Brian Rudesill, Senior Pastor

At age 14, Brian heard and understood about Jesus for the first time in his life. “Something happened that night. I was changed by a real God.” Later Brian was convinced God wanted him to become a Pastor. He attended Bible school and became a Senior Pastor in 1991 at age 20. This has been the greatest experience of his life. But his true love is his family. God has blessed Brian and his wife Cherie with five amazing kids and he loves being a dad.

Brian’s proudest moments include his first conference championship in wrestling, every time he held one of his kids for the first time and any time he’s out with his wife.

He can’t stand apathy among Christians toward people far from God or people in poverty.

He is a big fan of chocolate, the movie Saving Private Ryan and The Matrix and American Players Theater, being with his family, ANY kind of competition and learning all he can about leadership. His favorite book is Courageous Leadership by Bill Hybels.

Few people know that Brian is a HUGE fan of Def Leppard, his last holdover from his minor teen rebellion. He plays bass, electric guitar and is teaching himself drums. He’s also in the process of memorizing the entire New Testament by the time he’s 48.

Brian loves his job and feels blessed to be HVCC’s senior pastor. “I think we have one of the coolest churches ever! I've never been around such a sacrificial group of Christians...they will lay their lives down to serve others. It's so humbling.”

Jamie Johnson, Richland Center Site Director

Jamie was raised in a Christian home, and asked Jesus to be the leader of his life at age 7.  While growing up he enjoyed Christian music of the likes of Petra, White Heart, and Michael W. Smith. 

Jamie came to HVCC while visiting someone in Dodgeville and they were told to check out HVCC.  So off and on Jamie and his family would travel from Richland Center to Dodgeville, but were missing the community/fellowship connection.  They had said wouldn’t it be great to get the teaching and vision here in Richland Center.  Lo and behold, through God’s plan and will that has now become a reality for Jamie and his family.

Jamie was a teacher for 12 years where he earned his Master’s of Education and more recently obtained his Principal’s license through an administrative program he took.  Jamie has coached the Varsity basketball team in Richland Center for the last 12 years, while winning 2 Conference Championships.  He is Co-head Golf coach, and has been involved in the very successful girl’s volleyball program for 8 of the last 10 years.

Jamie and his wife Shari of 8 years live in Richland Center, where Shari now teaches in the Richland District.  She too has her Master’s Degree and her Principal’s license.  Shari is going on her 4th year of cancer and is hoping for a clean bill of health in 2008.  They have 2 beautiful children.  Jeron is 6 and Jaden is 2 ½.

Jamie enjoys playing many types of sports from volleyball, basketball, racquetball, to golf.  He is avid fan of the Packers, Brewers, Bucks and the Wisconsin Badgers.  He enjoys hanging out with friends and family.

Al Bauman, Leadership Team & Worship Team Member

Al was raised in a Lutheran church in southeastern Wisconsin, which his family chose because the pastor came to visit them. “No other church seemed to care whether we came to their services.” Al loves the people at HVCC, the friends he’s found and being part of a church that's alive with a true mission. 

Al was a teacher and a coach for many years. His team won 6 state wrestling championships while he was coaching, and he retired with the winning-est record in Wisconsin high-school wrestling. He has a master’s degree in molecular biology, studied at four different universities and did some guidance counseling for a few years. He was elected into several leadership roles as a teacher and a coach during a rapidly growing period in education and athletics. Leading and working with countless people and groups throughout his career helped Al understand how important Biblical principles are in dealing with others.

Al’s always been involved with music. He formed his first band at age 12 and put himself through college playing on weekends. He loves spending time practicing guitar.

Al enjoys following high school wrestling and NFL football, time with his wife Vivian and their kids and grandkids. And he’s written a children's science book. He’s also on the wrestling coaches association alumni, working on the history of wrestling in Wisconsin. 

