This husband and father of three, ordained minister and acclaimed singer/songwriter is persistently getting closer to that destiny. A striking contrast to the drug dealer lost in a wilderness of rebellion during his youth; today Russ is a living testament to God’s grace and mercy. He’s a man on a mission to share that Hope with the world.

Featured on more than 10 #1 hit singles over the years-including songs recorded during tenures with two of Christian music’s best-loved groups, NewSong and Truth-Russ’ distinct, soulful voice is instantly recognizable on Christian radio stations everywhere.

Ministry is what Russ is all about. Those who have heard his powerful testimony of searching for satisfaction in money and drugs until Christ ultimately transformed him know that his life’s calling is unquestionably purpose-driven.

Also an ordained minister, Russ feels that this vocation helps keep him accountable in his music ministry. “My ordination is a stamp of commitment from me to say, ’I’m answering a call that I know is there; I need to answer it with my whole heart, and I’m going to do that,” Russ states. “But it’s also a statement of commitment from my friends and peers that they will hold me accountable, pray for me, support me, and that they’re welcoming me as a viable minister.”

Above all else in this life, Russ focuses on making his wife, Mary, son Casey, and daughters Addy and Ana his top priority. “It doesn’t seem like success to me if the whole world loves you, but the people who love you the most don’t know who you are,” Russ says. “My kids are a beautiful gift from God, and my wife is an awesome gift and friend and my greatest supporter on this earth. To exclude them from the process would be my loss. I want to make sure that I keep building my relationship with my family and that I don’t miss out on any part of their development. I want to meet their needs and serve my family well. I live by the statement an old missionary said: 'the light that shines the farthest shines the brightest at home.’”

The Lee family is faithfully committed to their home church, New Vision Baptist in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Russ and Mary don’t underestimate for a single moment just how important it is to be plugged-in to their church family.

“The Great Commission was given to the Body of Christ, and the agent of the Great Commission is the local church and the individual believer,” Russ says directly. “He called us to have a support team around us, which is the local church. It’s so important to make a contribution to the people you’re expecting to make a contribution to you.”

When he’s not on the road, Russ is hard at work on the homefront. Whether it’s a morning walk around the neighborhood with Mary, helping with the kids’ homeschooling projects, a songwriting or recording session or leading worship at church, Russ is driven each day to leave a legacy for his family while glorifying God through his ministry.

“I think God’s working on a tapestry or a picture that my life is supposed to be, and I believe it’s supposed to reflect His glory,” Russ concludes. “I know I’m not a perfect picture yet, but I feel like if I allow God to work on me and through me that one day I’ll be able to stand before Him and hear Him say, 'well done’. That’s my goal-whether it’s running a record label, writing songs, being a Dad, hanging out with kids, or traveling to Iraq-whatever I do, I want it to help finish this picture.”