By Pastor Jamie McClanahan11/12/2025 As I reflect on the outcome of the Virginia elections and their impact on Virginians—particularly Christians—I feel a sobering sadness. The cultural landscape seems to shift more quickly than many of us can process. It brings to mind the haunting introduction from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the … Continue reading A Response to the Virginia Elections: A Pastoral Reflection on Troubling Days and the Hope of the Gospel
Rural Ambassador
Encouragement and Equipping for Those Serving in a Small Town Rural Ministry Context.
The Significant Role of Small Town Rural Pastors (Part 2)
Small-town rural churches are significant because they contribute to Kingdom growth in many ways. First, they are giving to the CP. In 2023, SBC churches reported undesignated receipts of over $10 billion, up less than 1% from 2022, and mission expenditures through SBC avenues increased by 9% to nearly $800 million. Although they may contribute less than … Continue reading The Significant Role of Small Town Rural Pastors (Part 2)
The Significant Role of Small Town Rural Churches and Pastors (Part 1)
In this first series of blog posts, I would like to share some key statistics and trends about the effectiveness and impact of Small-Town Rural Churches in the Southern Baptist Convention. We should not assume they have a lesser role or impact because they comprise 1/3 of SBC churches. In 2023, 27% of SBC churches (approximately 12,663 of … Continue reading The Significant Role of Small Town Rural Churches and Pastors (Part 1)
Valley Shepherds 