Rusty Edwards is a

hymn A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn ...

writer who was born in

Dixon, Illinois Dixon is a city and the county seat of Lee County, Illinois, United States. The population was 15,733 as of the 2010 census, down from 15,941 in 2000. The city is named after founder John Dixon, who operated a rope ferry service across the Ro ...

, on January 22, 1955. Dozens of his hymns have been published in 100 books in Australia, Brasil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, England, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, and USA. He has published six collections of hymns, including ''The Yes of the Heart'' (with a foreword by

Chick Corea Armando Anthony "Chick" Corea (June 12, 1941 – February 9, 2021) was an American jazz composer, pianist, keyboardist, bandleader, and occasional percussionist. His compositions "Spain", "500 Miles High", "La Fiesta", "Armando's Rhumba", and " ...

), ''Grateful Praise'', ''As Sunshine to a Garden'', ''Each Breath Every Heartbeat'' (Abingdon Nashville) and ''Bidden, Unbidden''. His sixth book is ''Uncommon Mercy'' was written 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", and "Each Breath, Every Heartbeat" and “Grace, Point Us Toward God (co-written by Jen Butler.) He was a Visiting Fellow at

Africa University Africa University is a "private, Pan-African and United Methodist-related institution." It has over 1,200 students from 36 African countries. It is located 17 km northwest of Mutare, Zimbabwe. It grants bachelor's, master's and PhD degree ...

in Zimbabwe in 2012. In 2015, he received an honorary

Doctor of Divinity A Doctor of Divinity (D.D. or DDiv; la, Doctor Divinitatis) is the holder of an advanced academic degree in divinity. In the United Kingdom, it is considered an advanced doctoral degree. At the University of Oxford, doctors of divinity are ra ...

degree from

Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS) is a theological seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and located in Columbia, South Carolina. It offers theological degrees. In 2012, it merged with Lenoir-Rhyne University, ...

at Lenoir-Rhyne University. He has also led workshops in Brasil, Russia, England, and Sweden.

External links

Page at Selah Publishing
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Rusty 1955 births Living people People from Dixon, Illinois Christian hymnwriters