Level Paths

Matt and Rex interview Elder John Sparks, author of The Roots of Appalachian Christianity: The Life & Legacy of Shubal Stearns to discover more about the history of the Church and religious experience and practice in the region.

Tommy Reed who pastors Fitzpatrick Baptist Church in Prestonsburg, KY joins Matt and Rex to dissect the call of God on the life of an Appalachian pastor burdened to love a congregation and a neighborhood that includes the Islamic Center of East KY.

In this two part interview, TSBC's President Rex Howe and Appalachian Research Fellow Dr. Matt Shamblin welcome Dr. Tom Cheyney to Level Paths, where they discuss key principles and identify contextual challenges to church revitalization in the Appalachian region.

In this two part interview, TSBC's President Rex Howe and Appalachian Research Fellow Dr. Matt Shamblin welcome Dr. Tom Cheyney to Level Paths, where they discuss key principles and identify contextual challenges to church revitalization in the Appalachian region.

Matt & Rex welcome Pastor Brad Brandt. Pastor Brad loves teaching the word of God so that people will love and live for Jesus. He received biblical training from Cedarville University (B.A.), Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary (MDiv Pastoral Studies, ThM Old Testament Studies), and Grace Seminary (DMin). Brad is a certified biblical counselor and Fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). He has pastored Wheelersburg Baptist Church since 1987.

Dr. Mark Phillips, Professor of Christian Apologetics and Philosophy at Tri-State Bible College, join Matt and Rex for an introductory conversation about Critical (Race) Theory in Appalachia.

Dr. J. Matt Shamblin and Rex J. Howe interview Dr. Desmond Barrett, the lead pastor at Summit Church of the Nazarene in Ashland, KY. The Barrett Family came to Summit Nazarene as the pastoral family in January of 2019 after serving in the Virginia and Kentucky Districts. Pastor Desmond is a graduate of Nazarene Bible College with a Bachelor of Ministry degree and Trevecca Nazarene University with a Master of Organizational Leadership and Doctor of Education in Leadership and Professional Practice. Pastor Desmond and Julie have four children and are passionate about living the mission of Christ and seeing His Kingdom built locally and around the world. The Barrett's have been married since 2000.

Tri-State Bible College (TSBC) Appalachian Research Fellow Dr. J. Matt Shamblin and TSBC President Rex J. Howe introduce the financial tension facing those serving in Appalachian ministry and explain the aim of the Level Paths podcast.

Tri-State Bible College Appalachian Research Fellow, Dr. J. Matt Shamblin, and TSBC President, Rex J. Howe, continue to introduce Christian ministry in Appalachia through a brief history of the church in the region and by sharing their own Christian experiences as "preacher boys" in central Appalachia.

Dr. J. Matt Shamblin and Rex Howe of the Tri-State Bible College Appalachian Ministry Institute begin to unpack "Appalachia" and the nature of Christian ministry in the region. Matt and Rex discuss the history of Christian ministry in Appalachia, some of the spiritual perils unique to Appalachia, and the level paths giving a clear view to God's glory in Appalachia.