Staff

LEAD PASTOR

Rusty serves as Lead Pastor for Liberty Baptist Church after ministering as pastor of Youth and Education from January 2004 to April 2008. Rusty received a B.A. in Religion (specialization biblical studies) and M.A. in Professional Counseling from Liberty University, a Masters of Divinity in Advanced Biblical Studies and a Ph.D. in Biblical Theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Rusty is married to his wife, Melissa, and they have two sons, James and Thomas.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR

Ishmael serves as associate pastor for Liberty Baptist Church after serving more than 800 churches through the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia for 13 years. Ishmael began his broadcast journalism career as a news reporter for WSET ABC 13 News in Lynchburg. God called him out of the news to ministry. The Lord blessed Ishmael with his wife, Sara, and four boys: Ethan, Jayden, Rylan, and Deacon. He holds true to the Gospel message of what Jesus shared with His disciples in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

WORSHIP PASTOR

Cliff serves as the worship pastor for Liberty Baptist Church as well as an adjunct professor of music and applied voice at Liberty University where he is currently pursuing his Doctor of Worship Studies degree. Originally from the Detroit area, Cliff has led worship ministries in churches in Florida, Michigan, and Virginia over the past 25 years. His passion is to see the Church live out John 4:23: Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. Cliff and his wife, Brenda have been married for 31 years and have three children, Cliff III, Breanna, and Michaela and two grandchildren, Cliff IV and Caelynn.

CHILDREN’S DIRECTOR

Chris has the awesome privilege of serving as the Children's Ministry Director at Liberty Baptist Church! He is a Massachusetts native, but moved to Virginia after graduating from Liberty University in 2006.  In the spring of 2007, he married his amazing wife, April, and they came to Appomattox in 2009. They are blessed to be the parents to their two daughters, Lily and Holly, and their son, Josiah! Chris loves serving in KidMin, using his God-given talents and energy to help kids know, love, and serve Jesus for the rest of their lives!

Hebrews 12:1-2 - "Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

YOUTH PASTOR

Tommy serves as Youth Pastor for Liberty Baptist Church. He is a third generation Pastor and has served in children's, youth and adult ministries over the past 20 years. Born and raised in Virginia, Tommy has been married to the love of his life Valerie for 29 years and they have three children who love the LORD. Twin boys Jeramiah and Jacob and a third son Joshua.

"And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve;"..."but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."  Joshua 24:15

HISPANIC PASTOR

David teaches Spanish at Liberty University where he has served since 1976. On August 4, 2019, he started Nueva Visión, the Spanish ministry at Liberty Baptist Church. Consisting primarily of Honduran immigrants, this church features a solid core of individuals who attend regularly and participate consistently both at church and through home Bible studies.

HOPE MINISTRY COUNSELORS

Josh and Amanda received their Masters Degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University and currently work as resident counselor's at a local outpatient office. The couple is newly married and live in Lynchburg with their adopted pup, Lilo. Josh and Amanda are excited to bring their heart for mental health to Hope Ministry. They believe true healing can happen when we face the painful realities of our stories while holding tight to God's promise to make all things new.

OFFICE MANAGER

Born and raised in Appomattox, Ann graduated from Appomattox County High School and received her B.S. degree in Psychology from Longwood University. After spending 21 years in a corporate office, she recently joined Liberty Baptist Church as the Office Manager. Ann is married to her husband, Adam, and they have one son, Brice. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and is now looking forward to becoming an aunt in 2022!

“Be strong and of good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Deuteronomy 31:6

SOUND OPERATOR

Joining the LBC family in 2019, Joe has been serving primarily as an audio engineer for the church. He also programs and manages other aspects of the media team’s equipment, including some lighting, building control, and stage set deign. Joe is originally from a DC suburb in Southern Maryland, but has been in Lynchburg since 2011 when he attended Liberty University. Joe holds a Bachelors degree from LU in Project Management and has continued his education though industry specific trainings. Joe is married to Kristen and has three children, Gideon, Marcee, and Jaime.

GRAPHIC DESIGN / CONTENT CREATOR

Scott is an Appomattox native. He attended Appomattox County High School before receiving his bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from Liberty University in 2007. Scott wears many hats for the tech team, but primarily creates all of the print and digital content used in booklets, flyers, service graphics, and more. Liberty Baptist Church is special to Scott for many reasons. This is where he met his wife, Libbie. Together, they have a young daughter, Penelope, who loves the children’s programs at Liberty.