Back to Rurality

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, TJ Freeman interviews Bryce Asberg, director of a pregnancy resource center in Hillsdale, Michigan, about why the pro-life issue matters deeply for rural churches.  Bryce shares his background, his “boring” Christian testimony, and how his long-standing pro-life convictions led him into pregnancy center work. Together they discuss how abortion is now present...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman dives into the question, "Am I a Good Person?" Drawing from personal experiences and various Bible passages, he explores the struggle of living up to God’s standards of goodness. TJ explains that while humans are inherently flawed, salvation and the power to do good come from God's grace. He emphasizes the imp...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman interviews Rob and Amanda Miller, a couple who relocated to a rural part of Pennsylvania to farm. The Millers discuss their personal journeys, including the cultural shifts and personal growth they experienced moving from urban settings to a remote farm life. They share the challenges and rewards of rural living, emphas...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, Pastor TJ Freeman explores the significance of kindness as a representation of God's character. He shares stories about the challenges of being consistently kind and emphasizes that Christians, especially in small towns, are called to reflect God's kindness in their daily interactions. TJ discusses biblical principles that ad...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman addresses the importance of prioritizing responsibilities, especially when overwhelmed by every day challenges. He shares personal experiences and offers insights on how Christians in rural areas can find peace amidst chaos by trusting in God's sovereignty. Highlighting scripture, including Colossians 3:15 and Philippia...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman discusses the societal misconception that happiness can be achieved through external circumstances. He argues that true joy, which transcends fleeting happiness, comes from a relationship with God and the transformation of the heart through Christ. TJ addresses the influence of social media, the degradation of rural social f...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman explores the concept of Christian responsibility and how it can often be a source of spiritual guilt. He emphasizes that living out one's faith should be freeing, not crippling. TJ, a rural pastor, particularly addresses Christians in remote areas, discussing how their smaller communities mean they hold greater responsi...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses glorifying God in daily life, particularly within the context of small-town living. He shares his personal journey of understanding what it means to glorify God in all actions, even the most mundane, such as cooking or paying taxes. Using 1 Corinthians 10:31, TJ emphasizes how every action, when done with a...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman, a rural pastor in Pennsylvania, discusses how to turn to faith during difficult times and help others who come to you with their struggles. TJ is joined by fellow rural pastor Anthony Caiola. The conversation covers the responsibilities of being a Christian in a small town, including the importance of authenticity, bei...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary:  In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman explores leading and following, with a humorous and insightful touch on rural life. Drawing from Ephesians chapter 2 and Psalm 23, he emphasizes that Christians are called to follow Jesus, leaving behind the destructive influences of the world, the devil, and the flesh. He highlights the ongoing role of followers of Jesus i...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ, a rural pastor, addresses the challenges of living peacefully with others in small towns. He emphasizes the Christian responsibility to glorify God by maintaining harmonious relationships, even with difficult people. TJ shares personal anecdotes from his teaching days and references various Bible passages that advocate kindness, fo...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman discusses how to confidently know if the Holy Spirit lives within you. TJ addresses common misconceptions about spiritual experiences, Bible knowledge, and Christian duties. He emphasizes that true saving faith is found in trusting Jesus Christ alone. TJ explains that the presence of the Holy Spirit in a believe...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses the feelings of monotony and insignificance that can come with living in rural areas. Using personal anecdotes and biblical principles, TJ encourages listeners to recognize their unique purpose as representatives of God. He emphasizes the importance of living out the values of love, joy, and peace, and how t...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: TJ Freeman hosts Joshua MacClaren on today's episode of Back to Rurality, discussing how to use one's home and possessions to serve the Lord and bring Him glory. Josh shares his personal journey of transitioning from a camper to building a new home, all while striving to show hospitality and care for others. The conversation emphasizes that everything we own bel...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, Pastor TJ Freeman addresses the common frustration of unanswered prayers. Drawing from Tom Ellif's book 'A Passion for Prayer,' TJ identifies seven barriers that may hinder prayers: neglecting personal holiness, praying with wrong motives, unresolved relational issues, relying on worldly sources, Satan's opposition,...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, pastor TJ Freeman addresses the feeling that some people in our lives might seem beyond God's reach. He uses the story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 to illustrate how no case is too hard for God. TJ also discusses his travels for the Brainerd Institute, aiming to create a theology of rural ministry and recruit young men for...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the common disappointments in life when we place our hope in relationships, jobs, or health, only to be let down. He reads from Ezekiel 6, where God condemns idolatry and emphasizes the folly of placing hope in anything other than Him. TJ explains how God desires us to trust Him completely, as only...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, discusses how to deal with people who drive you crazy. TJ emphasizes the importance of recognizing that everyone is made in God's image. He explains that as Christians, we should show mercy, grace, and love to those who frustrate us, reflecting God's nature in our interactions. TJ draws on the Book...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman addresses the struggles of being open and authentic in a small-town church. He shares the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts to illustrate the dangers of faking external appearances while hiding inner struggles. TJ emphasizes the importance of authenticity, transparency, and building genuine relationships within the chu...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary:  In this episode of 'Back to Rurality,' TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the time when we face the consequences of our poor decisions. TJ uses the story of Ezekiel, who, along with the people of Israel, faced exile due to their own sins. Despite their stubbornness, God met them in their distress and called them to return to Him. TJ encourages listeners to r...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of 'Back to Rurality,' host TJ Freeman discusses the sense of isolation that can come from living in rural areas and how it can make you feel distant from God. TJ is joined by guest CJ Dematitis, who shares his journey from an urban upbringing in D.C. and Baltimore to finding God glorifying ministry in rural Pennsylvania. They explore the challen...

Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClaren Summary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ, Joe, and Joshua discuss the misconceptions and challenges of discipleship in small, rural churches. They emphasize that discipling isn't just optional but a biblical mandate. The conversation sheds light on the sufficiency of Scripture in guiding discipleship efforts and how organic, relati...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary:  In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman discusses the concept of true and lasting refreshment sourced from our satisfaction in the Lord. Through his own personal experiences and in his study of Acts 3, TJ emphasizes that, unlike temporary fixes, true refreshment comes from repentance and turning away from sin. He closes the podcast by inviting listeners to r...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman addresses the guilt many Christians feel about not sharing the gospel. TJ offers up a powerful tool for evangelism he calls 'grace stories'—narratives of God's grace in one's life. He reassures listeners that it's okay not to have all the answers and encourages them to be genuinely inter...

Host: TJ Freeman Summary: In this episode, rural pastor TJ Freeman addresses the exhaustion and struggles many face in their daily lives. He brings encouragement through Revelation chapter 7, emphasizing that faithfulness amidst challenges is not in vain. He likens life to assembling a puzzling and reveals that scripture provides a clear vision of the ultimate picture. TJ reassures Christians of t...