Russell (Rusty) Pruitt

Heselton Baptist
Vanceburg, Kentucky 41179
740-464-9033

• Education: Bachelor's of Social Science; Bachelor's of Individual Studies with a concentration in long-term care
• Experience: Musician (drummer) for 63 years, and played professionally for 15 years; a Social Worker for the last 35 years; evangelized full-time for 3 years in a 6-state area; Carolyn and I started one church and then turned it over to another minister. I have pastored several smaller rural churches; we pastored Heselton Baptist, our last church, in Vanceburg, KY, for 13 years. I am also a songwriter and have had 15 songs recorded by gospel artists and groups. I have 63 original songs posted on SoundCloud, Russell Pruitt.
• Comment to those looking at my sermons: Use freely as the Lord leads. Please give accreditation if you quote me.
• Sermon or series that made a difference: The Doctrine of the Bible; The Origin and Nature of Man; The Origin and Nature of Man; The Study of God
• Family: Carolyn and I were married for 6 1/2 years. We were not Christians. We divorced and were apart for five years. The Lord saved us both, and He brought us back together. We have been married this time (as of this writing) 48 years! We have two adult children: David and Lisa, both of whom are happily married. We have one grandchild, Jenny, and two great-grandchildren.
• What my parents think of my sermons: They have both passed away, but I think they would be proud of them.
• What my spouse (really) thinks of my sermons: I am her favorite preacher!
• Best advice given to me about preaching: The three most important things for success in preaching are: prayer, prayer and prayer.
• Books that have had an impact: Knowing God, by J. I. Packer; The Sovereignty of God by A.W. Pink; The Attributes of God by A. W. Pink; Shall Never Perish by J.F. Strombeck; The New Testament Documents by F. F. Bruce; Tunesmith by Jimmy Webb; Fresh Wind Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala; Biographies of all the Founding Fathers; a biography of Matthew Carey; By His Grace and For His Glory by Tom Nettles;
• Hobbies: Songwriting, reading
• Something funny that happened while preaching: I was preaching about not letting the world shape us into its image, and referenced Romans 12:1, "...be not conformed to this world..." I said Paul was talking about detachment from worldliness. I am a former Hindu, and the Sanskrit word of detachment is vairāgya. Unknowingly, I misspoke and said, "That's what we need, more Viagra." I looked at my wife, and she mouthed, "You said VI-AG-RA," and drew her finger across her throat in a cutting gesture. I repeated it, but when everyone started laughing, I realized what I'd said, and corrected myself, using "vairāgya", but by then it was too late! I told them I needed Toe Floss because I have "foot in mouth disease."
• What I want on my tombstone: Rusty Pruitt: A disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ and a preacher of His Gospel.