Rusty Edwards

Rusty Edwards is a hymnwriter who was born in Dixon, Illinois, on January 22, 1955. He is a retired ordained minister. He and his wife Lori have been married for 40 years, and have two sons, Benjamin and Ian. In 2015, he received the Doctor of Divinity degree from Lutheran Southern Seminary at Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Over two dozen of his hymns have been published in 70 books used by 36 denominations in Australia, Canada, China, England, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, and the US. He has published five collections of hymns, including The Yes of the Heart (with foreword by Chick Corea), Grateful Praise, As Sunshine to a Garden, Each Breath Every Heartbeat (Abingdon Nashville) and Bidden, Unbidden (Abingdon Press,.His sixth book will be entitled Uncommon Mercy with co-writers from fifteen countries. Dave Brubeck wrote a tune for his song "As the Moon is to the Sun", which is included in the 2008 book, Dave Brubeck at the Piano. His best-known songs so far are: "We All are one in Mission", "Praise the One who Breaks the Darkness", "Now it is Evening", "To a Maid Engaged to Joseph", and "Each Breath, Every Heartbeat" and “Grace, Point Us Toward God (co-written by Jen Butler.)He is an honorary citizen of Austin, Texas, and a Kentucky Colonel. He was 2009 visiting fellow at Yale University Institute of Sacred Music and is 2012 Visiting Fellow of Africa University in Zimbabwe. He has also led workshops in Brasil, Russia, and Sweden.