Pastor Bob Rutta grew up in West Virginia in the U.S. He trusted Christ as his personal Saviour at eight years of age.
When he was 18 he surrendered to the Lord's call to the ministry and transferred from the state university that he was attending so he could begin his training at Bible College.
While in Bible College he met and married his wife Diana. During the time when Bob and Diana were engaged they felt the Lord's call to go to New Zealand for ministry.
Bob has served in full time ministry in New Zealand since 1988 - first planting a church in New Plymouth and then moving to Dunedin in 1998 to serve at Community Baptist Church.
Bob and Diana have four children: Robert Jr, Benjamin, Elisabeth, and Sarah.