Russell "Rusty" Penney
Senior Pastor
Rusty assumed the Senior Pastorate of PVBC in 2011. He and his wife Joann have been married for 31 years and have three adult children. Joseph (with wife Angela and daughter Hazel), Hannah Lang (with husband Andrew), and Micah.
Rusty is a graduate of Whitney High School ('79), Texas State University, B.A. ('84), and Tyndale Theological Seminary MA. ('89), Th.D. ('99). Joann and Rusty have a combined 31 years experience on the mission field . Rusty served as a professor at both Tyndale Theological Seminary and at Hebron Theological Seminary (Bolivia) as a professor, headed the graduate program, and served several years as president. He has written on theological, and mission topics in several books and theological journals.
His passion is teaching and preaching God's infallible Word and helping people understand it and walk in it, loving His family, and loving His wonderful church family.
Rusty is a graduate of Whitney High School ('79), Texas State University, B.A. ('84), and Tyndale Theological Seminary MA. ('89), Th.D. ('99). Joann and Rusty have a combined 31 years experience on the mission field . Rusty served as a professor at both Tyndale Theological Seminary and at Hebron Theological Seminary (Bolivia) as a professor, headed the graduate program, and served several years as president. He has written on theological, and mission topics in several books and theological journals.
His passion is teaching and preaching God's infallible Word and helping people understand it and walk in it, loving His family, and loving His wonderful church family.
Dr Jonathan Schultz
Pastor of Christian Education
Jonathan and Susan Schultz have been married for 30 years and have served at Prairie Valley Baptist Church since 2020. Jonathan has served in churches since 1993 in various positions including Youth Pastor, Assistant Pastor, Senior Pastor, Young Adult Pastor and Men's Ministry Leader. At PVBC he has served as Young Adult Leader and led our Music Ministry since 2022. Jonathan holds degrees in Theology, Pastoral Ministry, and is presently pursuing a degree in Theology and Pastoral Counseling. from Liberty University. Jonathan has also studied Law, Business, Economics and History and lectures as varies universities in Texas.
Jonathan is an exceptional Bible teacher with a tremendous desire to see believers know and live out the deep truths of God's Holy Word. Having grown up as a "pastor's kid" he has known and been challenged to live out his faith most of his life. He has a deep love for the Lord and the humility of a servant.
Jonathan is an exceptional Bible teacher with a tremendous desire to see believers know and live out the deep truths of God's Holy Word. Having grown up as a "pastor's kid" he has known and been challenged to live out his faith most of his life. He has a deep love for the Lord and the humility of a servant.
Pastor David Burkett
Pastor of Mission and Outreach
David and Nicole have been married for 26 years and have served at PVBC since 2019. They have three adult children. Hunter (with wife Jaedyn and son Grey), Kara Burkett, and Kate Eller (with husband Jacob).
Throughout David's ministry he has served as Sunday School teacher for college/career, young adults, and adults. He has led men's ministry, been the Youth/Children's Minister, involved in bus ministry, trained in CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship), been involved in a 2 week mission trip to Guatemala, and led missions trips to Dallas, Alabama, and Hillsboro.
David holds a Bachelors of Ministry from Tyndale Theological Seminary and has pursued a Masters Degree in Church Planting from the same institution. He has previously served as Pastor of Christian Education for PVBC. David is also a veteran fireman with the Waco Fire Department holding the rank of Lieutenant, having served for 26 years.
David is also an exceptional Bible teacher being extremely gifted in taking the complicated doctrines of Scripture and teaching them in a simple way with practical application.
Throughout David's ministry he has served as Sunday School teacher for college/career, young adults, and adults. He has led men's ministry, been the Youth/Children's Minister, involved in bus ministry, trained in CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship), been involved in a 2 week mission trip to Guatemala, and led missions trips to Dallas, Alabama, and Hillsboro.
David holds a Bachelors of Ministry from Tyndale Theological Seminary and has pursued a Masters Degree in Church Planting from the same institution. He has previously served as Pastor of Christian Education for PVBC. David is also a veteran fireman with the Waco Fire Department holding the rank of Lieutenant, having served for 26 years.
David is also an exceptional Bible teacher being extremely gifted in taking the complicated doctrines of Scripture and teaching them in a simple way with practical application.
Chris Eller
Youth and Family Ministry Director
Chris and his wife Devon have been married for 30 years. They have been blessed with 8 wonderful children: Justin, Jacob (with wife Kate), Joshua, Jaxon, Jessica, Jadon, Jenna and Jordan. Before coming to PVBC, he served in Youth and Children's ministries for over 20 years. This includes therapeutic foster care in which they were blessed with the opportunity to parent and counsel 23 foster children over the course of 12 years.
Chris attended Hill College where he graduated with a nursing degree, and has taken several courses in Christian counseling, as well as behavioral intervention, conflict resolution and behavioral modification geared toward troubled youth. Chris has a passion to share the truth of God's Word with our youth and their families, as well as strengthening the family unit by having parents directly involved in the discipleship and spiritual maturity of their children in our youth ministry.
Chris attended Hill College where he graduated with a nursing degree, and has taken several courses in Christian counseling, as well as behavioral intervention, conflict resolution and behavioral modification geared toward troubled youth. Chris has a passion to share the truth of God's Word with our youth and their families, as well as strengthening the family unit by having parents directly involved in the discipleship and spiritual maturity of their children in our youth ministry.
Joann Penney
Children and Family Ministry Director
Joann Penney is wife of Pastor Rusty. She has a Bachelor of Science degree (with an Early Childhood Education endorsement) from Taylor University (1984), has studied on the graduate level at both Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (1988) and Tyndale Theological Seminary in theology and Christian counseling. She spent 17 years on the mission field in Eastern Europe and Bolivia. She served as Dean of Women at Biblical Academy LOGOS in Bulgaria and homeschooled her three children.
Joann has a passion for teaching Biblical truths and godly living to children in a way and on a level that they can understand. A systematic and chronological study through the Bible permeates our Children's Department. One can also find much emphasis on godly character and holy living as truths of the Word of God are applied to everyday life.
Joann has a passion for teaching Biblical truths and godly living to children in a way and on a level that they can understand. A systematic and chronological study through the Bible permeates our Children's Department. One can also find much emphasis on godly character and holy living as truths of the Word of God are applied to everyday life.