Rural Ministry Matters!

Rural Ministry Conference April 2024

Quick Details

When?

Thursday, April 25. 2024

Location

Cornerstone Berean Church
1004 30th Avenue
Kearney, NE - Map It

Cost

$50 - includes lunch

Conference Speakers

John Adams headshot copy

Main Speaker

Dr. John Adams, Executive Director of Village Missions

John has served with Village Missions since 1995--first as a Village Missionary in Butte Falls (OR) and Hauser (OR), then as Assistant Director, and now as Executive Director. He understands the joys and challenges of rural ministry and gives practical advice to those serving in small places.

John's two sessions will anchor the day of teaching and encouragement:

Session 1 Does God value Rural and Small Town Ministry?

Much of the focus of Christian ministry is on “strategic” cities. What value does God place on rural and small-town ministry? We will discover God’s enduring love for small places through the choices God made with Israel, where He sent Messiah, and the outreach of the early church.

Session 2 Think like a Missionary

We will consider culture shifts affecting rural and small-town communities and how a rural pastor can lead the way as a missionary to reach both long-term residents and newcomers.

Paul Harkness Headshot copy

Speaker

Paul Harkness, Child Discipleship Missionary with Awana

Paul Harkness has served as a Child Discipleship Missionary with Awana for 15 years in Nebraska, South Dakota, and parts of Wyoming and Minnesota. In that role, he shares the vision of child discipleship with churches and helps them with that ministry through training and walking alongside them as they start. Prior to that, he pastored rural churches for 20 years. He and his wife, Janet, live in Ord, Nebraska. They have four adult children, 14 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Session - "Discipleship of the Least of These"

DESCRIPTION - Primary Factors that Can Change Your Church's Child Discipleship Ministry

Johnny Walker

Speaker

Johnny Walker, Rural Pastor

Johnny has years of experience in rural churches. He currently pastors at West First Chapel in McCook (NE). 

As Johnny discusses how we can face our current church situation, he looks to 2 Peter and Matthew 28. 

Scott Downing Headshot copy

Speaker

Scott Downing, team member at Rural Compassion

Scott has served as pastor for 45 years, many of those years in rural towns. The smallest rural church Scott served was a town with a population of 325 with grocery shopping some 80 miles away. That’s rural. He and his wife, Janet, now work with Rural Compassion to encourage rural pastors.

Session: Presuppositions. Principles, and Practices for the Rural Church

There are five fundamental Presuppositions and four Practices that equip a rural and small church toward health and community engagement. Rather than a step-by-step manual, this workshop provides Principles that you work though as you apply them to your local church setting.

Conference Schedule

8:00-9:00am REGISTRATION - Donuts and coffee
9:00-9:15am WORSHIP -
9:15-10:00am SESSION 1 - Dr. John Adams
A Biblical Foundation for Rural & Small-Town Ministry
10:00-10:20am BREAK - Coffee & snack
10:20-11:05am SESSION 2 - Paul Harkness
Discipleship of the Least of These
11:05-11:15am QUICK BREAK
11:15-12:00pm SESSION 3 - Johnny Walker
Reaching Men in Your Community
12:00-1:00pm LUNCH - BBQ Pork, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Chips, Dessert, Coffee, Tea, Water
1:00-1:15pm WORSHIP -
1:15-2:00pm SESSION 4 - Scott Downing
Actions & Attitudes for Rural Church Leaders
2:00-2:15pm BREAK
2:15-3:00pm SESSION 5 - Dr. John Adams
Why A Missionary Mindset Matters
3:00-3:20pm BREAK - Cookies
3:20-3:55 pm PANEL DISCUSSION -
3:55-4:00 pm CLOSING REMARKS

Conference Tickets

INDIVIDUAL

$50

Come enjoy a ministry conference specifically designed for pastors of small-town and rural churches. Get practical ideas and encouragement.

Includes

Access to all sessions and events

Lunch

Your copy of "Shepherding the Small Church" by Glenn Daman

Add event to calendar

AppleGoogleOffice 365OutlookOutlook.comYahoo

Sponsors

village missions logo

This conference is hosted by Village Missions as part of our goal to help country churches thrive.