Brainerd Institute for Rural Ministry

06/01/2026

This week marks our residents last intensive study week!
They will be taught about Pastoral Ministry by Adam Pereira, one of the pastors at Covington Baptist Church.

Please be praying for Adam and our residents as they go through this week.

05/29/2026

05/27/2026

Why does good pulpit supply matter and how should churches think about guest preaching?

In this episode of Rural Pastors Talk, Joe Wagner, CJ Dematatis, and residents Jacob Smoker & Brydon Ratliff discuss faithful preaching, loving real people well, and practical wisdom for stepping into another church’s pulpit.

Listen on YouTube or wherever you get podcasts.

05/26/2026

Earlier this month some of the residents and some Brainerd staff attended a weekender at Capital Hill Baptist in DC for an extensive workshop on Ecclesiology!

These men took in many sights such as the Capital Building, Washington Monument, and The Museum of the Bible where they got to see portions of the Dead Sea Scrolls. So much Bible history they got to see and learn!

05/22/2026

What does it look like for a rural church to be known, trusted, and present in its community?

In this episode, we talk about the slow work of building trust, loving your town well, and why faithful presence matters in rural towns.

Watch this clip from the conversation, then catch the full episode on YouTube or wherever you listen to podcasts.

05/21/2026

"Be active in encouraging your members to take care of the guests that come."

This episode of Rural Pastors Talk was posted 2 weeks ago and is titled "Do You Pass the Hospitality Test?"

Check out our other episodes on YouTube or on Spotify!

05/20/2026

Have you ever felt this way after preaching a sermon? Then this article might be a useful tool for you!

You can find this article by going to our website and looking under resources!

05/15/2026

Joe Wagner (Brainerd Staff), Brydon (Resident) and their significant others, took a trip to Paint rock, Tennessee!

They spoke with hopeful church planters as well as their home church elders to share insights on the importance of rural ministry and possible steps towards planting a rural church.

These men and women made close friends of brothers and sisters who long for the glory of God to be displayed in rural places!

05/13/2026

Trinity Church in Antrim, PA has been a wonderful opportunity for our local residents to practice their preaching.
Thank you Andrew for preaching there this past Sunday!

05/11/2026

A big accomplishment for our Residency Director, Joshua MacClaren!
Josh graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity this past weekend!
Graduating alongside him, with his PhD, was Aaron Batdorf who came to teach our residents on Biblical Theology earlier in the year.

Congratulations to Josh and Aaron!