Level Paths

Born and baptized in the Appalachian Mountains, the Jason Lovins Band has stayed true to their roots for over 20 years. By combining a rich heritage of gospel and country music with contemporary worship, they connect with audiences of all ages. Founded in 2005 in Eastern Kentucky, Jason Lovins first shared his testimony in an old Baptist church and continues to share it on some of the biggest platforms in Christian music. Jason and the band, featuring band members Rodney Mora, Aaron Crozier, and Jonathan Nicholson, travel extensively throughout the country sharing how God is constant in life’s mountain-tops and valley-lows.

President Rex pops into the Level Paths recording room to interview his former pastor, Dr. Jeff VanGoethem. Pastor Jeff is the Pastor of Spiritual Development & Missions at East White Oak Bible Church in Carlock, IL. He has been an influential leader on prayer and offer 40 years of experience in bringing prayer into the life of the local church.

Dr. and Pastor Matt McClay talks with Dr. Matt about the state of youth ministry in Appalachia. Pastor Matt is the Student Pastor at Lewis Memorial Baptist Church, and he will lead "Faithful in Student Ministry" at the Appalachian Ministry Institute Conference on October 6, 2026. Pastor Matt's longevity at his church as a member and as a minister offers helpful insights into the changes that youth ministry has experienced and equips you to reach young people today.

Dr. and Pastor David Lemming has served as Senior Pastor Lewis Memorial Baptist Church in Huntington, West Virginia for over forty-four years. This year, he will be the Keynote Speaker at the 2026 Appalachian Ministry Institute Conference at Tri-State Bible College on October 6, 2026. The long term faithfulness in ministry at Lewis has been built on the basics of biblical Christian ministry.

Dr. Matt meets with Pastor and Church Planter Will Basham of New Heights Baptist Church in Milton, WV. With God's grace, Pastor Will has created a culture of expository preaching, discipleship and leadership development, serious church membership, and mission through church planting. His church is committed to preaching through every book of the Bible by 2030. New Heights' discipleship model focuses on three simple tasks that anyone can do: Meet. Read. Pray.

Dr. Matt welcomes Dr. Desmond back to the Level Paths podcast to discuss opportunities in ministry. How does one evaluate potential ministry opportunities? How does leaving or returning to Appalachia impact this decision? How is God shaping your calling as you traverse seasons of challenge and success?

Dr. Matt spends time with Pastor John Gowdy to discuss ministry success and longevity in Appalachia. Pastor John recently completed forty-five years of pastoral ministry at Temple Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Ohio. While Pastor John saw social and economic decline take hold of his town, he also witnessed the glorious gospel of God transforming lives and confirming his call to pastoral ministry in Portsmouth for over four decades.

Dr. Matt offers sage advice for preaching in an Appalachian context. In addition to guidance, he touches on some of the common errors Appalachian preachers commit in sermon preparation and delivery. Since a regular diet of the Scriptures is critical to spiritual maturity, principles of expository preaching, such as exegesis, interpretation, and homiletics, are essential ingredients to preparing the spiritual meal that your congregation needs.

Correction: The date of the 2026 Appalachian Ministry Institute Conference is October 5–6.

Dr. Matt explores the work of church revitalization and the criticisms the efforts encounter in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt interviews Tri-State Bible College’s Vice President of Academics, Dr. Mark Phillips to discuss the rise of the “Somethings” - a new group identified in religious research. The episode imagines what ministering to the “Somethings” in Appalachia may look like.