Associate Pastor
Elder Dionte “Donnie” Futrell is the fifth child born to Alton Futrell, Sr. and Betty Futrell on October 24, 1986. He was raised in the City of Suffolk and graduated from Nansemond River High School and has since matriculated at Old Dominion University, Norfolk, Virginia. Elder Futrell serves faithfully at St. Paul Baptist Church, under the leadership of Bishop Clarence V. Russell, III and Pastor Jaimi Russell, where he became the percussionist several years ago. He started accompanying the Music Department on two Sundays each month. As his gifts began to develop and as his relationship with God began to grow stronger, he heard the call of God into the ministry of the Gospel. It was on January 21, 2008 that Elder Futrell preached and the anointing on him was so strong that Bishop Russell licensed him that evening. His walk with God and the evidence of the Gospel being preached that evening bore witness with the Spirit of God in Bishop Russell ; due to the faithfulness he displayed in his calling, this man of God was ordained as an Elder on January 22, 2012. Elder Futrell has operated in various leadership roles since his tenure at St. Paul. He helps to oversee the Audio Visual Ministry and has been promoted to Minister of Music. He has been instrumental in the development of the Music Department as they help to usher in the presence of the Lord during each worship experience. He has served as the Site Camp Director of the C.H.A.M.P.S. Summer Camp for two years and also helped to facilitate the O2 Summer Camp for teens in 2011. He is also active in the lives of the youth, serving as the facilitator and mentor with the Y.E.S. Club at Nansemond Parkway Elementary School. Elder Futrell launched St. Paul’s new youth worship experience, 806 Lincoln & Praise, in January 2013. This worship is designed for teens and young adults, ages 13-30 which is held every 3rd Saturday. As a humble servant of God and His people, he also functions as an adjutant to Bishop Russell and is willing to step up to do what is necessary to forward the Kingdom of God. Elder Futrell is happily married to the love of his life Frances Y. Futrell, who has served faithfully with him in ministry in the past and is now serving beside him as he serves as an associate pastor as St. Paul Church.
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Lady Fran Futrell
Minister Fran Futrell
Frances Y. Futrell is a young anointed woman of God who loves the Lord. She was born on January 12, 1987 in Portsmouth, VA and is the oldest of seven children born to Kenneth and Rhonda Butts. She attended Franklin Public Schools in Franklin, VA. She graduated with a bachelor of arts in Psychology in 2009 from Norfolk State University and obtained a master’s degree in Community Counseling from Regent University in May 2013. She is currently pursuing her licensure as a professional counselor. ‘Fran,’ as she is affectionately known, gave her life to God as a teenager. Being reared in the church, she found herself serving in the choir, usher, youth, and other ministries. In January 2011, she joined St. Paul Baptist Church and preached her initial sermon on December 14, 2014 subsequently receiving license to minister the gospel. She currently serves in ministry alongside her husband, Pastor Dionte Futrell at St. Paul Peninsula Church in Newport News, Virginia, a site plant of St. Paul Church in Suffolk under the leadership of Bishop Clarence V. Russell, III. Minister Fran also serves part of the IMPACT Youth Church to promote the development and empowerment of the young people. She also serves as praise and worship leader at the Newport News site, is part of the celebration choir and is a former children’s church leader at St. Paul Suffolk. She has served as a mentor at Nansemond Parkway Elementary school with the YES Club, which seeks to empower young ladies to make healthy life choices and promote great character that will allow them to access opportunities, both now and in the future. Fran has been described as a woman with a beautiful smile and a big heart. She is a mentor, encourager, friend and confidante. Most importantly, she loves the Lord and strives to please Him in every area of her life by living according to the Word of God. Her favorite scripture is Lamentations 3:22-23 "It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness".