Dudley C. Rutherford knew since the ninth grade that God had called him to become a pastor—well before he became leader of today’s 10,000-member Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, California (northern Los Angeles). As a third-generation preacher, he has been blessed with an amazing Christian heritage where his grandfather, father, uncles, brothers, and in-laws are all in the ministry. He has a passion for reaching the world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Dudley is an extraordinary, cross-platform communicator—he shares biblical and relevant messages via weekend church services and television, radio, and internet ministries. Many hearers have said jokingly that a close confidante must have given Dudley some insider information about their life, because it is as though he was speaking directly to them! Dudley credits the convicting truth of God’s word and the Holy Spirit. A dynamic convention and motivational speaker, Dudley has had the honor of serving as Vice President of the North American Christian Convention and the distinction of speaking for several professional sports teams. He was also a featured chapel speaker for the World Series.
In 1987, Dudley became pastor of Hillcrest Christian Church in Granada Hills, CA. Under his leadership, the church grew from 350 to 1,000 people. In 1995, God united Hillcrest with Baptist Shepherd of the Hills. The merger became the present-day Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch, CA, where Dudley is the senior pastor. Since that time, the church has grown to more than 10,000 members within 21 different worship venues each weekend, including four daughter churches and seven satellite campuses.
Dudley earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Ozark Christian College and his Master’s Degree in Church Growth from Hope International University. He also obtained an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from St. Charles University. His published works are Proverbs in a Haystack, Romancing Royalty, and Keeping a Smile on Your Faith.
On occasion, Dudley has been known to compromise his preaching voice by cheering for his beloved sports teams, the Oklahoma University Sooners, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the UCLA Bruins. It is at those times he believes in the soothing power of ice cream, golf, pumpkin pie, fishing, and Mexican food—not necessarily in that order. Dudley and his beautiful and patient wife, Renee, and their three, gifted children reside in Porter Ranch.
|
