Her Legacy Is My Inheritance

The platform was festooned with yellow and orange balloons. After the service, everyone was invited to the fellowship hall for an ice cream social. Yellow and orange cloths adorned surfaces. On top of each table was a copy of Missions Mosaic along with board games. Of course, balloons decorated the fellowship hall as well.

It was one of the most joyous celebration of life services I have ever had the privilege to attend. We worshipped. We prayed. We reflected. We remembered an amazing Christ follower. We laughed. We ate ice cream. The pastor said of Russell Drinnen, “Her life was lived in pursuit of the Good Shepherd.” And so it was.

I never had the joy of serving with Russell on any staff, yet my life was inextricably linked with hers.

She graduated from the WMU Carver School of Missions and Social Work. I graduated from the same school at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

She worked with Illinois WMU. I served with Illinois WMU. Her greatest joy was being on staff at WMU camps at Lake Sallateeska Baptist Camp. So was mine.

She poured into two women, Evelyn Tully and Becky Arnett. Those two women poured into me. I would not be who I am today without that place and those two women.

In February, we launched the 2024 Mission Matters Most campaign during the birth month of the WMU Foundation. We wrap up the campaign in May, the birth month of WMU.

Russell’s heartbeat was fulfilling the mission of God. After Illinois, Russell served with Florida WMU and then started a preschool learning center at her church.

Having a heart for missions, Russell went on several short-term missions trips, cooking for the teams, teaching, and doing crafts with preschoolers. Her obituary reads, “Russell was a committed, faithful servant, ready to help where needed. She inspired many to be on mission for God and to be faithful to serve.”

Russell gave generously in life and death to support WMU making disciples of Jesus who live on mission.

I will always be grateful for the life of Russell Drinnen because her legacy is my inheritance. The influence of Russell’s life will reverberate throughout all eternity.

Would you give to the WMU Vision Fund to lengthen the legacy of someone, past or present, who invested in you?

Father,

Since 1888, You have been raising up missions leaders through WMU. May we never stray from Your commission to take the gospel to the ends of the earth until all have heard. You are worthy of our time and talents, our sacrifices, our very lives. Help us be faithful to the mission.

In Jesus’ name, amen.