The Rural Church Podcast 2.0

In a day of soft preaching and safe Christianity, what does it look like to live with real ambition?From 2 Corinthians 5:9—“we make it our aim to please Him”—this message is a call to reject fence-straddling faith and recover a life driven by one singular pursuit: pleasing Christ.This isn’t about platform-building or cultural approval. It’s about holy ambition.In this sermon, you’ll be challenged to become:A glory zealot – consumed with the glory of God above all elseA Bible fanatic – unapologetically committed to the authority of ScriptureA gospel radical – anchored in the power of Christ crucified and risenA local church extremist – deeply devoted to Christ’s brideWhether you’re a pastor, church member, or simply trying to live faithfully in a confused culture, this episode will press you to examine your true aim.Because in the end, you won’t stand before a crowd, a culture, or a committee…You’ll stand before Christ.🎙️ Listen now and ask yourself: What is my ambition?

What does it really mean to be a Christian?In a world where words are constantly being redefined and diluted, even the term Christian has lost its weight. Is it merely agreeing with facts about Jesus—or is it something far deeper?In this summer sermon series, we return to the powerful, unchanging truth of the gospel: God doesn’t just improve people—He makes them new.Walking through passages like 2 Corinthians 5:17–21, Pastor Allen Nelson explores the miracle of reconciliation—how sinners at enmity with God are brought near through Christ—and what happens when that reconciliation is truly applied to the soul.This message will challenge shallow faith, confront cultural confusion, and call believers to live in the reality of what they are in Christ: new creations.You’ll discover:What reconciliation with God really meansHow Christ accomplished our salvation through the great exchangeWhy true Christianity always results in transformationWhat it looks like to live as a new man in a fallen worldThis is not behavior modification.This is not religious performance.This is the power of God creating new life.

What if much of what we’ve called “success” in ministry… isn’t success at all?In this sermon from Matthew 28:16–20, Pastor Randall Easter reflects on decades of evangelistic zeal—hundreds of professions, countless baptisms—and the haunting realization that many were never truly discipled.Jesus didn’t command us to chase numbers.He didn’t commission us to manufacture decisions.He commanded us to make disciples.This episode walks through the Great Commission with clarity and conviction, exposing the danger of emphasizing activity over obedience. What happens when we prioritize going, baptizing, or even teaching—but neglect the central command? We may be busy… but we may also be disobedient.With pastoral honesty and hard-earned wisdom, this message presses key questions:Have we confused professions of faith with true conversion?Are we producing disciples—or just moments?Who are you personally discipling right now?This isn’t a call to abandon evangelism—it’s a call to fulfill it rightly.Because the mission of the church is not merely to reach people… but to raise them.Faithful disciple-making is slow. Costly. Often unseen.But it is the very thing Christ has commanded—and the very place He has promised to be present.“Be a part of the solution. Invest in one.”

What does it truly mean for a church to be healthy?In this sermon, Pastor Jacob Robinson walks through Titus 1–2 to uncover a biblical vision for the local church—one that goes far beyond numbers, programs, or reputation. A healthy church is not defined by cultural standards or labels, but by God’s Word.He explores three essential marks of a healthy church:Led Strongly by qualified, godly elders who are above reproach and anchored in sound doctrineOperating Cooperatively as a body where every member—young and old—lives holy in everyday lifeHoping Joyously in the grace of God revealed in Christ, not in people, performance, or programsThis episode is a call to examine not just how we define a healthy church—but whether we truly believe Christ is worthy of one.Because in the end, a healthy church is not man-made. It is produced by the gospel, sustained by grace, and centered entirely on Christ.Christ is King. And Christ is worthy of a healthy church.

Here's the final episode with Cody Torres of Proclaiming Christ Ministries. In this episode, he and pastor Allen discuss how God has used the street preaching ministry to bear fruit at By the Word Baptist Church in Azle, TX. You will be excited about what God is doing! Then, they discuss the nuts and bolts of street preaching and you can pursue something like this in your own home town.

What’s really wrong with the world?It’s not just broken systems, natural disasters, or bad circumstances. The problem runs deeper. From Genesis 3, we see the truth clearly:the fundamental issue is sin in the human heart.In this episode, we unpack the devastating results of the fall:Information – the awareness that something is wrongExpiration – spiritual death and separation from GodSeparation – broken fellowship with God and othersImputation – Adam’s sin counted as oursFabrication – the “fig leaf life” of hiding, covering, and self-deceptionEver since the garden, humanity has been sewing fig leaves—trying to cover sin, silence shame, and avoid God. But it doesn’t work.You can hide from others.You can even fool yourself.But you cannot hide from God.The good news? There are only two options:Keep hiding… or run to Christ.🎙️ Listen now and consider:Are you living behind fig leaves—or have you come out into the light?

