Persistence, Potential, and Public Spaces with Jonathan McDaniel
Join us this week on Rural Advancement as we interview Pastor Jonathan McDaniel! Tune in as he...
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why it Matters
Join us this week on the podcast as discuss another resource. The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker talks about the importance of putting...
The Heart of a Pastor with Stephen Schaible
Stephen Schaible has spent his entire ministry career pastoring or helping others pastor. His heart is to love people and build...
A Big Gospel in Small Places: Should I Pastor in a Small Town?
Join us this week as host Joe Epley dives into Stephen Witmer’s book A Big Gospel in Small...
Resilience in Rural Ministry with Winston Titus
Join us this week for an interview with Pastor Winston Titus, who grew up in, and eventually pastored in, the state of North Dakota. Pastor...
Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church: A Thought on Revitalization
Join our host Joe Epley as we look at the book Fresh Expressions of the Rural Church by Michael Beck and Tyler Kleeberger. This book is an...
Fall Update: Heading in a New Direction!
Join host Joe Epley as we talk about a slight shift in the direction of the podcast. Our goal is to...
Summer Reflections 2025
Join our host Joe Epley as he shares brief thoughts on the Summer, highlighting the need to take advantage of God’s...
Stewardship, Marriage, and Pastoral Care with Randy McPherson
Randy McPherson is a Christian businessman, an ordained minister, and grew up in a ministry household. He has found his calling in...
A Personal Reflection on Church Health with Joe Epley (Karl Vaters Part 3)
Join host Joe Epley as he takes some of the principles of church health found in the works of...
De-Sizing the Church Part 2 with Karl Vaters
Join us as we have a discussion with Pastor and Author Karl Vaters. In the second part of this episode, we will discuss how to measure...
De-Sizing The Church Part 1 with Karl Vaters
Join us as we have a discussion with Pastor and Author Karl Vaters. Over the next two weeks, we will discuss how to measure success in the...
Evangelism, Generosity, and Pentecost Part 2 with Joe Girdler
Join us for a two part conversation with Dr. Joe Girdler. Dr. Joe is a published author, current...
Christianity Now Interview with Josh Ziefle
Join us this week as we talk rural ministry with Josh Ziefle, Campus Pastor at Northwest University and host of the podcast, Christianity...
The Dirt Roads Network Part 2 with Steve McVey
Join us for the second of a two part conversation with Pastor Steve McVey, the founder of the...
The Dirt Roads Network Part 1 with Steve McVey
Join us for a two part conversation with Pastor Steve McVey, the founder of the Dirt Roads Network. In this first episode Pastor Steve...
Rural Resource: Small Church Essentials by Karl Vaters
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...
The Litany of Humility with Joe Epley
Join our host Joe Epley as we dive into a prayer that comes to us from the Catholic tradition. The...
Leading a Youth-Friendly Church Part 2 with Dereck and Gail Owen
Pastors Dereck and Gail Owen share about their journey in a small town over the course of two decades, highlighting their experience as...
Leading a Youth-Friendly Church Part 1 with Dereck and Gail Owen
Pastors Dereck and Gail Owen share about their journey in a small town over the course of two decades, highlighting their experience as...
Prayer, Revitalization, and the Faithfulness of God with John Murdoch
Pastor John Murdoch shares insights on the Holy Spirit, Prayer, and God’s faithfulness...
Handling Ministry Transition Part 2 with Bill Lanes
Pastor Bill Lanes is passionate about walking through pastoral transition. Last week we began a conversation around the topics of how to...
Handling Ministry Transition Part 1 with Bill Lanes
Pastor Bill Lanes is passionate about walking through pastoral transition. Join us over the next...
Pastor the Town and You’ll Pastor the Church Part 2 with Nick Rogers
Pastor Nick Rogers jumps on Rural Advancement to share his experience in small town ministry. In two parts, we will cover everything from...
Pastor the Town and You’ll Pastor the Church Part 1 with Nick Rogers
Pastor Nick Rogers jumps on Rural Advancement to share his experience in small town ministry. In two parts, we will cover everything from...
Churches Working Together with Andy Addis
Pastor Andy Addis is the pastor of a rural multisite church in Kansas and the host of a podcast...
New Year’s Reflection 2025
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...
When Rural and Urban Collide with Dr. Martin Giese Part 2
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...
When Rural and Urban Collide with Dr. Martin Giese Part 1
Pastor and Dr. Martin Giese has spent 40 years in rural pastoral ministry, and has served the last...
Moving to Rural, The Call of God, and Working through Trauma with Keith and Samantha Jones Part 1
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...
Statistics, Sunday School, and Church Health with Mike Clarensau Part 2
Pastor Mike Clarensau has had a diverse ministry career, serving as pastor, Sunday school director,...
Statistics, Sunday School, and Church Health with Mike Clarensau Part 1
Pastor Mike Clarensau has had a diverse ministry career, serving as pastor, sunday school director, church health director, church...
