Level Paths

Dr. Matt explores the work of church revitalization and the criticisms the efforts encounter in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt interviews Tri-State Bible College’s Vice President of Academics, Dr. Mark Phillips to discuss the rise of the “Somethings” - a new group identified in religious research. The episode imagines what ministering to the “Somethings” in Appalachia may look like.

Dr. Matt Shamblin explores an important question that people in ministry face either in their own lives or as a colleague seeks advice and prayer. When is it time to accept a new calling?

Dr. Matt serves as the Appalachian Research Fellow at the Appalachian Ministry Institute at Tri-State Bible College. In this episode, Matt expresses the biblical and contextual principle for pastors to commit to fellowship with one another as a source of encouragement and endurance in ministry.Regional pastors are invited to attend the Pastors' Networking Coffee at TSBC on the first Tuesday of each month from 9:00–10:00 AM.

Dr. Matt illustrates the need for the contextualization of ministry in Appalachia through NASCAR's own Appalachian heritage and experience. Also, Dr. Matt gives an update about our 2026 Appalachian Ministry Conference!

Did Christ come into existence at his birth? Did he give up his deity when he became a human? No and no! Dr. Matt welcomes back President Rex for a special Christmas edition of the Level Paths podcast to focus on a little bit of the theology of the incarnation. Praise to the Son Eternal! Merry Christmas!

After examining evidence-based studies about societal changes following the pandemic, Dr. Matt shifts his focus to the workplace and work relationships, faith and practice, and to the way people view life. Some researchers have called this the time of "The Great Detachment." People's priorities have changed. How has a lack of connection and commitment impacted local churches? Can Christians practice Christianity without community? Clinging to past-pandemic society and life may hinder ministries from being effective and faithful in post-pandemic realities.

Dr. Matt revisits COVID-19. The pandemic increased the speed at which some societal trends had been moving, such as declining mental health and skepticism about the credibility of institutions and authority. It also had the effect of strengthening and expanding the church's resolve toward gathering together. Mental health, authority, trust, gatherings, divisions, loneliness, and technology all relate to the changes ministries are facing in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt explores discouragement in Appalachian ministry through the biblical narrative about the prophet Elijah. He highlights the importance of finding encouragement in the presence of God, in the company of fellow believers, and receiving an endurance from God that never, never gives up.

Dr. Jacob Marshall joins Dr. Matt Shamblin to discuss patterns of change in Appalachian churches. Evidence of a past legacy of faith exists here; however, churches are encountering barriers today that are hindering them from experiencing God's blessing. Listen to learn about the patterns Dr. Marshall has discovered in his research.

Is the mission of the church to perpetuate Appalachian tradition or to make disciples of all nations? Dr. Matt kicks off the sixth season of the Level Paths podcast by exploring Why Change Matters in a Church, especially churches that exist in an Appalachian context.

Dr. Matt welcomes pastor Heath Bauer to discuss the difficulty of serving in Appalachia as opposed to his missionary seasons of service in China and Malaysia. Dr. Matt and pastor Heath offer encouragement to Appalachian pastors.

Dr. Matt and President Rex sit down with Angie Vanover, who serves as the Director of Children's Ministry at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Ashland, KY. Angie has many years of experience in leading dynamic approaches and administrative wisdom for Vacation Bible School in an Appalachian context. If you've ever had questions about out-of-the-box ideas, how to connect with parents, or the purpose that drives VBS, you'll want to get to know Angie!

Dr. David Wheeler joins Dr. Matt and President Rex on this episode of Level Paths. Dr. David is a faculty member in the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University and is an Oak Ridge, TN native. He has over 40 years of ministry experience.

Dr. Matt Shamblin welcomes Dr. Mark Phillips, the VP of Academics at Tri-State Bible College and a member of the Reasons to Believe Scholar Community. Mark also brings his experience as an assistant pastor at FBC Proctorville to address changes in Appalachian evangelism.

Pastor Emeritus of Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA Phil Neighbors joins Dr. Matt and President Rex to tell the story of five generations of Christian ministry from Appalachia to California. The earliest revivals in America and Appalachia are reframed through their impact not only in the immediate historical moment but also in the generational and geographical spread they generated.

Dr. Matt and President Rex discuss the missionary mindset that captured the early church, drove the Christian pioneers that entered north central Appalachia between 1750–1850, and steps to recovering today in and for Appalachia.

Dr. Jacob Marshall joins TSBC President Rex Howe for a light-hearted conversation about Appalachian Christmas Eve traditions. Jacob serves as the Assistant Pastor of Visitation & Outreach at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Ona, WV.

Dr. Matt Shamblin is joined by Tri-State Bible College Vice President of Academics Dr. Mark Phillips. They consider trends of a declining Christian subculture in Appalachia and what that means for the church today.

What's the condition of Appalachian pastors' relationships? The Bible clearly tells us that there are specific relationships to which we are accountable. These relationships can be critical to a pastor's encouragement. Dr. Matt and Rex share challenges and takeaways for community among pastors in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt and President Rex revisit a topic from Season 1 Episodes 11 and 12: What is the state of the church in Appalachia in 2024? Featured guests include Pastor Jacob Marshall of Antioch Baptist Church in Ona, WV and Pastor Kenny Estep of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church in Portsmouth, Ohio. Listen and join the conversation about the trends and transformations happening in Appalachian churches today.

Pastor Keith Menshouse (Lifesong Church, Ashland, KY) and Pastor Bobby Thomas (Indian Creek Southern Baptist Church, Alma, WV) join Dr. Matt Shamblin and President Rex Howe to discuss the nuances of transitioning from effective church planter to faithful local church pastor. What does making the shift look like in an Appalachian context?

