Meet our Pastor and our Elders

Reverend Jason Rust, Pastor

Pastor Rust loves Jesus and His bride, the church, and he wants his family and friends to love them, too! He loves being husband to Rebecca and father to Titus and Adeline--he considers this the greatest privilege a man could ask for. He enjoys his work at Shepherd of the Hills, his time on ski patrol at Ski Apache,  and his rejuvenation with friends and family surrounded by food, drinks, golf, the outdoors, and telling stories. His favorite church potluck dishes are always the desserts, which he enjoys FIRST! His favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38-39: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

John Brown, President of Church Council

A long time member of SHLC and a member of many abilities, John loves walking. In fact, he walks to and from Men's Bible Study at El Paraiso Restaurant twice a month. That's about 13 miles one way! John excels at washing dishes both at home and at church following fellowship functions. He is also proud that he is the District's oldest acolyte. Members count on John to help all functions at SHLC to run smoothly as he works quietly and efficiently behind the scenes. As for John's favorite potluck dish, he loves all of them and is thankful to all of the cooks who prepare them! His favorite Bible verse is Luke 23:43: "And he said to him, 'Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.'"

Head Elder Greg Haussler

Greg has been with Shepherd of the Hills since the beginning. Born in Oklahoma, he was raised and educated in Nebraska and Texas. He worked as a part the Department of Agriculture (Soil Conservation) in New Mexico from 1967 to retirement in 2003. His hobbies include traveling, watercolor painting, and gardening. Greg's favorite church potluck dishes are always found at the dessert table! His favorite Bible verse is Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell[f] in the house of the Lord forever."

Elder Karl Troeger

Karl has been an elder with Shepherd of the Hills for quite some time. You can always count on seeing he and his wife, Diana, helping out with both inside and outside upkeep for the church. Karl was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He has always loved the outdoors, but now that he is retired he especially enjoys golf. Karl has been married to his beautiful bride for eight years this February. His favorite church potluck dish is Maryann Schweer's brisket! The Bible passage that means the most to Karl is Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life[a]? 28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

Elder Greg Gray

As a retired science teacher, Greg has always enjoyed working with students, playing with his children and now his grandchildren. It has given him a reason to never truly grow up. Greg enjoys working at church--whether helping out when asked or when he sees a need. He loves the outdoors and hiking which spurred he and his wife to move to New Mexico while he still has the ability to do that. His favorite church potluck dish include all of the meat dishes, especially those little sausages swimming in barbecue sauce! His favorite Bible verse is Romans 8:38-39: "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

Elder Curt Beale

Curt wears many caps in our SHLC family. He is both our newest elder as well as our beloved treasurer who keeps our church running. He loves both those jobs as well as helping out wherever he can. In his spare time, Curt is an avid golfer and loves being here in Ruidoso where he gets to enjoy that sport year round. Curt also loves to watch sports, especially anything Houston related! He loves potlucks and his favorite potluck dish is enchilada casserole. Curt's favorite Bible verse is Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

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