After discharge from the U.S. Navy in 1976, Dr. Rutt pursued a career as a flight instructor and commercial pilot before preparing for the ministry. He received an A.A. degree from Bethany Lutheran College in 1980, a B.S. from Minnesota State University in 1981, and the M.Div. degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in 1986. In 1997 he was awarded the Doctor of Missiology Degree with a concentration in the area of Theological Education. He served as a missionary to Guatemala, Central America from 1983 to 1987 and from 1991 to 1995 where he was involved in church planting, theological education, and served as the missionary counselor for the LCMS mission to Guatemala. In 1995 Dr. Rutt joined the faculty of CTS, until he accepted a call in 1997 to the position of Area Secretary for Latin America/Caribbean with LCMS World Mission. He served in that function until returning to CTS' faculty in June of 2000. He has written several articles on mission history and practice and is currently the editor of the Communicator, the regular newsletter of the Lutheran Society for Missiology. Dr. Rutt also serves as a consultant and liaison for LCMS World Mission to Southern Latin America. He is called upon regularly to consult and speak on mission issues throughout the U.S. and Latin America. He is serving as Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions.