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Biography

            John David “Rusty” Williams comes to First United Methodist Church for his twenty-fourth year of Appointed Ministry.  He has served Cleo Springs, Granite/Carter/Willow, the Wesley Foundation at OSU, Wesley in Shawnee, and Good Shepherd in Yukon.  Prior to ministry, Pastor Rusty taught in Broken Arrow High School.

            Pastor Rusty was born in Muskogee and grew up in Braggs.  He attended Northeastern State in Tahlequah where he met and later married Shirley Goss.  Shirley has taught wherever Rusty was appointed and is now retired.  They have two children. Amanda Palafox and husband T.D. are in Coppell, Texas, where they are managers for Walgreens.  Seth is a student at Muskogee High School.

            After doing graduate work at the University of Tulsa, Pastor Rusty finally answered his call to ministry and graduated from Phillips Theological Seminary in Enid. 

Rusty’s hobbies include gardening, lawn care, walking, reading, country cooking, and perusing maps and house plan books.

            Rusty’s personal creed for many years has been, “I can trust in the real presence of the Risen Lord.” 

pastorrusty@fumcmuskogee.org

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Steve is a "life-long" Methodist and grew up in Muskogee, graduating from Muskogee High School.  He is a graduate from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford with a Music Education degree.  He was a public school band director for 17 years in Texas, Sallisaw, Ok., and at Hilldale Public Schools for the final six years.

Steve is in charge of the Activities Center and most any activity outside of worship.  He oversees all maintenance, scheduling, setup, security, and some of the ordering for the building.  He is actively involved with the music department and youth department, as well.  

Steve drives a charter bus part time and enjoys most any kind of travel, theater and music.

Steve and wife Cristi have three sons, Matt, Ryan, and Braden and two grandsons, Tanner and Griffin.

I graduated from Northeastern State University in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education.

I then began a 28 year teaching career, 27 of these years were with Muskogee Public Schools. I taught all age levels from Kindergarten through Twelfth grade as well as teaching in the Alternative program for troubled youths.

In 2006, after much prayer, I enrolled at Phillips Theological Seminary.   I am currently in the process of getting a Master of Arts and Ministry in Culture Degree and hope to, some day, become a Chaplain.

My work at FUMC has allowed me to assist families who are currently facing a crisis. It is very rewarding to visit with them, to pray with them and to pray for them.

 
In 2003 I helped start a Cancer support group, “New Days.” It meets once a month. The support group is a place where people share their journey. It is a group full of HOPE. and LOVE.

In May of 1975 I married Gale Culver. We had two sons, Wesley and Bart. Bart recently graduated from Northeastern State University and is currently working full time in Muskogee, and also part time at Coweta United Methodist Church. In May of this year, Wesley's life, here on earth, ended way too soon. 

We don't always choose the path God puts us on but I know He is always with me.  One of my prayers is that I can continue to listen to and follow the path that God wants me to follow.

Blessings to all,

Cindy Culver