A Call to Remember the Unsung Heroes: Our Rural Churches in the Assemblies of God

 

Within the Assemblies of God family, much heart, soul, and finances go toward home missions and world missions—both vital fields for the expansion of God’s kingdom. Big churches lead the charge with immense resources to impact cities, nations, and continents. Yet, there is another great mission quietly unfolding across our land: the rural churches.

These rural congregations, though smaller and often overlooked, are the backbone of countless communities and keep the flame of the gospel burning in places that might otherwise be forgotten. Many rural pastors are bi-vocational, juggling a secular job alongside their calling, faithfully shepherding their flock with limited budgets and resources. They celebrate victories as modest as a repaired roof, a new outreach event, or simply paying the church mortgage that weighs heavily on their hearts month after month.

Have we ever considered the immense difference the big churches could make with one sacrificial offering? Imagine if a few large congregations partnered to wipe away the mortgage burdens of rural churches across a state. The impact would be profound and immediate. Freed from crippling debt, these churches could hire part-time pastoral staff or—perhaps a revolutionary thought—give their pastors a well-deserved raise.

Such an act would not just be charity; it would be strategic kingdom investment. It speaks volumes about valuing every laborer and every congregation, no matter the size or location. The rural church pastor might never headline a big conference or be invited as a guest speaker on prominent stages. Yet in their tenacity, in their unwavering commitment through thick and thin, they represent a treasure trove of wisdom and perseverance.

The struggles in rural ministry are real, often magnified in challenging ways compared to larger congregations. But the heartbeat is the same. The gospel is preached. Lives are changed. Communities are impacted—one neighbor, one family, one outreach at a time.

As we rally resources for missions abroad and urban centers at home, may we also lift up and strengthen our rural churches. They embody the spirit of faithfulness in the trenches of ministry. Releasing them from financial burdens would reinvigorate their ministry and refresh the spirit of the pastors who serve tirelessly.

Let us remember: the mission field is not only abroad and in big cities—it’s in every small town, every country road, every humble church building. The Assemblies of God is a family. Let us support all its members to advance the kingdom of God with equal zeal and compassion.

Together, with big church resources and rural church heart, we can move mountains.