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Rusty + Jessica is a statement of family and ministry. Rusty and Jessica Rodrigue have been ministering in churches and through worship events for a number of years now. Their passionate abandon to worship the King of Kings has set them on a journey that includes ministering in a local congregation as well as touring shows with national acts including Tenth Avenue North, Jonny Diaz, John Waller and Mark Harris. The debut single from Rusty + Jessica, “All That I Need” is impacting radio now and going for airplay in early 2010. This precedes their new EP due Spring of 2010 and a national tour later in the year.

Rusty first met Jessica in High School when she called upon him to accompany her on piano for a choir concert. The rehearsals led to a friendship wrapped in music and later became the beginning of a life-long partnership in marriage and ministry. Jessica began attending Rusty’s youth group and he encouraged her to join the worship team on keys and later on vocals as she honed her skills. In turn, she encouraged Rusty to move to the front, from keys and drums to leading worship. As God often has ways to push us beyond our comfort zone, Rusty found himself leading worship at a youth retreat after the worship leader for the event became ill. Rusty soon became the worship leader for the youth band in addition to camps and special events at other churches.

Change for Rusty + Jessica was only beginning. They married in 1999 and were offered a ministry role in a church in North Carolina where their best friends had just joined the staff. Rusty and Jessica made two trips to North Carolina and were considering relocating from their native Louisiana for the position. “After the first trip, we were definitely moving...” says Jessica. In preparation for the move and the new ministry position, they began visiting area churches in Louisiana to experience what God was doing in other places and see if there were ideas they could take with them. One of the churches they visited was The Freedom Center and they immediately felt connected. God was stirring their heart that this was the place they were meant to minister, despite the opportunity with their friends in North Carolina. They began leading worship at The Freedom Center and were later offered staff positions as youth pastors as well as continuing their roles leading worship. As worship leaders, they were writing a number of original songs. As God continued to open doors for their music ministry, they were approached by an individual who was willing to underwrite an album for them at a major studio in New Orleans. The title track “God’s Romance” found its way to a local station, KAJN 102.9, where the song became the number one single for consecutive weeks. It was during this time that opportunities began to increase for Rusty + Jessica as a worship duo to go beyond the walls of their home church with regularity. After a short hiatus, building a house, and another child, Rusty + Jessica are continuing the journey with their new single, new project and increased touring schedule. 2010 is a season of growth and change for them as they move forward with the ministry God began almost 15 years ago as High School teens.