JESUS Film Harvest Partners (JFHP) and Global Missions have announced the appointment of Rusty Robbins as the new executive director of JFHP. Robbins has served as the Eurasia Regional JESUS Film coordinator since 2018, in addition to serving as a global missionary in the Church of the Nazarene.

"Over the last 17 years of working alongside JESUS Film teams, I have the honor of knowing hundreds of thousands of people have been introduced to Christ," Robbins said. "I look forward to the future of the ministry as we seek to do more and go further, helping these new believers grow in their faith walk as we partner with discipleship and local districts."

"I am thrilled by the appointment of Rusty Robbins to the position of Executive Director of Jesus Film Harvest Partners," said Jim Ritchie, Global Missions director. "I believe this is an appointment for such a time as this. I have known Rusty and his wife Diane for some time now as missionaries on the Eurasia Region, and they both serve Jesus and the church with passion, integrity, and enthusiasm for missions. Rusty has great experience in JFHP and brings this to the role along with humility, pastoral grace, and strategic, visionary gifting. I know God is going to use Rusty in this time, along with his JFHP team, in a wonderful way."

Robbins follows Brian Helstrom, who served with JFHP for 27 years.

"The ministry of JESUS Film Harvest Partners has allowed me to follow the calling God gave me and to help others succeed with what God is calling them to do," Helstrom said. "I found that when I helped others succeed, I was fulfilled. I am grateful that I have been able to help others succeed for the last 27 years."

Helstrom will remain on assignment as a missionary, helping raise funds for Global Missions initiatives.

"I give thanks to God for Brian's long and faithful ministry, leading and inspiring JESUS Film Harvest Partners, and I am excited for him as he continues to minister as a missionary in a key area for the church's mission," Ritchie said. "It is my prayer and great expectation that through JFHP's partnership with the local churches, districts, fields, and regions across the world, many more people will get the opportunity to hear about Jesus and to respond to his gracious offer of salvation."

Rusty and his wife, Diane, serve as global missionaries in the Church of the Nazarene. Together, they have served in Bangladesh and Germany before relocating to the United States for their new roles.

Recently, in the Eurasia Region, Rusty served as a field finance coordinator and oversaw the region's JFHP operations with a focus on the 10/40 window. 

An alumnus of Southern Nazarene University, Robbins initially earned a degree in accounting. After spending time in the health and telecommunications industries, he answered God's call to ministry on his life, where he directed the Bonita Park Nazarene Camp in Ruidoso, New Mexico.