Rural Renewal Podcast by Ascent Movement

Of the challenges facing rural North America, health care remains one of the most pressing. What can local churches do to help? In this episode, Allen Stanton, author or Reclaiming Rural returns alongside Sidney Everhart to discuss how they've seen churches help their members and their communities stay healthy.

Robert Frazier might not be the first person you think of when you consider the needs of rural churches. Robert planted Redemption Hill, a network of microchurches in Boise, Idaho, and founded The City Network. However, Boise is the only major city in the region, and their ministry has expanded to the suburbs, exurbs, and rural areas in the two-hour vicinity. In this episode, Robert discusses the...

Times change, but the same can’t always be said of churches. Why is it that some take risks and try new things, while others can’t seem to get unstuck? In this overwhelmingly encouraging conversation, Ron Johnston, Executive Director of Small Church Connections in Canada, shares practical steps pastors can take to build trust and cast vision with their congregations. You’ll also hear a refreshing...

Many rural church leaders are part-time or bi-vocational. With such high demands on their time, what does "excellent" preaching look like? Patricia Batten, Assistant Professor of Preaching at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, provides encouragement and direction for rural church leaders doing their best with limited resources. She also shares her story of ministry among those with disabilities...

With many rural areas declining in population, "growth" is an impossible goal. What should churches do instead? David Blackwell returns to the podcast to explore a more "relational" model of ministry. With a keen awareness of the average rural and small church, Blackwell outlines a realistic approach to leading a highly engaged and mission-driven church. David Blackwell has pastored Florence Carlt...

Should small, rural churches aim for excellence, authenticity, or both? Many well-known, usually large churches, are known to strive for "excellence" in their production of weekend worship. This can leave small churches, with fewer means, feeling like they have to keep up. Brandon O'Brien offers an alternative for small churches to aim instead to represent themselves and their faith authentically....

What do you think a rural church looks like? Listen to new ideas from real-life leaders who are reaching new people in places already accustomed to church. Featuring David Blackwell of Florence, Montana, Chris and Jaidy Smith from Ramseur, North Carolina and Allen Jessee from Abingdon, Virginia. Allen Jessee, is the Lead Pastor of Highlands Fellowship and has served in ministry since 1983. Allen h...

Rural church pastors preach and organize church programs. But sometimes they manage contractors, water pigs, and other things you might not expect. Join Lindsay Callaway from the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada in a discussion of how to prepare church for the unexpected opportunities in rural ministry. Lindsay Callaway has been with the EFC since 2019 and works as a researcher for the Centre for...

Ministry in rural areas can have challenges, when it comes to resources. Listen to Marta share how she has addressed the needs of Latino community (especially with language barriers) in her town and advocate for them and how she has partnered with schools, libraries, and other organizations to connect with people in her community. Marta Sobrino Bolen, the pastor of Glenfield United Methodist Churc...

What does it mean to be the church in a place where people come to vacation? Some small towns and less about Friday Night Lights and more about AirBnB. But what if it was possible not only to reach weekend warriors looking for recreation and the local population who live in small towns all year long. In this episode listen to discover different ways local churches seeking to revitalize their prese...

Doing ministry in rural areas is different from doing ministry in urban or suburban areas, but many books and conferences tend to be more helpful for larger population areas. In this episode listen to two denominational leaders provide their perspective on strengths and challenges for doing discipleship in rural churches. Dr. Leah Hidde-Gregory is an elder in the Global Methodist Church. During he...

The word "rural" can bring to mind both bucolic and dilapidated images. But the truth is much more complicated! Discover how churches serve as anchors for small-towns, and new metrics for measuring success in this unique environment. In the first episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, you'll hear from Allen Stanton, an ordained pastor who currently manages a large initiative to expand access to den...

Revival is happening in small-town churches. Many of Jesus' followers across ruralregions are uncovering exciting possibilities as they explore creative and practical approaches to loving their neighbors.  Hosted by rural church co-pastors, Chris and Kathleen Blackey, this new podcast from Fresh Expressions will introduce you to ministry leaders serving in rural contexts to provide examples and in...