Serving Well, Men’s Ministry, and Book Recommendations with Austin Epperson
Pastor Austin Epperson talks about rural ministry, highlighting how to have an effective men’s ministry, the importance of having...
Church Systems and Why They Matter with Anthony Caiola
Pastor Anthony Caiola has a passion for creating church systems that work! Tools and systems that...
Rural Resource: Flyover Church by Brad Roth Part 2
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,...
Rural Resource: Flyover Church by Brad Roth Part 1
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...
Fervency, Self Pity, and Spiritual Warfare with Tim Rust
Pastor Tim Rust has sent 50 years in business and ministry learning many good lessons through the...
Leadership Development, Boundaries, and Best Buy with Tony Vietti
Pastor Tony Vietti talks in this episode about healthy culture, developing leaders well, and adjusting to the pace of rural life as someone...
Walmart, Team Ministry, and Grandma’s House with Andrew Jergenson
Pastor Andrew Jergenson started his career within the structure of the Walmart corporation and has since transitioned to pastoring. Tune in...
Mentorship, Dollar General, and Pick Up Trucks with Tommy Hayes
Join us today as we talk to Pastor Tommy Hayes, who has spent his ministry revitalizing churches...
Introducing FRAN and FRANK part 2 with Dr. Terry Yancey
Dr. Terry Yancey served as pastor and ministry leader in Kansas for decades. Join part 2 of this conversation as we discuss the importance...
Introducing FRAN and FRANK Part 1 with Dr. Terry Yancey
Dr. Terry Yancey served as pastor and ministry leader in Kansas for decades. Join part 1 of this conversation as we discuss the importance...
Pastoral Soul Care with Alan and Coleen Schaberg Part 2
Pastors Alan and Coleen Schaberg have served in multiple contexts of ministry, most recently as the...
Pastoral Soul Care with Alan and Coleen Schaberg Part 1
Pastors Alan and Coleen Schaberg have served in multiple contexts of ministry, most recently as the superintendents of the Wyoming...
Summer Update: A Reflection on Rhythms
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...
Legacy, Leadership, and Pentecost with Nathan Johnson
Join pastor Nathan Johnson as he shared on the power of legacy as it has played out in his own...
Reaching the One with Savanna Emmanuel
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...
Tall Tales of the Rural Church: Hoarders and Hospital Visits with Greg Ledgerwood
Our Tall Tales segment answers a simple question: What is a particularly funny or unique rural ministry experience and what did God show...
Developing Rural Leaders, Co-Pastoring, and Succession Part 2 with Jim and Tina Von Wald
Join pastors Jim and Tina Von Wald for part 2 of their journey as rural church planters and...
Developing Rural Leaders, Co-Pastoring, and Succession Part 1 with Jim and Tina Von Wald
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...
Pastoring for all Seasons with Cordell Hines
Pastor Cordell Hines shares about his diverse experiences through 30+ years of ministry. He talks of bringing order to out of control...
Missions Giving, Developing Teams, and Relating to Students with Cody Berntsen
Pastor Cody is a kids pastor who is passionate about raising money for missions, helping kids from...
The Value of Administration with Mackenzie Witzke
Join pastor Mackenzie Witzke as she talks about the call of God, relational ministry, and the value of sound administration within the body...
Wearing Multiple Hats: An Associate Pastor’s Perspective with Jarred Smith
Pastor Jarred Smith has spent time working as youth pastor, church administrator, bookkeeper, and a host of other associate obligations....
Creating a Bridge to Your Community with James Young
Pastor James Young shares about the various opportunities for community development he has...
All Things to All People: Contextualizing Rural Ministry Part 2 with Andy McMillan
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...
All things to All People: Contextualizing Rural Ministry with Andy McMillan Part 1
Join Pastor Andy McMillan as we discuss how a minister can lead themselves and their church to reach their community effectively. We...
A Passion for Revitalization with Matt Baumgartner
Pastor Matt Baumgartner currently lives in Laramie, WY, and is in the middle of pursuing a Phd...
Rural Resource: Pastoring Small Towns Part 1
Join host Joe Epley as he walks through the book Pastoring Small Towns by Ronnie Martin and Donnie Griggs. Today’s recommendation...
Ministry to those with Addiction with Jack Smart
Jack Smart has worked for 34 years with an addiction help ministry called Teen Challenge. His life has been dedicated to helping those with...
Outreach Practices with Jon Baker
Join us as Pastor Jon Baker shares his heartbeat for the lost through the lens of his own story,...
Apologetics, Police Work, and Mentorship with Jason Kindelberger
Join Pastor Jason Kindelberger as we talk about lessons applied to ministry from his work in law enforcement, the role of mentorship in...
Co-pastoring, Church hurt, and Sabbatical Lessons with Jeremy and Amanda Harris
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...
