Rural Advancement

Join us as our host Joe Epley walks through highlights from the book  Small Church Essentials by Karl Vaters. This book is a great resource for practical tips on leading small town ministry. This book highlights good strategies for church health, and proper metrics to measure success that don’t revolve around the numbers.   You can purchase  Small Church Essentials or Karl Vaters’...

Join our host Joe Epley as we dive into a prayer that comes to us from the Catholic tradition. The Litany of Humility is designed to inspire humility in our life as well as a road map to pray God’s blessing on others.   You can read the full litany here.   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or if you would like to give feedback or ideas, you ca...

Pastors Dereck and Gail Owen share about their journey in a small town over the course of two decades, highlighting their experience as both youth and lead pastors during that time. Join us today as they unpack topics such as how to lead a growing church when a town is in decline, how to create opportunities for students, and how to discover significance in part 2 of this conversation!   As a...

Pastors Dereck and Gail Owen share about their journey in a small town over the course of two decades, highlighting their experience as both youth and lead pastors during that time. Join us today as they unpack topics such as small town best practices for youth ministry, how to walk through the loss of a student, and how to create a congregation that empowers and embraces young people. This week i...

Pastor John Murdoch shares insights on the Holy Spirit, Prayer, and God’s faithfulness through 52 years of ministry. His experience and wisdom in working with youth, lead pastoring, and planting churches created a fun and enriching conversation!   As always, if you would like to connect with the show for encouragement, or to give ideas or feedback, please contact our host Joe Epley at j...

This week we get a chance to listen in on a conversation between Holly Davis and Julie Pratt, hosts of the Next Gen Leader Podcast and employees of the national office of the Assemblies of God, and our host Joe Epley as we discuss principles of effective rural youth ministry!   You can check out all episodes of the Next Gen Leaders Podcast here .   As always, if you would like to contact...

Pastor Bill Lanes is passionate about walking through pastoral transition. Last week we began a conversation around the topics of how to handle pastoral change as a minister, as a congregation, and as believers in general. Tune in this week to hear the final conclusions!   If you would like to access some resources for conflict resolution click here !   As always if you would like to rea...

Pastor Bill Lanes is passionate about walking through pastoral transition. Join us over the next two weeks as we discuss how to handle pastoral change as a minister, as a congregation, and as believers in general.   If you would like to access some resources for conflict resolution click here !   As always if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with feedback or...

Pastor Nick Rogers jumps on Rural Advancement to share his experience in small town ministry. In two parts, we will cover everything from community and economic development, the importance of county museums, church reputation, ministry transition, and benevolence. Tune in this week to hear the second half of this great conversation!   As always, if you would like to connect with the show for...

Pastor Nick Rogers jumps on Rural Advancement to share his experience in small town ministry. In two parts, we will cover everything from community and economic development, the importance of county museums, church reputation, ministry transition, and benevolence. Tune in this week and next for this great conversation!   As always, if you would like to connect with the show for encouragement,...

Pastor Andy Addis is the pastor of a rural multisite church in Kansas and the host of a podcast called The Rural Pastor Podcast. Join pastor Andy and host Joe Epley as they discuss what it looks like to collaborate with other churches in small town settings.   Also, check out Pastor Andy’s podcast at Theruralpastor.com or wherever podcasts are found!   As always, if you want to con...

Join our host Joe Epley as we look back at 2024 and reflect on how to apply wisdom to our lives. Hopefully you are inspired and encouraged to continue pastoring in your rural context. As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with feedback or ideas, please contact our host at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Pastor and Dr. Martin Giese has spent 40 years in rural pastoral ministry, and has served the last 8 years as the president of Oak Hills Christian College. Dr. Martin has a passion for helping rural pastors understand the ways in which different cultures affect the rural church. Tune in today to hear part 2 of how his insights on how you can navigate these cultures when they collide!   As alw...

Pastor and Dr. Martin Giese has spent 40 years in rural pastoral ministry, and has served the last 8 years as the president of Oak Hills Christian College. Dr. Martin has a passion for helping rural pastors understand the ways in which different cultures affect the rural church. Tune in today to hear part 1 of how his insights on how you can navigate these cultures when they collide!   As alw...

Join us today as Keith and Samantha Jones talk through the second part of a conversation on what it is like to move to rural setting. They will also highlight the biblical and practical outworkings of following the call of God, and ultimately Samantha will share on her book God and Trauma: The Lessons I’m Learning , which can be purchased at the link below:   God and Trauma by Samantha...

Join us today as Keith and Samantha Jones talk through the first part of a conversation on what it is like to move to rural setting. They will also highlight the biblical and practical outworkings of following the call of God, and ultimately Samantha will share on her book  God and Trauma: The Lessons I’m Learning , which can be purchased at the link below:   God and Trauma by Samantha...

Pastor Mike Clarensau has had a diverse ministry career, serving as pastor, Sunday school director, church health director, church consultant, and statistician. Tune in this week and check out last weeks episode to hear insights from his ministry journey!   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with feedback and ideas, please connect with our host Joe Epl...

Pastor Mike Clarensau has had a diverse ministry career, serving as pastor, sunday school director, church health director, church consultant, and statistician. Tune in this week and next week to hear insights from his ministry journey!   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with feedback and ideas, please connect with our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.eple...

Pastor Austin Epperson talks about rural ministry, highlighting how to have an effective men’s ministry, the importance of having serving as a foundation, and some of his favorite book recommendations! Tune in!   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with ideas and feedback, contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Pastor Anthony Caiola has a passion for creating church systems that work! Tools and systems that help the church thrive are a key building block for a healthy church. Anthony especially cares about seeing rural contexts integrate healthy church systems that can empower them to do effective ministry.   If you would like to reach out to Pastor Anthony for more information and support on this t...

This week is part 2 of our discussion of the book Flyover Church by Brad Roth. This book is yet another insightful take on rural ministry, arming pastors and leaders with both the right mindsets and practical tools to continue doing rural ministry well. Today we will hear from the author as he breaks down some of the core principles from the book!   If you would like to buy  Flyover Church yo...

This week and the next we will be discussing the book  Flyover Church by Brad Roth. This book is yet another insightful take on rural ministry, arming pastors and leaders with both the right mindsets and practical tools to continue doing rural ministry well. Today begins with reflections on the book from our host Joe Epley.   If you would like to buy  Flyover Church you can purchase it here ....

Pastor Tim Rust has sent 50 years in business and ministry learning many good lessons through the low seasons of frustration and spiritual warfare. He currently pastors in Nebraska and runs the Nebraska Cowboy Churches Association.   As referenced in this episode, here are links to both of the books that encouraged pastor Tim in a dark time: “Dark Night of the Soul” by St. John of...

Pastor Tony Vietti talks in this episode about healthy culture, developing leaders well, and adjusting to the pace of rural life as someone coming in from the outside. Pulling from a long tenure at Best Buy and his own spiritual journey, tune in to hear some awesome insights!   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with feedback and ideas, contact our hos...

Pastor Andrew Jergenson started his career within the structure of the Walmart corporation and has since transitioned to pastoring. Tune in today to hear how these two worlds have influenced one another as pastor Andrew shares insights on culture, team building, and church hospitality. As always, if you would like to reach out to the show with ideas or feedback, or for encouragement, please contac...