SENIOR PASTOR RUSSELL (RUSTY) PENNEY

Rusty assumed the Senior Pastorate in 2011. He has been married to Joann Penney since 1994 and is the father of three adult children [Joseph Penney, formerly sergeant in the U.S. Army and presently in training with Quanta Services, Inc., 26, Hannah Penney, 24 (Enrollment Officer, LeTourneau University, Longview, TX) and Micah Penney, 23 (Computer Programmer with Absolute, Longview, TX). Rusty has been in ministry since 1988 serving in the areas of youth ministry, missions, and pastoral ministry. Rusty is a graduate of Whitney High School (’79), Texas State University, B.A. in Biology (’84), and Tyndale Theological Seminary, M.A. (’89), and Th.D. (’99).

Rusty taught at Tyndale Theological Seminary (Ft. Worth, Tx.) from 1992-1993, and 1995-1999. He served as a missionary teaching Bible and theology by extension in Bulgaria from 1993-1995. Rusty and his family served the Lord as missionaries with Avant Ministries at Seminario Teológico Hebrón, in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. There Rusty served from 2000-2009 at different times as Professor, Head of Graduate Department, and President (Rector). He presently serves as an adjunct professor at Hebrón and as Chancellor of the school.

Rusty is passionate about family, teaching and preaching the Word of God, and discipling believers.

Rusty has been blessed to be involved in several writing projects including authoring: Equipping the Saints – Discipleship Manual. Ft. Worth: Tyndale Seminary Press, 1996-1997. Contributed to, Dictionary of Premillennial Theology. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 1996. A Biblical Handbook to the Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Kregel Publications, 1999. The Biblical Theology of the Church. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 1999. The Fundamentals of the 21st Century. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 2000. A Handbook to the Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 2000. And as general editor and author of Crisis In Missions: A Call to Return to the Biblical Mandate and Mission. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. 2000.