.

In 1995, he was led and directed by the Holy Spirit to I Timothy 3. Having already been proven through his fruitful work and devotion to duty, and desiring, as he did, the office of Bishop, he assumed the title given by God's Word. In October 2007, Bishop Russell was affirmed into the World College of Bishops in the Lord's Church and ceremonially enthroned as the Presiding Prelate of Faith In Action Ministries International.

His many religious, professional and community affiliations include:

• Tidewater Metro Baptist Ministers Association
• Hampton Ministers Association
• Sharon Baptist Ministers Association
• Executive Board Member - National Baptist Congress, USA
• Member NAACP
• Founder, Carmel Christian Academy
• L. D. Britt, Community Service Award Recepient
  

Bishop Russell is a devout man of God and his love for Christ and for His Church is unlike any other. His tireless devotion and dedication exemplify what a strong man of God needs to be. He is a notable man who has and continues to make many contributions not only to the church, but to the community as well. Mount Carmel is blessed to have such a man in our family and as a leader.

Bishop Russell is a graduate of Western Branch High School in Portsmouth, VA. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology from Virginia State University, is a graduate of Moody Bible College, and has a Doctorate of Divinity from Richmond Virginia Seminary. Bishop Russell and his wife, Ronda, currently reside in Suffolk, VA They have three grown children and six grand-children.