Rural Matters: A Conference for Those Serving in Rural Settings

On September 18-19, the Billy Graham Center will be hosting our second annual Rural Matters conference at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois.

Last year, our team here at the Billy Graham Center launched our Rural Matters Institute. Sensing a need to equip rural church planters with tools and resources to best serve their communities, the Institute’s goal is to convene, network, and resource those are doing gospel work in the rural context.

There are 60 million people in rural America. But rural America is often overlooked when it comes to ministry resources. In September last year, we hosted our first Rural Matters Conference in Sasche, Texas. The conference was largely successful and we got great feedback from attendees, who expressed a desire for more networking opportunities.

As a result, we have created an online community through our various networks and launched the Rural Matters website. You have also probably noticed that we have featured more articles on rural ministry here on The Exchange. This increased visibility for rural ministry is all part of our concerted efforts to help foster a community among rural pastors and leaders.

On September 18-19, the Billy Graham Center will be hosting our second annual Rural Matters conference at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. The conference will both resource and equip rural church pastors and leaders with some tools for effective rural ministry.

The conference provides a unique networking opportunity for rural pastors who often labor alone in their gospel work. Our gathering is designed to build community around the importance of rural ministry and offer pastors an opportunity to recharge.

Over the course of the conference, attendees will:

Rural Matters Conference attendees get a free course from Ed Stetzer’s Mission Group. More information coming at the conference.
Have an opportunity to network with other rural pastors at our networking luncheon.