Starting something new always presents a risk. Will people like it, or will they hate it? Will they read it, or will they simply discard it as junk email? I assume the answer to these questions is a little bit of yes and no.

This newsletter is specifically designed for Rural Network Leaders. We plan to provide quarterly information concerning rural ministry. Feel free to forward this newsletter to rural workers in your networks.

Ultimately, we want to help the men and women faithfully serving in the local rural church do the best job possible. These local rural church workers are the unsung heroes of rural ministry in North America and the world. Most of them work two or three secular jobs, serve their churches, and try to squeeze in family time. We want to provide them with resources, so they can be the most effective ministers possible.

Hopefully, you, as a Rural Network Leader, will use this quarterly newsletter to equip, serve, and encourage those you lead. May God use this simple tool to serve the rural church in North America and the world.

Equipping the Saints,

Dr. Jeff Clark
Director of Rural Matters Institute
Billy Graham Center, Wheaton College

jeff.a.clark@wheaton.edu

www.bgcruralmatters.com

P.S. Please send me suggestions and ideas for future newsletters, your input is appreciated!

Reminder! Zoom Call for Rural Network Leaders

June 1 at 11:00 AM (EST)
Guest Host: Glenn Daman, pastor, and author 
Topic: How do we keep rural ministry a mission, not a fad

Each newsletter will introduce us to a specific Rural Network. 

This quarter we will focus on the Rural Home Missionary Association (rhma.org).

RHMA has been planting and strengthening churches in rural North America for over 80 years. Ron Klassen, the Executive Director for the last 32 years, will retire at the end of 2023. The new Executive Director will be Adam Kipp.

Please pray for:

• A smooth transition for RHMA
• Adam Kipp and his family as they transition into this new role
• Ron and Roxy Klassen as they move on to new ministry opportunities.

America’s ‘seismic shift’: Rural areas are crucial missions field, researcher says – The Baptist Paper (a report on a recent presentation by Dr. Jeff Clark)

The Ruralization of America By Carl P. Greene – Wheaton College Billy Graham Center (wheatonbillygraham.com)

The Future of Farming Is in Crisis—Here’s What’s Being Done to Safeguard Our Food System | EatingWell

A Call for Rural Pastors by Glenn Daman – Wheaton College Billy Graham Center (wheatonbillygraham.com)

Small Churches Are Not a Problem, a Virtue or an Excuse (churchleaders.com)

Mending the Nets – Wheaton College Billy Graham Center (wheatonbillygraham.com)

March 24
Fulfilling Your Ministry in a Post-COVID Appalachia (Hosted by Tri-State Bible College, South Point, OH)

April 19: VIRTUAL
Big Ministry in Small Towns Virtual Summit (Texas Baptists)

April 22
No Restraints 2022 (Hosted by New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA)

April 25-27
Small Town Pastor’s Conference (Sponsored by Rural Home Missionary Association, Morton, IL)

April 26
[Re]Vitalize Conference (Sponsored by Lebanon Baptist Church, Greensboro, NC)

April 28-29
Small Town Jesus Conference (Sponsored by The Brainerd Institute and Acts 29,        Trout Run, PA)

April 28
Thriving in Rural Ministry (Hosted by Village Missions, Grand Island, NE)

May 3: VIRTUAL
Big Ministry in Small Towns Virtual Summit (Texas Baptists)

May 9
Big Little Church Conference (Hosted by Camas, WA)

May 14
Small Town Summits: Women’s Training (Gorham, ME)

May 26
Small Town Summits:  (Osterville, MA)

Please let me know if your organization has an event that needs to be added to the calendar. You can contact me at: jeff.a.clark@wheaton.edu

Many excellent websites concerning rural ministry are available to help the rural pastor. Small Town Summits, a ministry connected to The Gospel Coalition, focuses on small towns in rural New England. Check out their website for beneficial articles, a list of resources, and a collection of podcasts for rural pastors anywhere.