We have an encouraging audio interview in store for you in the 25th episode of the BCI Mission Innovate Podcast. Our guest is Eric Schumacher, who recently left his role as Associate Pastor at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Ames to become the Pastoral Ministry Director, here at the Baptist Convention of Iowa, our newest staff role. In this episode, we'll explore Eric’s journey of faith, his passions, and his goal of serving pastors, especially in their challenges. So, whether you're a pastor, a church leader, or simply curious about Eric’s new role at BCI, listen to the podcast for valuable insights, inspiration, and to get to know Eric!

Check out this insightful audio interview with Pastor Matt Heerema from Stonebrook Church in Ames. In this engaging discussion, Pastor Matt shares his expertise on the fundamentals of leading a team in church ministry. Learn how leadership becomes a powerful tool for serving others. This interview expands on his helpful teaching from the May 2023 Lunch & Learn event: The 3 Circles of Church Teams. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this captivating interview.

"We're all here to help each other be reconciled to God. We're all here to comfort one another. We all here to encourage one another. We're all here to equip one another in the faith."

Join Pastor Matt Heerema from Stonebrook Church in Ames as he shares his leadership journey and explores the joys and challenges of serving as a leader. In part 2 of this interview, discover the transformative power of teamwork in gospel ministry. Strengthen your church ministry teams by listening to this insightful and inspiring conversation. Tune in now for the full interview replay!

Have you ever considered the incredible potential of a strong, united ministry team in tackling the greatest hurdles your church faces? This is the 22nd episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast from the Baptist Convention of Iowa. This is a special episode because we have an audio replay from a recent event: our Lunch and Learn event from the BCI Cultivation Co-Op. It was the best Lunch and Learn yet and we had really good interaction between the church leaders there. Pastor Matt Heerema, from Stonebrook Church in Ames, brought a challenging teaching out of 1 Peter around the idea that “Ministry is a team sport.” The insights and challenges he shared were truly eye-opening.

How can we as a family of churches work toward breaking bondage of sin in our communities? As a convention, we have partnered with some great gospel-centered ministries through what we call the “Breaking Bondage Initiative.” In the episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus tells us more about this new initiative. We discuss the five amazing ministries that YOU support through your BCI Cooperative Program giving. The Breaking Bondage Initiative is one of the newest ways that we collectively spread the gospel while meeting needs across our state.

What does “Local Missions” mean? How can churches develop a gospel presence in their community through meeting tangible needs? In this episode, we sit down with BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus to answer these questions. We discuss how BCI churches are serving the needy in their communities for the sake of the gospel, as well as what we do collectively as a convention to meet needs across our state. 

If your church wants to develop a gospel presence in your community through meeting tangible needs, reach out to Tim or Ben on the BCI Contact Page. We’d love to discuss some next steps for your church. If your church is already active in this type of ministry, consider applying for matching funds through the Iowa Ministry Fund webpage. 

What are the challenges pastors face when balancing preaching and other ministry responsibilities? How can preachers grow in their skill in the art of preaching? In this episode we are talking with two of our young pastors, Matt Reeves, pastor of First Grace Baptist Church in Sheffield, and Steve Bensema, pastor of Mosaic Church in Marshalltown. We discuss their personal preaching practices as well as their experience in the recent BCI Preaching Cohort.

REGISTER FOR THE PREACHING WORKSHOP

https://bciowa.org/event/preaching-workshop-with-andy-addis/

What is the best way to prepare for preaching? This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is the second half of a conversation with Todd Stiles, Lead Pastor at First Family Church in Ankeny. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the art and craft of preaching, as well as Pastor Todd’s own personal practices for sermon preparation, rehearsal, delivery, and gathering feedback. We also discuss preaching resources available to BCI pastors, such as the recent BCI Preaching Cohort and the upcoming BCI Preaching Workshop.

BCI PREACHING WORKSHOP: https://bciowa.org/event/preaching-workshop-with-andy-addis/

What principles can we use to evaluate what constitutes “good preaching?” This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is the first half of a conversation with Todd Stiles, Lead Pastor at First Family Church in Ankeny. In addition to sharing his passion for preaching, Pastor Todd explains the 3 principles that he uses to evaluate his own preaching, his #1 tip for new preachers, and lessons he’s learned over the years that have changed his preaching.

This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is Part 2 of a conversation that BCI Finance Manager, Chris Eller and I had with Jonathan Meyer, Student Ministries Pastor at Grace Church in Des Moines. Learn all about Pastor Jonathan’s leadership in the recently launched “BCI Youth Leader Cohort” and hear a powerful explanation of why next generation ministry is so essential to the church today. Find links to all of the mentioned resources on the Grace Student Ministry Resources website at www.gracestudentministry.com or on the BCI Youth Ministry Resources webpage at www.bciowa.org/youth.