The Rural Church Podcast 2.0

What happens when you begin to see just how big God really is?

In this episode of Rural Church Podcast 2.0, Allen Nelson sits down with Matt Mays to discuss his journey into Reformed theology and the biblical truths that have shaped his understanding of God, salvation, and the Christian life.

How does someone come to embrace the doctrines of grace? What happens when Scripture challenges long-held assumptions? And why does a bigger view of God change the way we think about everything else?

This isn't merely a conversation about theological labels. It's about discovering the glory of a sovereign God and learning to submit our thinking to His Word.

Join us for an encouraging conversation about the journey to Big God Theology.

Young men need more than advice from a screen. They need older men in the local church who will know them, walk alongside them, and tell them the truth. In this episode, we consider the importance of relationships across generations and the value of learning from men who have walked with Christ through years of faithfulness, failure, and grace. Immaturity breeds immaturity. Surround yourself with more gray hair.

Pastor Allen is joined this week by Jordan Howe, owner of Kingdom Defense Training. They discuss a theology of safety and security as well as practical ways local churches ought to think through being prepared for emergencies in this present time of American history.

A link to Jordan's book: https://www.berithpress.com/bookstore/p/a-ministry-of-defense-by-jordan-howe

Happy Reformation Month from RCP! In this episode, Pastor Allen talks about the godly resolve pastors must have in seeking to be modern day reformers in bringing local churches, by God's grace, into a state of health.

For more, you may want to consider this sermon: https://www.youtube.com/live/xNNiXcD7XUI?si=bh5ZGyZhxvKj1v1m

What does it actually take to build a healthy local church—and why can that work take longer than some pastors expect?

In the second half of this conversation, Allen Nelson talks with Blake Boylston, pastor of Chaffee Crossing Baptist Church, about discipleship, pastoral patience, church discipline, raising up men for ministry, and the slow work of cultivating a faithful congregation.

This episode is helpful for both pastors and church members who are tempted to measure fruitfulness by speed, size, or visibility. Healthy churches are not built overnight. They are shaped over time through faithful preaching, careful shepherding, committed membership, and confidence in Christ’s promise to build His church.

In this episode, Allen interviews Blake Boylston, Pastor of Chaffee Crossing Baptist Church in Fort Smith, AR. We learn about Blake's pastoring in Georgia, time at Capitol Hill, and how this translates to faithful pastoral ministry in Arkansas. Part 2 drops next week!

Pastor Allen sits down with Pastor Samuel Farag of Bethel Baptist Church, Gorham, NY. Pastor Sam is the author of Eastern Orthodoxy through the Lens of Sola Scriptura. But in this episode we focus on his work with Village Missions and his ministry as a Pastor. To learn more about him, his journey out of Eastern Orthodoxy, and his book, go here.

God's design for the vast majority of mankind is to get married and have children. While we acknowledge there can be some exceptions to this, we should not apologize that this is the biblical expectation.

Pastor Allen is joined by Pastor Jacob Tanner to discuss America’s Christian heritage, the relationship between revival and cultural reform, and the problems with trying to impose Christianity through a top-down political program.

We reject the myth of secular neutrality. Christ is King now, and every person, institution, and nation is obligated to bow the knee to Him. But lasting Christian culture cannot be manufactured merely by seizing political power. It begins with regeneration, then works through faithful families and healthy churches before transforming the broader culture.

We also discuss the rise of racialism and the so-called “woke right,” the dangers of allowing political reaction to eclipse the gospel, and why Christians must pursue biblical justice without treating politics as our savior.

The answer is not retreat. It is not secularism. And it is certainly not compromise. It is the ordinary, patient, powerful work of preaching Christ, making disciples, strengthening churches, and trusting King Jesus to build His kingdom even in the face of wicked governments.

Pastor Allen interviews Pastor Jared Lincks of Lee Creek Baptist Church in Van Buren, AR. They talk about church life, the benefits of church conferences, and that Christ is worthy of a healthy church.