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
Jon Hansen
Director of Missionary Development, US
Jon Hansen and his wife, Debbie, have served with Village Missions since 1996, spending their first 14 years pastoring rural churches in Nebraska and Kansas. Jon later served as a District Representative, supporting missionaries and recruiting and mentoring future rural ministry leaders across seven states.
Since moving to Oregon in 2020, Jon has served in several leadership roles with Village Missions. He is now Director of Missionary Development, overseeing On-Ramp programs at several Bible colleges and directing the Contenders Discipleship Initiative.
Growing up as the son of a rural pastor, Jon developed a lifelong passion for rural communities and the local church. With nearly three decades of experience in rural ministry, missionary support, and leadership development, Jon is passionate about equipping the next generation to serve rural churches.
DR Speaker
Randy Picklesimer
District Rep, Heartland
“It all began with our desire to know how to study the Bible…”
Randy and Lisa Picklesimer pursued Contenders Bible Classes (now CDI) at Machias, Washington, and were content teaching adult Sunday school classes and ministering on the worship team while Randy ran his construction crew and Lisa enjoyed working at the school, but God was grooming them for a bigger purpose…
Both Randy and Lisa grew up in Christian households and were taught about God’s loving gift. Randy put his trust in Christ at an early age during Sunday school at a Village Missions church. Lisa accepted His salvation in VBS, but really felt the burning desire to hold onto Him no matter the cost at 12 years old.
Meeting at a small Christian school Randy’s junior year, they became high-school sweethearts and were
Evangelistic Champion
Ben Bielenberg
Pastor of Blue Mound Bible Church
Ben and his wife Kristen Bielenberg have been with Village Missions since 2013. They moved to Blue Mound, Kansas, in 2014 after finishing an internship in Michigan.
The mission of Village Missions is to help country churches thrive in rural North America by preaching the Word and loving the people. Since Ben and Kristen both grew up in rural areas—Kristen in rural central Kansas, and Ben on a farm in western Iowa—they understand the rural life and the need for Bible preaching churches in the small towns and countrysides across North America. Ben and Kristen have been blessed to partner Village Missions in sharing the Gospel and reaching the people of Blue Mound and the surrounding community for Christ. They have three kids who help and serve in their ministry when we they can.
Conference Schedule
| 8:30-9:00 am | REGISTRATION & FELLOWSHIP - Coffee |
| 9:00-9:20 am | WELCOME & WORSHIP |
| 9:20-10:15 am | SESSION 1 |
| 10:15-10:30 am | BREAK |
| 10:30-11:30 am | SESSION 2 |
| 11:30am-12:30 pm | Lunch |
| 12:30 -1:30 pm | SESSION 3 |
| 1:30-1:45 pm | BREAK |
| 1:45-2:45 pm | PANEL DISCUSSION |
| 2:45 - 3:00 pm | FINAL CHARGE |
| 3:00 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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