This is part 2 of our series with Cody Torres of Proclaiming Christ Ministries. In this episode we see how God moved Cody into street preaching and the things he has learned long the way.

Pastor Allen is joined by Cody Torres of Proclaiming Christ Ministries for a 3-part series on street preaching. In this episode, they address the pointed question: Is street preaching actually biblical? Find out for yourself! You will also be encouraged by hearing how God saved Cody by His sovereign grace.

This is from our Wednesday Night Teaching Series: What is a Reformed Baptist?

This is from our Wednesday Night Series: What is a Reformed Baptist?

Pastor Allen is joined by Justin Miller, the pastor of First Baptist Church in Puxico, MO. They talk about Pastor Justin's journey into being a confessionally reformed baptist. They give encouragement to pastors and discuss why Christ is worthy of a healthy church.

In this episode, Pastor Allen talks about Ephesians 5:15-17 and how Christians should consider the time the Lord has given them. This is not a pre-recorded sermon or teaching, but a podcasting plea to consider our walk. You can find out more about Providence Baptist Church at ProvidenceBaptistAR.com.

This week Pastor Nick White joins us to discuss his new book The Church Born in Preaching (click here). Nick and Allen talk about the necessity of preaching, its power, and how God uses it to reform His churches, save lost sinners, and bring glory to Jesus Christ.

What are the keys of the kingdom? Who has them? How are they exercised? This and more in this week's episode of The Rural Church Podcast 2.0

If God has decreed whatsoever comes to pass, and He has!, why should His people pray? In this episode, we discuss 5 reasons.

Part 2 of the Confessions of Faith discussion. From our Wednesday Night Teaching Series: What is a Reformed Baptist?

Pastor Allen is joined by his oldest two daughters and they discuss a Facebook post about how our worship ought to be "otherworldly" and the angry pushback received! This is a fun episode with a serious point. We hope you find it edifying! See more about our church at ProvidenceBaptistAR.com or https://www.youtube.com/@ProvidenceBaptistAR

Really grateful to have the opportunity to interview David Knight of ExposittheWord.com on his brand new and excellent book What it Means to Be a Christian: The Truth about the Gospel and Real Faith. Check out the book here: exposittheword.com/book

Should your church have a confession of faith? It already does! Whether it's on paper or not. This is from our Wednesday Night teaching series on "What is a Reformed Baptist?"

Pastor Allen is joined by Benjamin Allen who is the man behind The Confessional Baptist social media page on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Benjamin and Allen discuss a collection of topics including deacon ministry, Reformed Baptist unity, and the vision and purpose behind The Confessional Baptist. Check them out on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/theconfessionalbaptist

Pastor Allen walks through 5 kinds of pastors he has known in 20 years of ministry who are not seeing the church rightly. Is this being arrogant or a serious plea for faithfulness? Listen and decide!

Periodically we publish a sermon on the R.C.P. This week is Acts 2:21, "The Open Gate of Salvation", by Pastor Allen Nelson highlighting that there is a sincere and well meant offer of the gospel that should go out to all.

This was such a great discussion with Austin Chaney hearing about his testimony, his love for the Lord and His church, and then his new work in Bible Rebinding. You can find out on the show how to contact him or also go to their Etsy page here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GloryBoundBibles

Pastor Allen is joined again by Gunner Madewell. They discuss what a true church is as well as too many professing Christians "not knowing what they don't know" when it comes to life in a healthy church. Christ is worthy of a healthy church!

The RCP is delighted to have Pastor Danny Thursby back on the show once again! This time to discuss the office of Deacon. Is it an office? What is its function? Why does it matter? This was a great discussion on church polity. Toward the end of the episode, Danny gave an update on his daughter Opal. You can pray for her and support her by checking out this link: http://givesendgo.com/opalsky

This week, Pastor Allen is joined by Pastor Dewey Dovel from the Pacific Northwest. Dewey serves as an elder at Emmanuel Reformed Baptist Church in SeaTac, Washington (emmanuelreformedbaptist.org).This episode is a Table Talk in the truest sense—various and sundry topics served up like a Baptist potluck of conversation. From what it means to be a Reformed Baptist, to the value of Sunday evening services, to the biblical role of elders, the discussion is wide-ranging, pastoral, practical, and confessional.Pull up a chair and join us at the table.At the close of the episode, the For His Glory Conference is mentioned. Learn more and register here: fbcpuxico.com/2026-conference-signup

Today's episode is a sermon preached by Pastor Allen in December of 2025 from Matthew 6:10 on advancing the Kingdom of Christ. How is it advanced? Will you pray "Thy Kingdom Come" in 2026 and beyond?

Pastor Allen sits down with Jared Payne and they discuss his love for Spurgeon and the great things he has going on at apilgrimscoffer.com. Check it out!