Al says his wife of many years, Vivian, inspires him and has made him better than he really is. They have four children: Kristi (in NH with husband, Ken and 3 kids), Bobbyjon (in Cambridge with wife Renee and 4 kids), Jason in Orlando (getting married this summer), Jesse still in college at UW Platteville. Bobbyjon and Jason are both pastors.

Kevin Campbell, Leadership Team & Communications Team Member

Kevin’s childhood was nominally Catholic, but his family withdrew from regular church attendance by the time he was 12. As a sophomore in college, he was approached by people from the Navigators group who spoke about a personal acceptance of salvation by faith in Jesus. He attended one of their meetings--then backed away for a long time, because to him, their claims seemed arrogant, exclusive and arbitrary. When he began to speak with Christians again two years later about their faith, he was ready to accept it.

HVCC’s come-as-you-are approach appeals to Kevin, as well as the idea of intentionally presenting the news of God’s love in a way that makes sense to people who need to hear it. As a member of HVCC’s Leadership Team, Kevin loves seeing lives changed by faith in Christ.

He is inspired by true Christian love on display, as well as good fellowship and watching small children interact. One thing that bugs Kevin is “talking without communication.”

Kevin and his wife Michelle live in Mount Horeb with their daughter, Audrey, age 10. Their son Ian (23) and his wife Joanna live in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. And their son Geoffrey (21) lives in Eden Prairie, MN.

In his free time, Kevin likes going out with his wife Michelle, hiking, biking, jogging, riding his motorcycle, dinner with good friends, and playing soccer and ice hockey. Kevin admits to being much goofier than he lets on in public.

Carla Pustina, Worship Director

Carla began her worship career early on, leading worship at church at age 12. But when Carla grew up, she left the church after deciding it wasn’t relevant to her. Several years later, she became hungry to know and obey God while home taking care of her first three children. She surrendered her life to God in 1988 and hungered for time with other believers, so she started going to church again.

As HVCC’s worship director, Carla loves watching team members stretch and grow in their service here. God has always pulled Carla into opportunites to grow as a musician, even though she says she has almost no formal training. She’s always loved to sing and never desired an audience. 

In addition to her role at HVCC, Carla loves fresh carrot juice and cheesecake, the movie Brother Where Art Thou, John Piper’s books, cooking (as long as someone else cleans up), volleyball, the actress Sandra Bullock, and singer/songwriter Rich Mullins. Her favorite memory is turning up her “Heart” records and singing her heart out with Ann Wilson.

Her proudest moments are seeing God’s activity in her life, when her husband Karl asked her to marry him and watching their five boys grow up. She is inspired by her mom, the life her dad lived, beautiful sunrises, lakes, oceans, expressive dance and Psalm 119.
Carla adds, “If God can use me to serve the church in spite of and through my many weaknesses, He can use anyone!”

Janet Clark, Administrative Assistant

Janet grew up in a Christian home and thought that going to church on Sunday was good enough. She says that only later when she started going to HVCC did she understand what an amazing relationship she could have with God. She’s grown and changed so much because of what God has taught her in the last few years. HVCC makes her feel at home. Her closest family lives more than two hours away, but now she feels like she has family here.

As HVCC’s administrative assistant, Janet has the joy of seeing God’s work firsthand. He continues to amaze her daily with His love and grace, and always exceeds her expectations.

Janet starts to twitch when anything is unorganized, from files to rooms to people. She says her organization fettish drives Brian crazy! But she was not always so organized. She grew up on a farm and played in the mud like every tomboy does.

In her spare time she loves to scrapbook, and spend time with her husband Travis and 2-year-old daughter Grace, and their chocolate lab Cooper.

Janet finds joy in serving others, especially family and friends. If she could attempt any one thing, and KNEW she could not fail, Janet would own a dog kennel, raising Yellow, Black and Chocolate award-winning purebred Labs, training them to hunt and run field trails. For now, she has her hands full training Brian and the rest of the HVCC staff!