Rusty Savage '02: A Career Full of "Friends"

A graduate from Malone's Bible and Theology program, he grew to love the Friends denomination through all of its shared connections with the Evangelical Friends Church - Eastern Region (EFCER).

At Malone, Savage grew and was challenged as a result of the University's commitment to integrate faith and learning. Inspired, and eager to share the Gospel, Savage has since continued a robust Christ-centered career as a pastor, providing oversight for a missions-sending agency, serving as the Director of Multiplication for the EFC-ER, and now as professor of Theology and affiliate professor of Quaker Studies at Barclay College, a Quaker college in Haviland, Kansas. 

“Malone helped me to think more holistically about my faith and the ways it interacts with all areas of life and every intellectual pursuit,” said Savage. “I was challenged at Malone to love God with heart and mind by professors who were both scholars and warm-hearted followers of Jesus. I was also encouraged to ask difficult questions about my faith by fellow students who were pursuing an authentic life in Christ alongside me. Malone played an integral role in helping to prepare me for a life of service and ministry.”

When reflecting on his time at Malone, Savage also experiences moments where unfailing faith rejoices in both fun and challenging times. He credits his longtime Malone friends, who he made cherished memories with, for these important lessons on faith. 

“Without question, the best part about my years at Malone were the friendships that I made and the great people who became part of my life,” said Savage. “I have fond memories of life in upper and lower Penn, intramural football games, sled-riding down the big hill, and epic capture-the-flag battles with other floors. I remember lots of trips to Milk and Honey for ice cream, Celebration worship in The Barn, and praying together as students amidst the confusion and uncertainty of September 11th. They were full years with a lot of joy as well as some genuine challenges. I remain exceedingly grateful for the years I spent at Malone.”

Savage continues to lead by educating the Christian thinkers of the next generation, at Barclay College. 

“Over the years, I’ve been privileged to live out that sense of calling in several diverse ways,” said Savage. “Serving as a pastor in local churches, helping to provide oversight for a missions-sending agency, offering leadership as a denominational ministry director, and now teaching students as a professor at a Christian college. I am really looking forward to the opportunity I have in this role to invest in the lives of students and help prepare them for ‘effective Christian life, service, and leadership’ at Barclay. My goal is to serve them well and display the beauty, truth, and goodness of Jesus in and outside of the classroom.”