Rural Church Institute
Our Partners
The Rural Church Institute at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center partners with a diverse network of ministries, organizations, and initiatives that share a commitment to strengthening rural churches and equipping their leaders. These strategic partnerships expand the Institute’s reach, provide specialized resources, and foster collaboration across denominational and geographic lines.
Founded in 2018 by Steve McVey, Dirt Roads Network (Madison, Kansas) equips and revitalizes rural churches across America by supporting pastors, fostering church planting, and guiding congregations through revitalization cohorts. Its mission is to ensure every small town has a life-giving, Bible-believing, community-transforming church. Through conferences, cooperative networks, and mentoring, DRN helps rural pastors overcome isolation and build sustainable ministries.
Founded in 1999 in Reading, Michigan, Crossroads Farm is a cooperative rural youth ministry that partners with local churches to reach secondary students in small-town communities. Its mission is to win students to Christ, build them in Christ, and equip them to serve Christ by offering weekly programming, outreach events, and leadership training. With multiple ministry sites across Michigan and Ohio, Crossroads Farm provides a welcoming environment where rural teens can encounter the gospel, develop godly leadership qualities, and be released from the challenges of rural isolation
Since 1948, Village Missions (Dallas, Oregon) has worked to keep country churches alive in North America by placing pastors in rural congregations that might otherwise close. Their motto, “Preach the Word. Love the People,” reflects their commitment to developing spiritually vital churches. With over 230 rural communities served, Village Missions ensures a gospel presence in small towns by supporting pastors who often serve as both spiritual leaders and community members
Founded in 1942, RHMA is a nondenominational mission dedicated to planting and strengthening churches in small-town America. Based in Morton, Illinois, RHMA supports pastors through training, conferences, and resources like the annual Small-Town Pastors’ Conference. Its missionaries serve as church planters or strengtheners, with the goal of helping congregations become self-sustaining while maintaining a vibrant gospel witness.
Launched in 2024, the Center for Rural Ministry (CRM) at Grove City College builds partnerships between college, church, and community. Emerging from the Project on Rural Ministry, CRM provides a hub for pastors, students, and faculty to collaborate on strengthening under-resourced rural and small-town churches. CRM fosters leadership development, research, and practical ministry support for Appalachian, agricultural, and rust belt communities.
Converge Great Lakes is a regional movement of churches within the Converge network, focused on starting, strengthening, and sending churches across Wisconsin and the Upper Midwest. With one of the highest church-planting success rates (85–90% self-sustaining after five years), Converge Great Lakes provides leadership training, pastoral support, and global mission pathways, helping congregations remain healthy and effective in reaching their communities.
The North American Mission Board, part of the Southern Baptist Convention, is the domestic missions agency focused on church planting, revitalization, evangelism, and disaster relief. Headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia, NAMB operates initiatives like Send Network (church planting) and Send Relief (compassion ministries). It mobilizes thousands of pastors, chaplains, and volunteers to reach North America with the gospel.
Founded in 1845, the International Mission Board is the global missions agency of the Southern Baptist Convention. Headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, IMB sends and supports missionaries worldwide to evangelize, disciple, and plant reproducing churches among all peoples. Its vision is rooted in the Great Commission, aiming for a multitude from every tribe, tongue, and nation worshiping Christ.
Established in 1886, the Baptist General Convention of Texas (commonly called Texas Baptists) is a statewide Baptist body with over 5,000 congregations. Based in Dallas, BGCT partners with churches to advance evangelism, discipleship, education, and social ministries. It supports seminaries, hospitals, and community initiatives while maintaining affiliations with the Southern Baptist Convention and Baptist World Alliance.
The Genesis Conference serves Free Methodist congregations in Western New York and surrounding regions. Its mission is to love God, love people, and multiply followers of Jesus by developing leaders, launching churches, and resourcing pastors. With a focus on Spirit-fueled ministry, Genesis Conference equips churches for growth and discipleship while fostering a new generation of Christ-centered leaders