Hilltop Conversations

Episode Summary

On this episode of Hilltop Conversations, President Rodney Loper talks with Tom Sproles about his journey into funeral service, from sensing God’s leading to become a funeral director to completing his education and internship and eventually building a funeral home in New Castle.

He also discusses funeral planning, preparing for the financial costs, navigating grief, and the importance of being called to this ministry.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God’s Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Tom Sproles

• 36-Year Licensed Funeral Director & Founder of Sproles Family Funeral Home
• Graduate of Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science & Indiana Wesleyan University
• Former Chairman of the Indiana State Board of Funeral and Cemetery Service

Topics Covered

• Entering the Funeral Service Profession
• Funeral Planning and Financial Preparation
• Navigating Grief and Serving Families

Website

• sprolesfamilycares.com

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro & College Life

05:15 Entering the Funeral Service Industry

22:25 Funeral Arrangement Tips

41:56 Final Advice

Episode Summary

President Rodney Loper interviews Janet Church (Sankey) on this episode of Hilltop Conversations. Janet shares how she followed God’s leading through different seasons of life, from marriage and missionary work to becoming a nurse.

Janet Church was married to Leonard Sankey and served as a missionary in Central America for 17 years. She later became a registered nurse, working for 34 years while continuing to support her husband in ministry.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God’s Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Janet Church (Sankey)

• Master of Science in Nursing
• Registered Nurse, 1978-2012
• Missionary, 1962-1979

Topics Covered

• Following God's Leading
• Missionary to Central America
• Starting Nursing School

Video Chapters

00:00 Arriving at GBS

14:35 Missionary to Guatemala

30:35 Nursing

43:30 Final Thoughts

Episode Summary

On this episode of Hilltop Conversations, President Rodney Loper interviews Dr. Philip Brown. They discuss sanctification, 1 Thessalonians, and the call to love God and others.

Dr. Phil, who has taught at God’s Bible School & College for 24 years, holds multiple advanced degrees and is a co-editor of A Reader’s Hebrew Bible.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God’s Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Dr. Philip Brown

• Graduate Program Director at God's Bible School & College
• PhD in Old Testament Interpretation from Bob Jones University
• MA in Bible from Bob Jones University

Topics Covered

• Loving God and Loving Others
• Sanctification
• 1 Thessalonians

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro

04:00 Loving God and Loving Others

06:53 Sanctification

29:45 1 Thessalonians

35:58 Final Thoughts

Episode Summary

President Rodney Loper interviews Bill Marshall on this episode of Hilltop Conversations. Bill has worked in education for 40 years, serving in various ministry settings. He currently serves as the Facilities Office Manager at GBS.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God’s Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Bill Marshall

• MA in Education from Xavier University
• Current Facilities Office Manager at God’s Bible School & College
• Principal of Aldersgate Christian Academy, 2007–2017
• Principal of Hobe Sound Christian Academy, 1990–2007

Topics Covered

• Conversion Story
• Working in Ministry
• Navigating a Spouse's Illness

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro

09:36 Conversion Story

16:20 College

23:45 Meeting His Wife

25:00 Ministry

30:28 Navigating a Spouse's Illness

Episode Summary

On this episode of Hilltop Conversations, President Rodney Loper interviews Cory Bowman about starting a church and business in Cincinnati, running for mayor, his connection to Vice President JD Vance, and outreach in the city.

Cory Bowman is a business owner and pastor in downtown Cincinnati who also ran for mayor of Cincinnati in 2025.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God’s Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Cory Bowman

• Pastor of The River Church
• Co-owner of Kings Arms Coffee
• 2025 Cincinnati Mayoral Candidate

Topics Covered

• Starting a church & business
• Running for Cincinnati mayor
• Connection to Vice President JD Vance
• Outreach in Cincinnati

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro

07:04 Starting a church & business

14:00 Running for Cincinnati mayor

24:04 Connection to Vice President JD Vance

27:56 Outreach in Cincinnati

Episode Summary

On this episode of Hilltop Conversations, President Rodney Loper interviews Kent Stetler to discuss moving to the mission field, attending and working at a Bible college, and dealing with loss.

