Summer Russell is a native of Maryville, Tennessee and now resides “just up the road” in Townsend, TN with her two sons (Jetson 17 and Kizer 16) and husband (David Murrell). She professed Jesus as her Lord and Savior at six years of age and was raised in Rocky Branch Missionary Baptist Church (Walland, TN), where her grandmother played the piano and her grandfather pastored for over 20 years. Growing up, Summer’s heroes were ministers, missionaries, and teachers, which you might suspect from a quick glance at her educational pursuits. Summer graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature in 2001 and a Masters of Science in Secondary Education in 2002. In 2010, she began pursuing a degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and graduated with a Masters in Christian Leadership in 2016. In 2018, she earned an Educational Specialist Degree from Lincoln Memorial University. Summer has spent most of her career teaching and coaching basketball at Heritage High School, her alma mater. 

While enjoying her career as a teacher and coach, Summer also worked with FCA, taught Bible studies, spoke at retreats, volunteered as a Blount County Sheriff’s Office chaplain, and served her local church in a number of capacities. As opportunities in church ministry grew, Summer’s passion grew for leading people to love God deeply through the study of Scripture. This passion caused Summer to transition from a full-time public school teacher to a full-time church staff member in 2022.

Summer is drawn to the church’s mission of making disciples and believes disciple-making occurs best when believers invest their lives into one another’s. Her guiding verse is 1 Timothy 1:5 “Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.” Summer and her family are thankful to be a part of East Maryville Baptist Church and consider the church’s fellowship as one of their greatest blessings.