
In this episode, we hear from Allen Stanton, founder of Reclaiming Rural and author of Reclaiming Rural and The Gift of Small. Allen challenges the narrative that small or rural churches are failing. He talks about how...


religion
Hosted by empowerandequip · religion · EN
Relevant conversations between ministers, church leaders, and scholars, are brought to you by the staff of the Empower and Equip Initiative. Join us to hear the experiences and perspectives of rural and small-town church leaders throughout America. The Empower and Equip Initiative seeks to provide resources to help churches in rural areas and small towns enhance the vitality of their ministries and strengthen the leadership of the ministers and leaders who guide them. This podcast is part of Pepperdine University's 'Empower and Equip' program, funded generously by Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of their 'Ministry in Rural Areas and Small Towns Initiative,' and is hosted by the Siburt Institute at ACU.
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Contact path
Verified email
Booking probability
31%
Guest openness
Selective
Sign up to generate a grounded pitch for Empower and Equip.
Signup to Generate a PitchRelevant conversations between ministers, church leaders, and scholars, are brought to you by the staff of the Empower and Equip Initiative. Join us to hear the experiences and perspectives of rural and small-town church leaders throughout America.
Recent episodes include "Allen Stanton: Author of Reclaiming Rural and The Gift of Small" (20 October 2026, 35 minutes), "Johnny Hobbie: Camden, AR" (6 October 2026, 42 minutes), and "Tim Gunnells: Shelbyville, TN" (22 September 2026, 34 minutes).
Empower and Equip publishes roughly every two weeks, with episodes averaging 41 minutes across 24 episodes.
Booking probability for Empower and Equip is 31%, and the host is rated Selective on guests. Empower and Equip requires a Pod Score of 80 or higher. Empower and Equip's contact route on record: verified email.
The strongest fits for Empower and Equip are Religion & Faith. Empower and Equip has a religion audience.
Empower and Equip is a religion podcast with 24 episodes published.
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In this episode, we hear from Allen Stanton, founder of Reclaiming Rural and author of Reclaiming Rural and The Gift of Small. Allen challenges the narrative that small or rural churches are failing. He talks about how...

Episode #23
In this episode, host Shelby Pinson sits down with Johnny Hobbie, minister at Maul Road Church of Christ in Camden, Arkansas, for a discussion about the unique challenges and rewards of small-town ministry. Johnny...

Episode #22
In this encouraging episode, Shelby Pinson sits down with long-time minister and professor Tim Gunnels to explore what it truly means to shepherd a small-town congregation with patience and wisdom. Tim opens up about...

In this episode, we hear from Brad Roth, a rural Kansas pastor who’s passionate about small-town life and church. He kicks things off by breaking down the common myths we often hear — that rural areas are either perfect...

Episode #20
<p>Shelby Coble talks with Josh Tracy about his transition from living in the DFW Metroplex to small-town ministry. He expresses the difference in doing ministry in the two contexts by appreciating how his church...

Episode #19
<p>Shelby Coble talks with BJ McMichael, pulpit minister at the Main and Oklahoma Church of Christ in McAlester, Oklahoma, about building intentional relationships by strengthening existing pathways of connection and...

Episode #18
<p>Shelby Coble speaks with Tony Smith about his life and ministry in Kalispell, Montana. Over 20 years of living in Montana, Tony has developed strong relationships with church members and nearby ministries in...

Episode #17
<p>Shelby Coble and Kevin Hooper discuss how Kevin returned to his hometown and has spent fifteen years serving two congregations. In their conversation, Kevin shares how 17 churches in Washington County, Idaho, partner...

Episode #16
<p>Shelby Coble talks with Shawn Jones about his calling into ministry during his college years and the journey that calling has taken him on. Shawn now serves as the Northwest Regional Director for the Empower and...

Episode #15
<p>Shelby Coble speaks with Jason Swick, Minister of the Word at Prineville Church of Christ in Oregon, about his journey from electrical engineering into ministry and how both that background and his time as a campus...

Episode #14
<p>Shelby Coble interviews Doug Crum about his experience working at Austin Avenue Church of Christ. Doug, who moved from Hobbs, New Mexico, within the past year, shares the opportunities of transitioning to the...

Episode #13
<p>Shelby Coble talks with Andrew Gass about his ministry context in Keizer, Oregon, and his church’s emphasis on community engagement. Andrew shares how they have used the resources they've been blessed with to serve...

Episode #12
<p>Shelby Coble talks with David Bearden about the needs of his community in Stephenville and explains how the community has come together to provide resources to those in need in Erath County, specifically through the...

Episode #11
<p>Shelby Coble talks with Bart Croasmun about his life in ministry at Sulfur Wells Church of Christ. He shares his journey from bi-vocational service to full-time youth ministry. He also discusses the prompting and...

Episode #10
<p>Shelby Coble talks with Wes Horn about his 24 years of ministry at the Orient Street Church of Christ in Stamford, TX. Wes reflects on the challenges and opportunities that have shaped his ministry context...

Episode #9
Shelby Coble interviews Josh Yaeger of the 4th and College Church of Christ in Cordell, Oklahoma. Josh reflects on his journey in ministry and his experiences serving in rural Oklahoma, particularly during the past few...

Episode #8
<p>Shelby Coble interviews Scott Laird about his years of life and ministry in Great Falls, Montana and beyond. Scott reflects on the sustaining priorities for ministry, emphasizing the value of deep relational...

Episode #7
<p>Shelby Coble talks with Trevon Buchanan about his life in ministry at Stolley Park Church of Christ in rural Nebraska. Trevon shares the importance of serving the community as a church body and discusses his work...

Episode #6
<p>Shelby Coble talks with Matt Mills, who has served as the preaching minister at Perkins Church of Christ in Oklahoma for the past seven years. During his time there, Matt has recognized the growing needs of children...

Shelby Coble talks with Suzie Macaluso about her role as Director of Research for the Empower and Equip Initiative. Suzie shares her passion for studying congregations and her desire to help them succeed. She also...
Recent guests on Empower and Equip. Study who booked and why before you pitch.
Professor of Law & Political Science, Wayne State University Law School
Arthur Goodhart Visiting Professor in Legal Science, International Border Management and Technologies Association
Senior Deputy Athletic Director and Chief Operating Officer, The Federal Prospects Hockey League
Talk by Matt Mills, M&D Home Remodeling
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