Rural Renewal Podcast by Ascent Movement

Ascent Movement
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Renewal is happening in small-town churches. Many of Jesus' followers across rural regions are uncovering exciting possibilities as they explore creative and practical approaches to loving their neighbors. This podcast from Ascent 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.

  1. May 4

    Ministry Pie, Volunteer Droughts, and Leading with Patience with Sam Peters

    If you’ve ever felt like your ministry is unseen, slow, or harder than you expected—you’re not alone.    In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, Sam Peters shares wisdom from The Heart of a Small Town Pastor, offering encouragement for leaders who are in it for the long haul. From building meaningful relationships to leading with patience and protecting your family, this conversation is a reminder that God is at work in the ordinary, everyday faithfulness of pastoral life.

    1h 8m

  2. Mar 9

    Dunbar’s Number, Weak Ties, and Rural Church Community with David Blackwell

    A healthy church isn’t just a tight-knit group of friends. It’s a place where all kinds of relationships can flourish. In this conversation, David Blackwell shares how insights from Dunbar’s Number invite rural church leaders to rethink size and connection, and how prioritizing weak, bridging relationships can help rural churches break down cliques, welcome outsiders, and embody the Gospel in place. Listeners will hear both a challenge and a roadmap for building more robust relational ecosystems that reflect the breadth of God’s community. Guest Info (title, bio, headshot, where to find them):  David has served as the senior pastor of Florence-Carlton Community Church in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana for 19 years, and is passionate about helping develop church leaders and pastors for outwardly-focused, community-oriented ministry in small town and rural settings. Related Resources: The Church and Dunbar’s Number - https://seedbed.com/the-church-and-dunbars-number/ Rural Churches Need More Weak Relationships - https://wheatonbillygraham.com/rural-churches-need-more-weak-relationships-by-carl-greene/ Email us:  podcasts@freshexpressions.com

    1h 4m

  3. Jan 26

    Grace, Doubt, and Leadership on the Big Screen

    Do movies actually reflect real-life ministry? Or do they miss the quiet tensions, complexities, and grace that leaders carry every day? In this episode of Rural Renewal, we take a different approach by reflecting on Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Beneath the mystery, the film raises questions about faith, leadership, public trust, and human frailty in close-knit communities. Whether you’ve seen the movie or not, this conversation invites you to think about how stories shape our understanding of church, calling, and renewal where life and faith intersect.

    59 min

  4. 12/22/2025

    Listening First: Prayer, Patience, and Pastoring a Rural Church Plant with PJ Johnson and Melanie McMurray

    What if faithfulness in rural ministry isn’t about moving faster—but about listening longer? In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, we hear from PJ and Melanie, two co-pastors planting a church in southwestern Virginia who have learned to let prayer, patience, and presence set the pace. They share honestly about discerning God’s leading, choosing slowness in a culture that rewards speed, and remaining open to change—even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. Their story is a reminder that deep roots are formed through intentional prayer, trust in God’s timing, and the courage to adapt for the sake of the people God has placed before us.

    57 min

  5. 12/08/2025

    From Woods to Table: Renewing Community in Rural Places with Clint and Steph Pearsall

    What happens when a rural church leans fully into the gifts of its landscape and the passions of its people? In this episode, we sit down with Clint and Steph Pearsall to explore how their congregation is building community through simple, heartfelt hospitality—from their wildly successful Hunters Dinner that gathers neighbors across generations, to creative outreach like inviting a local game warden to Vacation Bible School to spark kids’ curiosity and connection to the outdoors. Join us for a conversation full of laughter, storytelling, and fresh hope for ministry in the everyday rhythms of rural life.

    48 min

  6. 11/24/2025

    Faith at the Table: How Community Dinners Sparked Renewal with Nanc Bourne and Malcolm Fowler

    In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, we talk with Nanc Bourne and Malcolm Fowler about how a simple nudge from God grew into monthly community dinners that meet a real need in their rural town. What began with a few faithful people has become a lay-led ministry that’s strengthening relationships, feeding neighbors, and renewing the church’s mission. Their story shows how small steps—led by ordinary church members, not just pastors—can bear real fruit. If you’re longing to see your community thrive, this conversation offers hope and practical inspiration for what God can spark right where you are.

    52 min
  7. Faith on the Ground: Lessons from Disaster Relief and Rural Life with Tim Schwartz

    10/13/2025

    Faith on the Ground: Lessons from Disaster Relief and Rural Life with Tim Schwartz

    What happens when a heart for missions meets the quiet rhythms of rural life? In this episode of the Rural Renewal Podcast, we sit down with Tim Schwartz, a Pennsylvania pastor whose calling to short-term mission work has led him into all kinds of disaster relief efforts across the country. Tim shares how serving in places of crisis has reshaped his understanding of ministry and the local church. Now serving in a rural setting, Tim opens up about adjusting to small-town life—and how simple acts, like gathering with men for breakfast every week, have become spaces for real connection and transformation. Tim Schwartz lives in Cogan Station, PA with his wife, Jenn, and three children. He pastors Hepburn Baptist Church and works as the North Central PA Geographic Pastoral Servant for ABCOPAD.  He received his Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry at James Madison University and his Master of Divinity from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Throughout his last 25 years of ministry, Tim has pastored churches, worked as an interim minister, and facilitated numerous mission trips in disaster recovery. Tim is an avid Philadelphia sports fan, well-experienced youth sports coach, cancer survivor, and enjoys chatting with people over lunch or coffee. Email us:  podcasts@freshexpressions.com

    48 min
  8. Strength and Creativity in the Rural Church with John Crowder

    09/22/2025

    Strength and Creativity in the Rural Church with John Crowder

    What makes a rural church thrive in the face of challenges? In this conversation, we explore the strengths, creativity, and opportunities that rural churches carry into their communities—and how they can lean on faith to navigate the obstacles before them. Our guest is John Crowder, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church in West, Texas, and author of the newly released Anchor Point: How to Lead with Faith, Find Strength, and Rebuild with Hope After Crisis. John shares his own story of faith—growing up, sensing God’s call to ministry, and eventually being called west to shepherd a rural congregation. Dr. John Crowder (DMin) is the Sr. Pastor of First Baptist Church of West, TX, where he has served for over thirty years. John helped his community recover after a massive explosion in 2013. Since then, he has spent a great deal of time studying disaster recovery. He has led multiple training sessions for pastors and has spoken on the subject many times in churches and civic organizations and wrote Anchor Point after a culmination of over a decade of experience, study, and working with others going through disaster recovery. Related Resources: Anchor Point: How To Lead with Faith, Find Strength, and Rebuild with Hope After Crisis Email us:  podcasts@freshexpressions.com

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Renewal is happening in small-town churches. Many of Jesus' followers across rural regions are uncovering exciting possibilities as they explore creative and practical approaches to loving their neighbors. This podcast from Ascent 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.

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