Rural Ministry Matters!
Rural Ministry Conference
Rural ministry brings both challenges and joys. If you’ve been feeling some of those challenges or wondering how to navigate them, this conference is for you! You will hear from veterans in rural ministry and glean wisdom and encouragement from other pastors and ministry leaders.
This conference is hosted by Village Missions as part of our goal to help country churches thrive.
Quick Details
Conference Speakers
Admin Speaker
John Adams
Executive Director, US
John Adams put his faith in Jesus early in life, encouraged by parents who modeled following Christ wholeheartedly. As a high school senior, he sensed God’s direction toward pastoral or missionary ministry. While pursuing a Biology degree at Oregon State University, John committed to following God’s will. There he met Candy Wiggers, whose parents, Mel and Jeannie Wiggers, served as Village Missionaries. After four years of friendship, John and Candy married. John went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree.
John and Candy spent a year in China teaching English before applying to serve with Village Missions. In 1995, they arrived at their first field in Butte Falls, Oregon, where they served until 2003. They then served in Hauser, Oregon, near Coos Bay, where John completed his Doctor of Ministry degree.
In 2017, John became Assistant Director of Village Missions. In 2020, following Brian Wechsler’s retirement, John became Executive Director.
John and Candy have two grown children. Candy enjoys quilting and creating fabric art, while John enjoys woodworking and outdoor activities.
DR Speaker
Mike Krutsch
District Rep, Coastal Northwest
The health problems that brought Mike and Kim back to the States after serving in Cambodia didn't quench their desire to reach out to people who don't know God in less-reached places. God took their experiences of serving in foreign missions with the working poor and disenfranchised and put them to work in rural America. The faces in America are different from Asia, but the issue remains the same: people need the hope that only Jesus can bring.
They have served with Village Missions since 2012, along with their two children. Mike and Kim served in Trail, Oregon, for nearly 13 years. Before that, they served in Prescott, Washington.
Mike and Kim are excited about their new role of caring for other missionaries and helping churches in the Coastal Northwest District thrive.
Evangelistic Champion
Heath Lynn
Pastor, Elk Plain Community Church
Heath was a software engineer, and Hannah was a full-time homemaker in the Seattle area, when Heath began sensing God's call to do something more for Jesus. That eventually led them to move their family 50 miles south to Spanaway, where they had both grown up. The hope was to reach old friends with the gospel while Heath continued to work in Seattle.
They began attending Elk Plain Community Church, the Village Missions church Heath had attended as a youth. In 2009, Heath and Hannah were invited by Village Missionaries Len and Marlene Phillips and District Representative Vern Wilkinson, to join Village Missions.
The Lynns became Village Missionaries in 2011 and served with the Phillips at Elk Plain Community Church until the Philips retired.
Through Village Missions, Heath and Hannah have come to understand their call to “do something more for Jesus.”
Conference Schedule
| 8:30 - 9:00 am | CHECK-IN & REFRESHMENTS |
| 9:00 - 9:20 am | WELCOME |
| 9:20 - 10:10 am | SESSION 1 John Adams: "Does God Care About Rural Ministry?" |
| 10:10 - 10:25 am | BREAK |
| 10:25 - 11:25 am | SESSION 2 Heath Lynn: "Evangelism...No Matter Where You Are" |
| 11:15 am - 12:30 pm | LUNCH |
| 12:30 - 1:20 pm | SESSION 3 Mike Krutsch: "Going the Distance" |
| 1:20 - 1:35 pm | BREAK |
| 1:35 - 2:15 pm | DISCUSSION GROUPS |
| 2:15 - 2:30 pm | Closing |
Conference Tickets
INDIVIDUAL
$25
Come enjoy a ministry conference specifically designed for pastors of small-town and rural churches. Get practical ideas and encouragement.
Includes
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