Michael Coughlin is back again and he and Pastor Allen discuss 1 John 5:1, 1 John as a whole, and the relationship between regeneration and faith.

In this episode Pastor Allen reflects on 2025 and then discusses goals and challenges for 2026 and some encouragements on things you can be doing as we enter another year. Redeem the time!

Merry Christmas from The Rural Church Podcast! This Christmas Day here is an additional episode for you. Listen to this sermon from December 2, 2018 from Pastor Allen Nelson on Zephaniah 3:17.

This week's episode is from Isaiah 9:6, preached by Pastor Allen Nelson on 12/21/25 in the evening service of Providence Baptist Church. ProvidenceBaptistAR.com.

A joy to have Michael Coughlin back on the show to chat about a variety of topics and the things the Lord is doing in his life.

Jason Gunter is back again as he and Allen discuss the planting of Christ Reformed Baptist Church and all that the Lord is doing now in West Plains, MO. https://cornerstone1689.com

Pastor Jason Gunter of Cornerstone Reformed Baptist Church in West Plains, MO joins the podcast for a two-part episode. In this episode he and Pastor Allen discuss God's providence in his former church and the difficulties that ensued.

This week Pastor Allen is joined by C.J. Tanner to talk about C.J's new podcast, Providential America. They discuss the theology of providence, the importance of preserving our nation, and C.J.'s goal for this new work. Be sure and subscribe to Providential America and share it with others! Links below:Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/providential-america/id1850826843YouTube: https://youtube.com/@providentialamerica?si=WNXDK2Cq0ssvAVvn

This is part of a Wednesday Night series at Providence Baptist Church on why the teachings of Roman Catholicism are not compatible with Biblical Christianity. Sadly, this first episode did not get recorded properly. This is week 6 from that series and serves as a wrap-up.

This is part of a Wednesday Night series at Providence Baptist Church on why the teachings of Roman Catholicism are not compatible with Biblical Christianity. Sadly, this first episode did not get recorded properly. This is week 4 from that series examining the false Mary of Roman Catholicism and its demonic characteristics.

This is part of a Wednesday Night series at Providence Baptist Church on why the teachings of Roman Catholicism are not compatible with Biblical Christianity. Sadly, this first episode did not get recorded properly. This is week 4 from that series covering the false doctrines of purgatory and indulgences.

RCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday* each week). This is episode 4 of 4 and is obviously on a *Friday. These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from a Sunday School lecture in 2021 when Reformation Day and the Lord's Day fell on the same day.

RCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday* each week). This is episode 3. These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from a Sunday School lecture on Katirina Von Bora. *In light of Reformation Day being on a Friday, Episode 4 of this special series will release that day!

RCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday each week). This is the 2nd of these 4. These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from the sermon Pastor Allen Preached on the Reformation at Providence Baptist Church in 2016 when it was still known as Perryville Second Baptist and was then aligned with the SBC.

RCP 2.0 Special! In celebration of Reformation Month we are releasing 4 episodes in the next two weeks (Wednesday and Thursday each week). These episodes feature past teachings of Pastor Allen Nelson on the Reformation. This one comes from a Sunday School lecture in 2017 celebrating 500 years of the Reformation.

This week on the Rural Church Podcast 2.0 we look at the historical reality of the fall of the city of Jerusalem that occurred 70 A.D. This is from the Wednesday Night teaching series on eschatology at Providence Baptist Church.

This is the 2nd Part of Allen's and Jay's conversation about Voddie Baucham and how he impacted both of them. Woven into the conversation is discussion about Charlie Kirk and John MacArthur. The episode ends with thoughts about where we go from here.

Pastor Allen is joined by Jay Harrod, a fellow writer at ThingsAbove.Us. They discuss the sadness of Voddie Baucham's passing and how it is all the more so in the light of the passing of John MacArthur in July and the assassination of Charlie Kirk just a few weeks ago. This is a two part episode. Part 2 will publish next Wednesday.

This is part of a Wednesday Night series at Providence Baptist Church on why the teachings of Roman Catholicism are not compatible with Biblical Christianity. Sadly, this first episode did not get recorded properly. This is week 3 from that series regarding Rome's unbiblical view of sin.

This is part of a Wednesday Night series at Providence Baptist Church on why the teachings of Roman Catholicism are not compatible with Biblical Christianity. Sadly, this first episode did not get recorded properly. This is week 2 from that series regarding the canon of Scripture.

This is a sermon excerpt from Pastor Allen in his expositional series through the book of Acts. In this segment he walks through why Acts 2:38-39 cannot support the Church of Christ, Oneness Pentecostal, or paedobaptist positions .

In this episode, Pastor Allen gives an encouragement to pastors and churches on the need for biblical reformation. What is a healthy church? How do we get there? This episode walks through the answers to those questions.