Kent Stetler, who currently serves as registrar at GBS, is also actively involved in ministry through Youth Challenge and his local church.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God’s Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Kent Stetler

• Registrar at God’s Bible School & College
• MBA from LSUS (2024)
• BA in Church & Family Ministry from GBS (2010-2015)

Topics Covered

• Moving to the mission field
• Attending and working at a Bible college
• Dealing with loss

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:40 Moving to the Mission Field

13:05 Moving to GBS

19:40 Dealing with Loss

28:46 Ending Advice

Episode Summary

President Rodney Loper interviews Dr. Nadine Brown on this episode of Hilltop Conversations to talk about her life, attending graduate school, raising a family, and pursuing her career.

Dr. Nadine Brown is a research scientist and college professor who has coauthored NIH-funded grants, contributed to numerous publications, and authored a parenting book published by Tyndale House.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God's Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Dr. Nadine Brown

• Research Scientist & College Professor
• Coauthor of NIH-Funded Grants & Author of Numerous Publications
• Author Published by Tyndale House Publishers

Topics Covered

• Attending graduate school
• Raising a family
• Pursuing her career

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro

20:43 Attending Graduate School

24:30 Raising a Family & Teaching

32:45 Pursuing Molecular Biology

38:03 Moving to Cincinnati & Animal Research

Episode Summary

Cameron Going joins President Rodney Loper on this episode of Hilltop Conversations to discuss attending public high school, navigating college, surrendering his career to God, and connecting with youth.

Cameron currently serves as assistant pastor at Bethel Holiness Church and previously served for three years as youth pastor at Beavertown God's Missionary Church.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God's Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Cameron Going

• Current Assistant Pastor at Bethel Holiness Church
• Former Youth Pastor at Beavertown God’s Missionary Church (3 years)
• 2022 GBSC Graduate

Topics Covered

• Attending public school
• Surrendering his career to God
• Connecting with teens
• Listening to the still, small voice

Video Chapters

00:00 Intro & High School Years

12:27 Attending College

25:00 Connecting with Teens

32:26 Final Thoughts

Episode Summary

Nathan Dahler shares his unexpected career path—from growing up in a pastor’s home, to Bible college, to the funeral industry, campus recruitment, and ultimately building a successful insurance agency from the ground up. Along the way, he reflects on how God’s provision and guidance showed up in each transition—even when the next step didn’t make sense at the time.

The conversation also breaks down how insurance actually works, why rates have changed in recent years, and what people often misunderstand about coverage. Through real stories—from major claims to missed opportunities with life insurance—Nathan offers a practical look at protecting what matters and caring for people in difficult moments.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God's Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Nathan Dahler

• Owner/Agent of Shelter Insurance Agency
• Enrollment Director for GBSC (2014-2018)
• Funeral Director

Topics Covered

• Nathan’s journey from Bible college to funeral service to insurance
• How insurance works (and why rates have increased)
• Common coverage gaps and real-life claim stories

Takeaways

• God’s provision often becomes clear only in hindsight, especially through unexpected career paths
• Insurance isn’t about small inconveniences—it’s designed to protect against major, life-altering loss
• Having the right coverage (especially life insurance and liability) can make a significant difference for families

Video Chapters

00:00 Background, College, Funeral Business

07:14 Working at GBS

10:39 Shelter Insurance

21:49 Explaining Insurance

26:26 Life Insurance

27:44 Insurance Claims

31:37 Final Thoughts

Episode Summary

In this episode of Hilltop Conversations, Jared Henry shares his journey of surrendering to his calling as a pastor, hearing God’s voice during change, navigating a health crisis, and staying encouraged in ministry.

Henry is also the president of the Holiness Partnership whose goal is to resource the church to be faithful and fruitful.

Dr. Rodney Loper

• President of God’s Bible School & College
• PhD in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University
• MA in Leadership and Preaching from Trinity Theological Seminary

Jared Henry

• Lead Pastor at Mackey Church of the Nazarene
• President of the Holiness Partnership

Topics Covered

• Surrendering to the call of God
• Hearing God's voice during change
• Navigating a health crisis
• Staying encouraged while in ministry

Takeaways

• For pastors: It's easy to fall into a rut in ministry
• For layworkers: Be a Barnabas to your pastor

Video Chapters

00:00 Growing up in a Pastor's Home15:19 Transitioning to a new church21:28 Advice to pastors24:13 Mackey, Indiana27:10 The Holiness Partnership34:36 Ending Advice