Pastor Rusty and Prophetess Lisa Echols have been married for 28 years.  They were born again on the same day in 1985, which was the turning point in their failing marriage.  The Lord restored and healed them, then He called them to ministry.  They have served as Praise and Worship Leaders, Sunday School Teachers and in other leadership roles within the church.  Their desire to worship the Lord is higher than any vision or mission they have ever accepted.  As they teach and train others to "know Him in the power of His resurrection", they take joy in knowing that God is pleased as His children are stirred with a hunger for His righteousness.

Rusty has been ordained as Sr. Pastor of Joy Springs Ministries, Inc., and is strongly anointed as he plays the song of the Lord on his guitar.  Many have expressed the refreshing, demon-chasing power of the anointing released upon him and others as he strums to the heartbeat of God.  He is a gentle giant, and is a father to the fatherless.  He desires to see the emotionally and spiritually afflicted set free, and has a deep desire to see physical healings.  He is anointed to pray for the sick, and he teaches the word with compassion.  Pastor Rusty also flows in the prophetic giftings both with musical instruments and the spoken word of the Lord.  His musical talent is expanding, and we will soon hear the sounds of the Judah praise that has been stored up for such a time as this.  His passion to see others enter into the holy of holies runs deep within him, as He sees the cloud move and he follows.  His flow comes from a heart that is grateful for the deliverance he has received, and the longing for more of His Savior.  He has been delivered from a deep-seated fear that kept him in a corner of intimidation, and far from the place of liberty the Lord has called him to inherit.  He is fulfilled as he leads others to that promised land.  Together with his wife, like Joshua and Caleb, they see the giants as the Lord's opportunity for increase!

Lisa has been ordained as a Prophetess, and truly has the Father's heart for His people.  Having been set free from the many scars of her past, she desires to see others liberated by His word and His presence.  Over the past 20 years she has ministered in many places, the desire of the Father to love His children, and she intercedes for the lost, the broken and specifically, those in the body of Christ.  Religious spirits have fought to silence the word of the Lord that is like a fire shut up in her bones.  The Lord has sustained her, and continues to open doors that she may deliver His four letter message to all, LOVE.  The boldness with which she ministers is not something in the natural that she has carried, but it is as a result of her fervent love for her savior, and it is manifested because of her willingness to yield to Him.  She struggled many years as a female minister, overcoming accusations.  All the while, the Lord was developing her on the backside of the desert.  In the Spring of 2007, the Lord placed a new robe of authority upon her life, and began to reveal the next level of anointing she would walk in, which is Apostolic.  Prophetess Lisa gave birth to JSM in 1994. 

Together, the Echols' have ministered to marriages in distress, and have seen the fruit of their labor.  Because so many sins touched their lives before Christ became their Lord, they have aided others affected by adultery, abortion, divorce, sexual misuse and abuse within the church.  They believe that nothing is too hard for God, and that because He came to set the captives free, everyone should take advantage of His gift!

Anointed together to lead others into the holy of holies, they sing and worship under a powerful anointing that breaks yokes of bondages, and releases the prophetic flow to God's people.  They equally share a passion for His presence, and it is demonstrated also through their giftings in Mime, Expressive Worship, Creation of banners and flags, instruments that exalt, and allegorical writings.  Because of their yieldedness to the One they love, He is able to pour His love and power through them to reach others in need.  The Lord has given the couple witty senses of humor that have helped many to laugh again.  "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine!"  Hence the name of this ministry, "Joy Springs".