Pastor and church planter Jerry Williams of Red Stone Church in Elizabethton, TN joins Dr. Matt and Rex to discuss the missiology of church planting in Appalachia. Pastor Jerry also serves on the Board of Planting Appalachian Churches (PAC).

Marquita Riepenhoff joins Dr. Matt and Rex to introduce her integrated ministry of therapeutic horticulture, which she employs to blend biblical counseling and master gardening.

Dr. Dave Earley discusses his leadership journey with Dr. Matt and Rex and previews his keynote sessions at the upcoming Appalachian Ministry Conference. Dr. Earley is a pastor, professor, church planter, author, and founder of Dave Earley Ministries, which provides transformational resources for the church to change the world.

Dwayne Mills serves as the Executive Director of Appalachia Reach Out, which aims to be Christ’s love in action in Martin, Perry & Pulaski County, KY & Nicholas County, WV. Dwayne joins Dr. Matt and Rex to describe how ARO reaches out with hope to the residents of Appalachia.

Dr. Andi Clements and Tanner Clements of Uplift Appalachia join Dr. Matt and President Rex to reimagine and recover the church’s essential role in the addiction crisis of Appalachia by equipping the church for theologically informed and trauma informed ministry.

Dr. Brian Arnold joins Dr. Matt and Rex to discuss leadership in the pulpit ministry of the local church. Brian is the former President of Phoenix Seminary and now serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Paducah, KY.

Dr. Matt and Rex kickoff the opening episode of season four with special guest, Pastor Matt McClay. Matt serves as the Student Pastor at Lewis Memorial Baptist Church in Huntington, WV. After sharing his own background, Matt introduces his missiological approach to youth ministry in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt and President Rex welcome Dr. Mark Phillips back to Level Paths to learn how deconstructing faith takes shape in Appalachia.

Pastor and Professor Jacob Marshall joins President Rex to discuss Scripture and Spirit in Appalachia. They consider the biblical context of 2 Timothy 3 where the God-Spirited Scriptures play a central role for discipleship in difficult days.

Dr. Matt Shamblin and TSBC President Rex Howe consider the impact of expectations on ministry leaders and congregations in Appalachia. Unrealistic expectations anchored in the context of a past era distract leaders and congregations from the real ministry opportunities of today.

Dr. Matt and President Rex visit with Dr. John Sullivan. Dr. Sullivan is a native of Ansted, WV and is recognized for his 26 service as the Executive Director of the Florida Southern Baptist Convention and 68 total years in ministry. He has pastored churches from Arizona to Florida. Under his leadership, the FL SBC planted 2,500 new churches, baptized 779,391 individuals, made historical impacts on international missions and national disaster relief, and strengthened institutions of theological education.

Dr. Matt and President Rex continue exploring how generational competition can transform into generational contribution to the great commission in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt and President Rex explore how generational competition can transform into generational contribution to the great commission in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt talks with two pastors, Dr. Paul Badgett (former pastor of FBC of Pikeville, KY and former SBC Regional Director of the eastern KY region) and Joshua Schmidt (current pastor of FBC of Grayson, KY), about the "glorious burden" of pastoral ministry in Appalachia. Starting with a recent article on exhaustion in the pastorate, Matt, Paul, and Josh frame out the scope of the pastoral burden and calling.

Dr. Matt and Rex discuss a controversial report on Appalachian Christianity from the year 1812, in which the Holy Spirit takes center stage.

President Rex and Dr. Matt welcome Pastor Heath Bauer from Unity Baptist Church in Ashland, KY.

President Rex and Dr. Matt return to the Level Paths podcast with Dr. and Pastor Kyle Boone. Kyle recently completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at Dallas Theological Seminary as part of the Rural & Small Town Pastors Cohort with a research emphasis in Discipleship Methods in Rural Youth Ministry. Kyle serves as the pastor of Hambden Congregational Church in NE Ohio.

Dr. Matt and President Rex welcome Dr. Keith Menshouse, who serves as a board member of Tri-State Bible College. Dr. Keith has several years of church planting experience, both in Appalachia and beyond.

Dr. Matt talks with Pastor Dean Fulks, Lead Pastor of Lifepoint Church and SEND Coordinator for the Ohio Valley. Pastor Dean is the keynote speaker for the Appalachian Ministry Conference at Tri-State Bible College on April 25, 2023.

President Rex and Dr. Matt welcome Dr. and Pastor Jeff VanGoethem to discuss the recent Asbury revival.

The Appalachian people often encounter prejudices in their lived experiences. Stereotypes in popular culture at large cast a shadow. Dr. Matt and Rex show that America’s “contemporary ancestors” have long contributed to and continue to enhance the value of God’s people and God’s world.

Rex and Dr. Matt talk with Jonathan Buckner, founding member of the bluegrass gospel band Chosen Road, about the history, meaning, and hope of music in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt and Rex close out 2022 with a conversation about Christmas traditions in Appalachia. Happy Advent and Christmas to all! Come Lord Jesus!

Dr. Matt Shamblin, TSBC Appalachian Research Fellow, and Dr. Mark Phillips, TSBC VP of Academics, talk with Dr. Desmond Barrett, Pastor of Summit Church of the Nazarene in Boyd County, KY about the history and impact of the Nazarene Church in Appalachia.

Dr. Matt and Pres. Rex explore evangelism in Acts 4-5 with a view toward contextualizing evangelism in Appalachia. Evangelism methods and resources are discussed.

Dr. Matt and Rex talk shop on Christian leadership and how the religious landscape of a contemporary Appalachian context requires adaptive leaders.

Dr. Matt and Rex talk about the painful realities of ministry as contextualized in Appalachia and explore why there's hope to press on toward Christ.

Biblical illiteracy is an increasing problem in the America culture and church. Dr. Matt and Rex welcome Dr. Brian J. Vickers to discuss this problem in Appalachia.