Rural Advancement

Join us today as we talk to Pastor Tommy Hayes, who has spent his ministry revitalizing churches and teaching other pastors to do the same. His insights on reaching the community, looking at our church through fresh eyes, and the need for fellow pastors will bless you!   As always, if you want to reach out to the show with feedback or ideas, or to find encouragement, please connect with our h...

Dr. Terry Yancey served as pastor and ministry leader in Kansas for decades. Join part 2 of this conversation as we discuss the importance of demographics, being Pentecostal and intellectual, and the importance of outreach.   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show with ideas or feedback, or for encouragement, please contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Dr. Terry Yancey served as pastor and ministry leader in Kansas for decades. Join part 1 of this conversation as we discuss the importance of demographics, being Pentecostal and intellectual, and the importance of outreach.   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show with ideas or feedback, or for encouragement, please contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Pastors Alan and Coleen Schaberg have served in multiple contexts of ministry, most recently as the superintendents of the Wyoming Assemblies of God. They both have completed a Masters of Arts in Rural Ministry through Trinity Bible College and Graduate School, and bring many great insights from these experiences in this two part episode. Tune in now!   As always, if you would like to reach o...

Pastors Alan and Coleen Schaberg have served in multiple contexts of ministry, most recently as the superintendents of the Wyoming Assemblies of God. They both have completed a Masters of Arts in Rural Ministry through Trinity Bible College and Graduate School, and bring many great insights from these experiences in this two part episode. Tune in now! As always, if you would like to reach out to t...

Join host Joe Epley as he gives an update on the show for this summer and gives a brief challenge to reflect on what healthy rhythms are when it comes to seasons of ministry.   As always, if you want to reach out to the show with feedback or ideas, or for the sake of encouragement, connect with our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Join pastor Nathan Johnson as he shared on the power of legacy as it has played out in his own life. Or hear his thoughts on how to be a mindful leader within a pentecostal setting. Check out his experiences with Pentecost and learn how he incorporates it into a local body of believers   As always if you want to reach out to the show with feedback or ideas, or to get encouragement, contact ou...

Join us as Savanna Emmanuel shares her story of growing up and how she came to know the Lord and pursue ministry. Her story is a great example of what it means to be incarnational as a church and to love the “one” faithfully! Check it out!   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show with feedback and ideas, or for encouragement, please contact our host Joe Epley at jos...

Our Tall Tales segment answers a simple question: What is a particularly funny or unique rural ministry experience and what did God show you through it? Join pastor Greg Ledgerwood as he talks about hoarders and hospital visits, concluding that it is important to say “yes” to opportunities in spite of how strange they may be!   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show...

Join pastors Jim and Tina Von Wald for part 2 of their journey as rural church planters and co-pastors. They share not only about engaging community well and leading together, but also highlight the work of their theses. They both graduated Trinity Bible College with master’s degrees in Rural Ministry. Tina focused on developing rural leaders within the church and Jim focused on succession p...

Join pastors Jim and Tina Von Wald as they walk through their journey as rural church planters and co-pastors. They share not only about engaging community well and leading together, but also highlight the work of their theses. They both graduated Trinity Bible College with master’s degrees in Rural Ministry. Tina focused on developing rural leaders within the church and Jim focused on succe...

Pastor Cordell Hines shares about his diverse experiences through 30+ years of ministry. He talks of bringing order to out of control Pentecostal experience, pastoring through church hurt, restoring faith in a pastorate after the failure of others, and much more! Tune in today for this exciting conversation!   As always, if you would like to reach out to the show for encouragement, or to give...

Pastor Cody is a kids pastor who is passionate about raising money for missions, helping kids from tough backgrounds, and raising up an effective team for kids ministry! Tune in to hear the conversation.   As always, if you want to reach out to the show for encouragement or with feedback or ideas, you can contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com   Referenced in today’...

Join pastor Mackenzie Witzke as she talks about the call of God, relational ministry, and the value of sound administration within the body of Christ.   As always, if you want to reach out to the show for encouragement, or to give feedback or ideas, please connect with our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Pastor Jarred Smith has spent time working as youth pastor, church administrator, bookkeeper, and a host of other associate obligations. Join us as we talk through the lessons gleaned from wearing multiple hats in ministry!   As always if you have any feedback or ideas for the show, or would like some encouragement, please reach out to our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Pastor James Young shares about the various opportunities for community development he has experienced during his tenure as a small town pastor. He and his church have done community projects, cleaned up and renovated main street properties, and helped with poverty relief. Tune in for a fun conversation.   As always, if you want to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with ideas and fe...

Join us again as we talk with Pastor Andy McMillan as we discuss how a minister can lead themselves and their church to reach their community effectively. We discuss things like designing a church around the community demographics, the need for flexibility among pastors, and the nature of God’s call to ministry in this 2 part conversation   As always, if you want to reach out to the sho...

Join Pastor Andy McMillan as we discuss how a minister can lead themselves and their church to reach their community effectively. We discuss things like designing a church around the community demographics, the need for flexibility among pastors, and the nature of God’s call to ministry in this 2 part conversation   As always, if you want to reach out to the show with ideas or feedback,...

Pastor Matt Baumgartner currently lives in Laramie, WY, and is in the middle of pursuing a Phd focused on revitalization in rural churches. Join us today to talk about how that passion got started, and to look at some of the practical considerations involved with revitalization!   To connect with pastor Matt you can email him at matt@newlifelaramie.org   Check out some of his suggested r...

Join host Joe Epley as he walks through the book  Pastoring Small Towns by Ronnie Martin and Donnie Griggs. Today’s recommendation will include thoughts on compassion, the nuance of the rural church, and how pride is possible, even in a small town setting.   To purchase the book, click the link here .   As always, to reach out to the show with feedback or ideas, or for encouragemen...

Jack Smart has worked for 34 years with an addiction help ministry called Teen Challenge. His life has been dedicated to helping those with addiction find faith in Jesus, from his time with teen challenge and beyond. Tune in today to hear thoughts on how to minister to this group on a local level!   If you want to get a hold of Jack Smart and hear more about the ministries he offers to those...

Join us as Pastor Jon Baker shares his heartbeat for the lost through the lens of his own story, adding practical insights throughout that speak to outreach in a rural community!   As always, if you want to reach out to the show with feedback or ideas, or to find encouragement, contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Join Pastor Jason Kindelberger as we talk about lessons applied to ministry from his work in law enforcement, the role of mentorship in shaping ministers, and his passion for apologetics!   As always, if you want to reach out to the show for encouragement, or with feedback and ideas, you can contact our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com

Pastors Jeremy and Amanda Harris are co-pastoring in Kulm, ND. Join us as we discuss the challenges and blessings of their co-lead role and hear how they navigate areas like sabbatical and church hurt.   As always, if you want to reach out to the show with feedback and ideas, or for encouragement, reach out to our host Joe Epley at joseph.g.epley@gmail.com.

Join host Joe Epley as he walks through something praiseworthy, something challenging, and something to pray about for the rural church in the coming year!   As always, you can reach out to us at Joseph.g.epley@gmail.com