Dudley Rutherford
By Ruth Schenk | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Senior Minister Dave Stone said the church is in for a treat when Dudley Rutherford, senior minister of Shepherd of the Hills Church in Granada Hills, Calif., preaches during
weekend services at the Blankenbaker Campus June 25 and 26.
“Dudley and I have been friends for a couple of decades,” Stone said. “He is one of the most inspirational preachers you will hear. He has helped build an exciting
congregation in the Los Angeles area with about 10,000 members. One of the things that stands out about his church is it is one of the most ethnically diverse
congregations I’ve ever been to. Somehow through God’s blessing and intentionality, they have been able to do a great job of reaching all cultures of people.”
Southeast Teaching Minister Kyle Idleman was on staff at Rutherford’s church before helping establish Real Life Church, a Los Angeles church plant of Shepherd of the
Hills.
“I was 21 years old when Dudley called and asked if I would help plant a church in Los Angeles,” Idleman said. “I moved to California not knowing anything. Dudley believed
in me and that was a huge encouragement. His bold preaching and commitment to God’s Word was a great influence on me. God has used him in some unique and
incredible ways, and I know that will be true when he preaches here.”
In 10 years, Shepherd of the Hills grew from a congregation of about 350 people to more than 10,000 people with 20 different worship services each weekend at four
daughter churches and four satellite campuses.
Preaching is a Rutherford family tradition, handed down from one generation to another.
Dudley Rutherford’s father was a preacher. So was his grandfather. His call to preaching happened after one of his father’s sermons. Rutherford describes it as “God grabbing hold of my heart.”
When he walked forward during the invitation, Rutherford’s dad was a bit puzzled. From his perch on the platform, it appeared that Rutherford had not been paying attention.
“Why did you come forward today?” he asked.
“I want to dedicate my life to being a preacher,” Rutherford said.
It has been his mission in life ever since.
Rutherford graduated from Ozark Christian College and earned a master’s degree in Church Growth from Hope International University and an honorary Doctor of Divinity
from St. Charles University.
Now he delivers sermons at weekend church services and through television, radio and Internet ministries.
He also speaks to professional sports teams and was the featured chapel speaker for the World Series.
Rutherford is the founder of CallOnJesus.com, an Internet ministry, as well as DreamofDestiny.org, a ministry designed to encourage ethnic diversity within churches.
His church is known for creativity and innovation in reaching the unchurched.
“Los Angeles is one of the most difficult areas of the country to start a church,” Rutherford said. “There are millions of things for people to do on any given weekend. They can
go to Disneyland one weekend and snowboard the next, take a short ride to Vegas or San Francisco. All kinds of activities compete with church. However, what we do have is
a lot of lost people who are hurting and have messed up lives. So as we find ways to minister to them, care for their needs and be a blessing to those who are hurting and lift
up Jesus and boldly preach the truth of God’s Word, I believe so many people will come that we’ll have to find a place to seat them all.”
Besides being a popular preacher, Rutherford is an author and the president of the North American Christian Convention this year.
He also has edited a new book, “Unleashed,” that has a chapter written by Stone.
It is based on Acts, when the church has an impact on the world by changing the culture from Jerusalem to Judea to Samaria and to the ends of the Earth. The book will be
available at all three campuses.
As the president of the North American Christian Convention July 5-8 this year, Rutherford chose the theme, “Unleashed,” which focuses on the incredible reach of the first-
century church in Acts.
Stone said Rutherford has pulled together “quite a lineup of speakers for the convention.
“The convention is just an hour and a half from Louisville, so I hope that many of our members will be able to attend for an evening, a day or the entire week.”