About The Author
R. Rising is my “pen name,” but I’m known by many as just “Russ,” a short nickname for the formal John Russell Fisk. I am retired after several years of ministry, education, and various work with Veterans. During many of those years, I often found myself directly and indirectly giving encouragement, comfort, and biblical counseling to others. I am still involved with that in retirement, and now that I have the time, others noticed my posts and encouraged me to write.
My undergraduate degree is in Education, and I hold two graduate degrees: M.A. in Biblical Counseling and Ed.S. (Educational Specialist). I also studied through the National Veterans Training Institute, which collaborates with the University of Colorado at Denver. I am a U.S. Army Veteran and served in the Republic of Panama during the tumultuous years of now forgotten villain General Manuel Noriega.
I live in the “middle of nowhere” in northern Pennsylvania, which I dearly love as I grew up here. It’s quiet and serene where I’m only disturbed by deer running through my yard. I serve in our country church where the Bible is still preached and people know your name, or in my case, nickname, formal name, and pen names. This year I have preached several times in four area churches.