My name is James Russell Lanier. My parents gave me the nickname Rusty at birth. Almost no one knows me other than Rusty. My parents are James and Helen Lanier, and I have one sister, Janet. Taylorsville has been my home for my entire life except for about 6 months when my wife Lynn and I lived in Cartersville.
I am married to the former Lynn Wolfe. We were married February 15th, 1986, here at Bethel Crossroads Baptist Church.
We have two adult children, Jennifer and Jamie and one grandson, Grayson.
I currently have the honor and privilege of serving as the Associate/Outreach Pastor here at Bethel Crossroads.
I was saved by God’s grace June 16th, 1985, here at BCBC because my girlfriend, Lynn, invited me to church.
Lynn and I answered the call to lead the Youth (teenagers) here from 1997 until 2002. I was ordained as a Deacon here at BCBC August 12th, 2001.
The Lord moved us from BCBC in 2002 over to Taylorsville Baptist Church. While at Taylorsville Baptist we were very active serving as Sunday School teachers, Children’s Program leaders, I was Brotherhood Director and eventually we were leading the Youth (middle & high school) Department.
During our time at TBC and a few years before (9 years) while leading the children’s and youth programs, I was running from the call to preach. Finally on May 9th, 2004, I finally surrendered and answered God’s call for me to preach. I preached my first message on June 13th, 2004. I was Ordained by Taylorsville Baptist Church into the Gospel Ministry January 29th, 2006. I served as Associate Pastor the until 2021. During the Covid crisis the Lord was in the process of moving our family again. We came back to BCBC in early spring of 2021. We felt like we were on an almost 20-year mission trip just a couple of miles down the road.
I am a 1984 graduate of Rockmart High School and Lynn is a 1985 graduate of Rockmart High School. I have numerous professional certifications related to the various careers I have had the opportunity to be a part of. A few that I am most proud of are, I was a 20-year Georgia State Certified Fire Fighter and Emergency Medical First Responder. I am a certified Site Safety Supervisor through the National Center for Construction Education and Research. I left the Fire Department in August of 2007 at the rank of Seargent due to a career ending injury. I was classified as disabled in July 2014 because of nerve damage I received during back surgery.
The Bible verse that I go to most often is Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” My family has had its share of hills to climb and valleys to cross and this verse has always brought us comfort and understanding that even in the rough times there is always something good to come of it. Something that we can praise God for.
For fun I love to cook, ride the lawnmower, fish, watch farming and music videos on YouTube, spend time with my family and hang out with my best friend, my grandson Grayson.
I look forward to what the Lord has prepared for us here at BCBC! I am so honored that He’s letting me be a witness of it.