Introduction
Rev. Steve Rutt is the founding pastor (vicar) of Saint Andrew's Reformed Episcopal Church (REC) in Phoenix, Arizona, which came into existence as a mission parish of the Diocese of Mid-America in the autumn of 2005. Saint Andrew's REC organically developed out of the context of a newly organized seminary training center, Andrewes Hall -- a 'daughter' seminary of Cranmer Theological House from Houston, Texas. Andrewes Hall (named after Bishop Lancelot Andrewes) was organized in Phoenix in 2002, as a cooperative effort of REC leadership from the Diocese of Mid-America and Covenant Renewal Ministries. Rev. Rutt serves as its resident principal. Saint Andrew's REC provides a local setting for students from Andrewes Hall to develop their ministry gifts within the life of a mission parish. After 30 years of ministry experience in various countries, Rev. Rutt brings to the members of Saint Andrew's and, the students at Andrewes Hall, an Evangelical ministry which is enriched with multi-ethnic experience. Rev. Steve Rutt is married to his college sweetheart, Sue, and enjoy 30 years of marriage together. Steve and Sue have four children: Shannon (29), Sherri (27) and her husband Bram, Steven Paul (25), and Seth (19).
Rev. Steve Rutt on his background & experience
My life was rooted in Evangelical Christianity since early childhood. My parents sought to practically apply the Bible to every area of life, and that included how they brought me up in the faith. Dedicated, baptized, and a member of the Elgin Bible Church, served as my theological upbringing. Also, as a young boy, my parents attended Moody Bible Institute in Chicago (a college that for over 50 years was influenced by Reformed Episcopal leadership). In 1968, our family moved to Phoenix. As a high school student in the early 1970's, I participated and assisted my parents in statewide projects for Child Evangelism Fellowship throughout Arizona. This included serving as a camp counselor and inner-city ministry in Phoenix.
After graduation from high school in 1972, I attended Elim Bible Institute in New York (1972-1975), and Sweetwater Bible College to finish a bachelor's degree in theology. (1976). After graduation I was ordained and licensed as a minister under Sweetwater Church and Ministries in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1977, I received a call to serve as an assistant for a Canadian minister in Southern Ontario, Canada. My responsibilities consisted of providing leadership for a group of house-churches. I also implemented biblical training for a local Catholic charismatic group, with permission from the parish priest. I also served as chaplain for a provincial boys correctional institution, by conducting Sunday services and classroom teachings on a weekly basis.
Our family returned to Phoenix in 1979, as Sweetwater Ministries commissioned me to plant a campus ministry at the Arizona State University. Over the space of two years, I networked with various Christian campus ministries, in addition to mentoring young leaders. Our ministry focus led to preparing various students to serve as student government leaders at ASU.
Then, from 1981-1982, Sweetwater Church and Ministries sent our family as missionaries to assist a church and Bible College in Whangarei, New Zealand. I served on the pastoral staff of Christian Renewal Fellowship (CRF). This included preaching and teaching for various "sister" churches throughout New Zealand, as well as CRF. I enjoyed teaching- Systematic Theology, New Testament Greek, and the Epistles of St. Paul for Emmanuel Bible College.
After returning back to the USA, I accepted a call to serve as senior pastor for Valley Christian Fellowship, in Camp Verde, Arizona (1983-1989). During those years we also administered a Christian school on the church property. Our children attended this school, and had the opportunity to have Dad as their principal and teacher.
Our family moved to Northern California in 1989, where I accepted the position of principal at a Christian school. The school enrolled students from pre-school through 6th grade. During our time of residence, I also served as a teaching elder for Church of the Redeemer.
Upon our return to Phoenix, Arizona in 1992, my responsibilities were directed toward Northwest Christian Academy (affiliated with Sweetwater Ministries), where I taught theology, Bible courses, and apologetics. Also, I was given the opportunity to coach basketball and soccer. In addition to teaching high school, I enjoyed teaching evening classes in Old Testament studies for Sweetwater Bible College.
In 1993, my wife and I founded Covenant Renewal Ministries, Inc. (CRM). Our focus served to facilitate teaching ministry for churches overseas. This has enabled us to facilitate summer mission trips to Europe with high school students and young adults, providing leadership training and preaching. In the summer of 1994, I spent 2 months in Holland, teaching and preaching in 12 different churches throughout the country. I've also had the privilege to organize some other ministry teams for Europe (including: Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Czech Republic and Holland) during the summers of 1996 through 1998. In 1998, I taught Christology and Apologetics for Vilnius Theological College in Vilnius, Lithuania. In the summer of 2000, my wife and I flew to Bosnia, Finland and Holland, where we visited missionaries and preached in various churches. CRM.produces a newsletter called - the Facilitator and is also the curator for the David Chilton Memorial Library.
In 1995, I accepted a position as part-time administrative pastor for Living Streams Church. By 1997, my status changed to full-time administrative pastor and director of an internship program. In 1999, Living Streams Church commissioned my wife and I to plant an inner-city church in west Phoenix.
In 2002, my ordination was regularized by the Reformed Episcopal Church, when I submitted to Holy Orders in apostolic succession. I currently pastor two congregations: Westfork Church and Saint Andrew's Reformed Episcopal Church (REC), a new mission where I serve as Vicar. We have been able to develop a cooperative relationship with two other churches which also use our church property for their services. These churches are Hispanic and Persian. The church property is also used to train students who attend Andrewes Hall (a REC seminary).
In terms of degrees, I earned a Th. B. in Theology from Sweetwater Bible College, and a Master of Arts in Theology (M.A.T.) from Fuller Theological Seminary.
Minister Mark Shields
Hello, my name is Mark Shields. I was born and lived in Southern California until 2003. The last eighteen years I was in California I worked for the Post Office as a mail carrier. In October 2003, I moved with my wife Brenda to Arizona to attend Andrewes Hall Seminary in Phoenix, with the intention of being ordained in the ministry of the Reformed Episcopal Church. Six years later I was ordained as a Deacon on January 31, 2010 and serve as minister in charge at St. Andrew's REC in Phoenix. Previous to my ordination I had been assisting Rev. Steve Rutt at both St Andrew's REC, and Westfork Church in Phoenix. I am also interning with Pastoral Care Associates, and am involved with various assisted living facilities, primarily with Glendale Care Center. I am married to Brenda and we are blessed with three grown sons and four grandchildren.
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