In this rich and reflective episode, we talk with pastor and author Brad Roth about the heart behind his latest book, Flyover Church. Brad shares a compelling vision for ministry in rural places—one grounded not in programs or performance, but in presence, patience, and the power of story. We explore the difference between task-based and presence-based ministry, how fear can lead us to misguided goals, and why both success and failure have something to teach the Church. Brad offers practical way...
Jul 14, 2025•53 min•Season 3Ep. 9
In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, we sit down with David Blackwell for a candid conversation about one of the most important — and sometimes most challenging — parts of ministry: helping relationships move from social connection to spiritual depth. We don’t claim to have all the answers, but we share honest reflections, stories, and questions from our own experiences. This episode is more of an open-ended conversation than a how-to guide — a space to spark your own ideas and invite y...
Jun 30, 2025•54 min•Season 3Ep. 8
In this episode of Rural Renewal, Chris Morton shares simple, practical ways rural and small churches can improve their online presence—without needing a big budget or tech team. From claiming your Google listing to using Facebook like a town bulletin board, Chris explains how digital engagement today is the new front porch. You’ll learn why hospitality starts online, how to overcome assumptions people make about your church, and how a few small steps can make a big difference in helping people ...
Jun 16, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 3Ep. 7
Dean Miller joins the podcast to share how churches can move from maintenance to mission—especially in rural and challenging contexts. Drawing on his pastoral experience, Dean encourages leaders to listen deeply, build community partnerships, and rethink success in ministry. He highlights stories of churches making a real difference by focusing on relationships, not just programs, and reminds us that innovation doesn’t require a big budget—just curiosity and courage. This episode offers practica...
Jun 02, 2025•50 min•Season 3Ep. 6
In this episode we explore leadership and mission in rural ministry. First, John Upton reflects on his journey from missionary work in Taiwan to leading the Baptist General Association of Virginia, emphasizing the importance of presence, trust, and adaptability in leadership. Next, Brandon Shook of Fusion USA discusses connecting college students with local churches, highlighting relational approaches and long-term investment in young adults. Together, these conversations offer insights into nur...
May 19, 2025•56 min•Season 3Ep. 5
What happens when a small-town church becomes a lifeline for mental health support? Since 2004, Corey Laughary has served as pastor in the rural community of Palouse, Washington, where he and his church have stepped into the mental health gap. In this episode, Corey shares how they’ve built a mental health ministry team, offered Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings, and equipped schools, agencies, and churches to care for their communities. Full of practical insights and hard-won hope, this c...
May 05, 2025•1 hr 1 min•Season 3Ep. 4
What happens when the church leaves the building? In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, we hear from two sets of leaders who are reimagining church in unexpected places. Heather Jallad shares how Fresh Expressions are flourishing in rural spaces—around dinner tables, in parks, even barns—through simple, relational gatherings rooted in deep listening and trust. Then we head to Virginia, where Theresa Colomba and Tony Gray bring Church in the Park to life for people facing homelessness and...
Apr 21, 2025•51 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In this episode, we explore two powerful stories of creative and faithful ministry. Russell Goodrich shares how Cape Charles Baptist Church went from near closure to becoming a vibrant community hub—serving over 130 kids each summer through Splash Camp and transforming lives through local partnerships. Amy Hall shares her journey from religious trauma to spiritual renewal, launching Shalom Creatives and Forest Church—spaces where art, nature, and community open doors to healing and connection. T...
Apr 07, 2025•50 min•Season 3Ep. 2
What does it mean to dream big in a rural setting? In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, Tim Brown and Allen Jesse share how small-town churches can make a big impact. From disaster relief efforts after severe flooding to building networks for struggling rural pastors, they explore the power of community-driven ministry. Hear how Tim connects with first responders, how Allen’s church mobilized disaster relief teams, and how even a 90-year-old woman found purpose through simple acts of ki...
Mar 24, 2025•47 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Engaging all ages in ministry is core to the work of the church, but the reality of rural life can make that complicated. In this episode, we’ll hear about creative ways to incorporate children and adults into the life of rural congregations, even in the face of declining populations and limited resources. Listen in to learn about how the “Messy Church” approach to multigenerational ministry plays out in rural churches from Trish Johnsen, Senior Pastor at Salem Chapel United Methodist Church in ...
Jul 08, 2024•48 min•Season 2Ep. 10
What can churches do in a culture known for its skepticism? Nestled between Seattle and the Olympic National Forest, Belfair Community Church focuses on consistent, small acts that reflect God’s love and goodness. In this inspiring interview, you’ll hear from A Culture of Scarcity And a God of Abundance: Leading a Church into a Bigger, Better, More Beautiful Story
Jun 24, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 9
What do you do when you know there are people in your small town who need a community and a place to learn about Jesus, but they aren’t coming to your church? Sharon White led her church through a process of listening for needs and opportunities in their small town of Waco, Ga. When they discovered a shared passion for Bluegrass music they prayed for God’s help to start something new. Today, in their town of barely 500, 100 people show up for the West Georgia Opry every weekend. Listen to hear t...
Jun 10, 2024•46 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The stories of news media and Hollywood often focus on major coastal cities. But God is at work everywhere and the small towns and rural communities of North America are a testimony to God’s goodness. In this interview, Brad Roth, Mennonite pastor and award-winning author, shares about the importance of place, people watching and recognizing people for who God believes they can
May 27, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Most churches are “small churches,” but they don’t always get the attention, resources and support they need. In this episode, Senior Director Chris Backert shares what he sees happening across North America and the exciting things that can only happen in smaller congregations.
May 06, 2024•46 min
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.
Apr 29, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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 difference between being a "small" church and a "micro" church. He provides new insight into how chu...
Apr 15, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 and very personal approach to life-on-life discipleship. Listen in and gain new hope for your rural ...
Apr 01, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 and explores what a more inclusive church experience could be....
Mar 18, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 3
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 Carlton Church in Montana for nearly 20 years. His rural church reaches people from across their county w...
Mar 04, 2024•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 2
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. This episode is perfect for rural church leaders seeking to create meaningful worship gatherings wi...
Feb 19, 2024•57 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 has lived in Southwest Virginia his entire life. After graduating from Lebanon High School, he attend...
Apr 17, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 Research on Church and Faith. Lindsay has graduate degrees in systematic theology from Trinity Evang...
Apr 10, 2023•53 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 Church, has started a ministry for Latinos called La Misión that helps Latino families in three areas: fa...
Apr 03, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 presence and they do it through play and outdoor adventure. Pamela Morse and her husband, Earle, have ser...
Mar 27, 2023•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 3
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 her ministry, she served in lay leadership, as a pastor and as a District Superintendent. Leah has a h...
Mar 20, 2023•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 2
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 dental care in rural areas and is author of Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations. Al...
Mar 13, 2023•57 min•Season 1Ep. 1
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 inspiration for being the Church and addressing the needs unique to your community. Rural Revival Podca...
Feb 16, 2023•59 sec
