Rusty was ordained into the Christian Ministry in 2008 and holds a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Counseling and a Doctor of Ministry degree in Church Development. A former youth minister, Rusty was diagnosed in 2009 with a rare disease (a spinal cord tumor) that has left him disabled. He now devotes his time to healing both his mind and body. Through the practice of self-hypnosis and mindfulness, he is able to work through many of the debilitating effects of the disease.
Rusty has spent his entire adult life helping others. Before starting a 25-year career as a highly decorated police officer (retiring as a detective), Rusty became the youngest paramedic certified in his state when he was accepted into that training program right out of high school. During his tenure in both professions, he was an instructor and board member for state organizations and presented workshops around the country. As a clinical hypnotist, Rusty worked with people to help them overcome life challenges. He is an internationally known hypnosis instructor and former producer and host of a national weekly radio show on mindfulness and hypnosis.
Rusty now devotes his time as a police chaplain and enjoying his family. And writing.
Rusty considers himself to be the luckiest guy in the world: He is the father of two amazing young men, two wonderful daughters-in-law, two grandchildren, and the husband of a beautiful woman, Elissa, who deserves sainthood! Because of his disability, gravity and Rusty have a love-hate relationship; his children and wife have picked him up when he was down – both literally and figuratively – more times than he can count, and he is forever grateful they are in his life. He and Elissa live in southern New Jersey, where they love spending time with their pets and enjoying the possibilities waiting around every corner of this journey called life.
In 2014, Rusty and Elissa started the Barefoot Ministries to help others who are suffering, either physically or spiritually.