In this episode of The LINC Talks Podcast, Pastor Bobby Bogard sits down with Tim and Shelly Thompson from The Joburg Church in northern Michigan to explore the realities and rewards of rural ministry. The Thompsons share their journey of faithfully serving in small communities, where deep snow, close-knit families, and limited resources shape the ministry landscape. Despite these challenges, they’ve found powerful ways to connect with their town, leading events like the Fourth of July parade, launching community outreach efforts, and fostering spiritual growth through leadership development and ministerial training.

Throughout the conversation, Tim and Shelly reflect on what it means to break free from the limitations of a traditional rural church mindset. They highlight the importance of strong relationships, the agility that smaller church communities often possess, and their intentional efforts to stay connected to broader ministry networks for support and inspiration. Their story serves as a reminder that, while rural churches may be small in size, their impact can be profound. This episode offers encouragement and practical insight for leaders in any context, proving that big Kingdom work can flourish in the most unlikely places.