God’s Heart for Your Story The story of Tracey Lynn Russell ’86 and how God is using her to reach others.
I
“
s God in this story?” Tracey (Gompf) Russell ’86 wondered out loud as we began this interview.
“I was always happiest whenever I had the chance to use my voice,” said Russell. “I’m pretty sure my only detention was for talking too much in class!”
We were talking about the pandemic and how we often don’t understand until much later how God uses circumstances in our lives to ignite change in us and others.
After high school she attended FSU, and like many young people, struggled in her Christian walk and how to live her faith in this new college setting.
Russell couldn’t imagine when her parents enrolled her at Westminster in fifth grade that God was already preparing her to share her story. At that time, it would have been impossible for her to understand how her teachers, new friends, and environment could so profoundly shape her. For the first time, Russell had a teacher who was also a Christian and shared her faith with students. Even though she grew up in a Christian home, her teachers at the local public school did not talk about God the way her parents did at home. “I don’t think parents realize that being part of the Westminster family is a gift they give to their children that will last their entire lives,” said Russell. “The investment that teachers make in their students and the friendships that I still have today, so much of that started at Westminster.” God’s preparation of Tracey continued in high school as she joined choir and was drawn to vocal performance. She was also a cheerleader and involved with student government.
12
WESTMINSTER CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
After college, she knew that she couldn’t be “good” enough on her own, so she recommitted her life to Christ. After earning an undergraduate degree in communications, she pursued a master’s degree in occupational therapy with the goal of helping those in need. Her plan was finally coming together. She had graduated from college, had married the love of her life, and was following the Lord. What could possibly go wrong? How could this not be the plan God had for her? “As soon as we were married, my marriage began to fall apart. My husband really struggled. He was a nice guy from a Christian home, but he didn’t want to commit to being a Christian,” Russell recalls. “This was a tipping point in his life, and he didn’t want to do what it would take to save our marriage.” She fought for her marriage for a long time, even through the birth of their first son. However, she finally surrendered her husband and her failing marriage to God after reading “Love Must Be Tough” by James Dobson. Still in disbelief that her marriage was not in God’s plan, Russell and her husband divorced.
