Developing, gathering, and resourcing rural churches in Southern Appalachia
About
Developing
One of our goals at Rural Church Development is to build relationships and speak good news into people’s lives praying that God would change hearts and rescue a people for Himself. Many rural and small places are “gospel deserts.” Many people live their lives beat down and discouraged, hiding under a cloud of guilt and shame. The good news is that God moves toward broken people to rescue and restore them to a righteousness that originates and culminates in Him alone.
Gathering
As men and women come to know the love God has for them, we want to help them grow in the grace of Jesus together. It is our goal to help people see and know the God of the Bible through gathered studies. The Bible is a compilation of 66 books that have a unified story of God’s rescue. We want to grow together to know how that story has unfolded, is unfolding, and will unfold, and who the true Rescuer is to save us for now and all eternity.
Resourcing
Our third goal is to help raise up servant leadership from within and find leadership from without to serve these communities as pastors either as full-time or bi-vocational. Thankfully, for those from within rural communities, our 21st century communication is such that there are alternatives to excellent education other than leaving the community to go to the city for a seminary. We desire to help men engage with a theological education that can equip them for pastoral ministry where they are.
This ministry is a mission. That means that we do not generate our own funds but we are solely funded by the generous gifts of presbyteries, churches, and individuals. Would you consider giving to His kingdom work through Rural Church Development? In so doing, you are reaching the small towns and rural people of Southern Appalachia with the hope of Christ.