A One-Day Summit for Small Town Pastors

One in five Americans—about 60 million people—live in rural, small places.

But the challenges—financial decline, population loss, fatherlessness, drug abuse, and more—facing small places only rarely gain national attention.

Small places are not all bad. Johnny Cash questions if Jesus was left behind "in our little own home town"—because it's only there that Sunday is still sacred, family is still first, and helping others is still a priority. Small places can be wonderful! They can be like going back to the good ‘ol days!

But that's not the whole story. Many folks in small places feel forgotten & isolated. Some set out to isolate themselves, moving away from the big city for the open space. But others feel stuck—unable to find the job they want or the opportunities they need & unwilling to leave family & friends in need to go elsewhere. Nearly all have faced the wreckage left behind by drug abuse.

Since starting Trinity Grace Church six years ago, we have become increasingly aware of the opportunities and obstacles small places like Athens face.

The questions that have challenged us are: What church does our town need? What kind of pastor does our town need?

We are not experts! We have much to learn in how to answer these questions for our town!

Nevertheless, we want to invite you to a one-day summit on April 3, 2025 to consider together what faithful pastoral ministry could look like in small places.

Guests include:

Stephen Witmer, small town pastor and author of A Big Gospel in Small Places

Bob Kauflin, pastor, worship leader, and Director of Sovereign Grace Music

Sessions include:

Why Small Places Are Better & Worse Than We Think

Lessons Learned From Pastoring a Church for 40 Years in a Small Town of 800

Worshiping a Big God in a Small Place

The Heart of an Ordinary Pastor

I hope you will consider joining us!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

East Athens Baptist Church, 301 Central Avenue, Athens, United States