Rusty was born and raised in central Illinois where he grew up attending church regularly. He had a religious experience in his teenage years, but it didn’t bring with it godly sorrow that leads to repentance. It wasn’t until his mid-20s that he repented of his sins and embraced the faith he grew up professing. Rusty continued to grow in the Lord and serve in the church, primarily in music ministry. Graduating from Bradley University in 2006 with a Bachelors degree, he married Jenny (2008) and continued serving while working a secular job. He began to feel a desire to pursue vocational ministry and found The Expositors Seminary, moving to Florida in 2014 and graduating in May of 2018. Before coming to Saving Grace he served as the Associate Pastor at Living Hope Community Church in Illinois. Rusty and Jenny have 2 children: Elliot (2019), and Simon (2021).