The Journey - St. Louis

Rusty Maple

Education
University of Books
Family
Married to Kimette. Children - Kelley & Tony, David & Emily and Jesse. Grandchildren - Kelton, Adalena, Ava and Barrett Russell.

What is your favorite bible verse?
I Cor 2:2 - "For I determined to know nothing among you except Christ and Him crucified." That scripture reminds of the heart of the Gospel - Christ and His extraordinary accomplishment on the Cross.
What is following Jesus like these days?
Following is Jesus is the epi-center of my life. It helps me spring out of bed in the morning and is the anchor for my life in the midst of challenge.
How long have you been at The Journey?
4 years
What ministry are you involved in?
I am one of the Campus Pastors and presently involved with the staff and those who help lead the West County Campus.
What is hard and/or good about serving at The Journey?
It's very good, the people of The Journey. A small but important parcel of the "people of God" for the city of St. Louis. I appreciate the dedication of the both the staff and the volunteers striving together. The difficulty I find is the "black hole" of church work. It's unending and can be all consuming, but then we are called to pour ourselves out.

Books: They are intercourse with great minds! Can't get enough of them. Here are just a few of my favorites: "The Cross Of Christ" - John Stott; "The Incomparable Christ" - John Stott; "Will" - G. Gordon Liddy; "Leaders" - Richard Nixon; "Undaunted Courage" - Stephen Ambrose; "Flying Colors" ; "My Friend Leonard"; "Demons In The Freezer"
Films: Pulp Fiction, True Romance, Sense and Sensibility, Impromptu, After Sunrise, Belle Neuse, Lust For Life
Music: Bob Dylan captures me like no other. Apparently he also captured the ear of Eric Clapton who said "after hearing Dylan all of my music became boring." And Bono who said he would be delighted if he could but carry his guitar case. Dylan's music from his early twenties which is full of raw voice and Shakespearean lyrics to his latest written in his 6th decade life and has been described as a mellow bottle of vintage red wine - "is all good.' Beyond that - Mozart, Chopin, Beethoven, especially Chopin "who lived his life at the keyboard."

What is your vision for the West County Campus? I envision our Campus as an army of people working together, functioning as a team, to lift hurting people and make our small part of the world a better place - with the imprint of the Gospel. We step through one door often in ignorance and unprepared and yet God takes our small efforts and pops open doors leading down unexpected hallways for us to work effectively, bringing glory to Him and help to people.
What have you done that others would not have expected, to look at you? I have been on two authentic cattle drives. Driving cattle from the dust and heat of Cody, Wyoming up into the snow capped mountains for one week at a time is grueling and exhilarating. I apparently don't look like the Marlboro man but have fantasties that I am.
What is your most memorable travel experience? Kosovo, weeks after the war ended. I accompanied the head of Service International on a fact finding trip to ascertain if our group could be of service to the Albanian people who have endured ethnic cleansing. I was privileged to return and work there on 3 subsequent trips, as was my entire family. My oldest son, David, remained in the country for months in a less than desirable environment to help re-build and serve the victims.