New Year’s Reflections from 2023
Join host Joe Epley as he walks through something praiseworthy, something challenging, and...
People First Giving with Josh Lowrance
Join pastor Josh Lowrance as we discuss the topic of giving. In rural churches where resources are limited, Pastor Josh makes the case that...
Encouragement in the Midst of Change with Jamie Austin
Join Pastor Jamie Austin as we discuss navigating change, creating opportunities for leaders in the...
Longevity, Church Planting, and a Culture of Family with Cody Cochran
Pastor Cody Cochran walks us through the highs and lows of longevity, why a pastor should or should not plant a church, and offers his...
Incarnational Christmas with Joe Epley
Join our host Joe Epley as we discuss how and why to be incarnational in your community this Christmas Season. Scripture, history, and...
Circles of Gratitude with Joe Epley
Join our host Joe Epley as he discusses different ways to express gratitude for the church and...
Resiliency in the Rural Church with Chuck and Chris Griffin
Join pastors Chuck and Chris Griffin as we walk through the mindsets, marriage principles, and ministry practices that help us do ministry...
Cowboy Church with Stan Formby
Pastor Stan Formby shares a lifetime of lessons from pastoral ministry, including how to persevere when things grow and when they...
Church Planting and Revitalization with Paul Drost
Pastor Paul Drost talks us through his journey as a church planter, sharing insights on what...
Rural Resource: Reclaiming Rural with Allen Stanton Part 2
Join us for part 2 of an interview with author Allen Stanton. His book Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations is full of...
Rural Resource: Reclaiming Rural with Allen Stanton Part 1
Join us for part 1 of an interview with author Allen Stanton. His book Reclaiming Rural: Building Thriving Rural Congregations is full of...
Authenticity in Relationships with Tony Searles
Pastor Tony Searles shares about authenticity and how it has played out over his ministry career...
Lessons from a Spanish American Context with Dennis Rivera
Pastor Dennis Rivera shares about challenges for rural multi-ethnic churches, but also the solutions that he has seen work in these...
Seeing God through a Food Bank with Monte Reichenberg
Pastor Monte Reichenberg shares about seeing God show up through the work of their church in a...
Missions Giving, Vision Casting, and Leading into God’s Presence with Jeff Blizzard
Pastor Jeff Blizzard walks us through his thoughts on vision casting, how to deal with families leaving the church, and his passion for...
Mindsets for growth with Scott Burr
Pastor Scott shares on mindsets that have helped him achieve longevity in rural ministry. He covers practical areas like establishing a...
Navigating Mentoring Relationships with Charitie Sandoz
Pastor Charitie Sandoz shares her perspective on effective mentoring and peer to peer relationships...
Rural Resource: Church Out Here Part 2 with Will Basham and Sam Byers
Join us for part 2 of our discussion with authors from the collaborative book, Church Out Here: Insights from Small-Town Churches....
Rural Resource: Church Out Here Part 1 with Jason Cook and Jim Drake
Pastors Jim Drake and Jason Cook were part of a collaboration of authors who lent their voices for Church Out Here: Insights from...
Community Development with Beth Epley
Beth Epley has spent the last seven years as a licensed minister of the Assemblies of God as well...
Small Town Resistance, the Power of a Funeral, and Successful Longevity with Jeff Kapelle
Pastor Jeff Kapelle has spent 35 years ministering in Tolna, ND. Join us today as he reflects on his tenure and how he has continued to...
Healthy Work Rhythms with Paul Richardson
Pastor Paul Richardson joins us again to discuss concepts like sabbath, work/life balance, and the need to find sustainable rhythms for...
The Rural Church in Perspective with Pastor Doug Clay
Pastor Doug Clay serves as the superintendent of the Assemblies of God fellowship. Tune in today to hear how the rural church shaped his...
Setting a Church Planting Culture with Clarence St. John
Pastor Clarence St. John has spent decades in ministry working with church planting on a network wide scale. Join us today as he gives...
Learning from International Rural Contexts with Nate Lashway
Missionary Nate Lashway discusses both his rural upbringing in ministry in the United States as...
Second Career Pastoring and the Power of Prayer with Chuck Lewis
Pastor Chuck Lewis began his pastoral career later in life! Listen in as he shares the lessons he has learned and how he has depended on...
Spirituality and Daily Disciplines with Steven Pettit
Join Pastor Steven Pettit as we discuss spiritual disciplines, prayer, and the need to shepherd well through pastoring and church...
Loving the People in Front of You with Jim Loutzenhiser
Join us today as Pastor Jim Loutzenhiser shares about his ministry journey. Over the course of his life, he has worked as a pastor, a...
Championing the Rural Church with Rich Greenwald
Rich Greenwald is a long time rural pastor and the director of Rural America Ministries Network. Join us today as we discuss the journey of...
Tall Tales of the Rural Church: The Great Turkey Massacre
Join us for a new segment that we will release occasionally examining a simple question: What is...
