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. During their first 14 years, they served churches in rural Nebraska and Kansas before becoming District Representatives for the Mountain Central District, where Jon encouraged and supported missionaries across seven states and recruited future rural ministry leaders.
In 2020, Jon and Debbie moved to Oregon, where Jon served as Assistant Director of Village Missions. In 2026, he transitioned into his current role as Director of Missionary Development. He oversees Village Missions’ On-Ramp programs at several Bible colleges and directs the Contenders Discipleship Initiative, helping prepare and develop the next generation of rural ministry leaders.
Jon’s passion for rural ministry began in childhood, growing up as the son of a rural pastor. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Grace College of the Bible and becoming certified to teach K-12 music, Jon initially pursued teaching and lay ministry before sensing God’s call to full-time ministry.
Jon and Debbie served on four Village Missions fields in Nebraska and Kansas, where Jon developed a particular passion for mentoring and equipping others for ministry. As a District Representative, he helped establish mentorship and training opportunities for students preparing for rural ministry. These efforts eventually led to the placement of several missionary pastors in full-time rural church leadership.
Jon brings nearly three decades of experience in rural ministry, missionary support, leadership development, and training future rural church leaders to his ministry with Village Missions.
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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