Rural and Small-Town Churches

How can churches faithfully embody the mission of God in their communities? The Rural and Small-Town Churches ministry community will invite church leaders to explore what it means to become churches that listen, see, and serve. As we explore being the church that listens, we will consider how attentiveness to the Spirit of God and a deep understanding of our identity as God’s people can shape faithful ministry. In thinking about our role as the church that sees, we will explore practical ways to better understand and engage in our community. And as we examine what it means to be the church that serves, we will talk with congregational leaders that have built meaningful partnerships within their communities and become trusted contributors to the well-being of the whole. We hope you will join us as we imagine how our congregations can more fully participate in the work God is doing in our churches and our towns.

SESSION INFORMATION

Trevon Buchanan, Melanie Gibson, Brock Paulk, alongside David Bearden and Michael Harbour will examine what it means to holistically join in the work that God is doing in the rural and small-towns that many of our churches serve. Not only will you hear from speakers with a heart for rural and small-town churches, but you will spend time discussing these topics as a ministry community.

THURSDAY MORNING SESSIONS

  • The Church That Listens | Melanie Gibson and Michael Harbour

    • How do we cast a vision as rural and small-town churches that grounds us in an identity as God’s chosen people, and what does it look like for that identity to be the basis for ministry?

THURSDAY AFTERNOON SESSIONS

  • The Church That Sees | Trevon Buchanan

    • How do we truly come to know our community in a way that sees all people as God’s children, and why does that matter?

FRIDAY MORNING SESSIONS

  • The Church That Serves | Brock Paulk and David Bearden

    • What does it mean to partner well with our communities, and what are some ways that churches are doing this?

 

Facilitators

Trevon Buchanan

TREVON BUCHANAN

Originally from Texas, Trevon Buchanan has devoted many years to ministry, serving for ten years as a fill-in and traveling preacher and for seven years as a youth minister. These experiences allowed him to work with a wide range of congregations and develop a deep passion for teaching and encouraging others. For the past six years, he has served as the pulpit minister at the Stolley Park Church of Christ in Grand Island, Nebraska, where he continues to focus on preaching and strengthening the church community. Trevon and his wife, Julie, are blessed with four grown children. Together, they seek to pattern their lives after Abraham’s calling—a life walking in faithful obedience.

 

Melanie Gibson

MELANIE GIBSON

Melanie Gibson serves as the Associate Minister at 4th and Elm Church of Christ in Sweetwater, Texas. For more than 16 years, she has ministered in a variety of roles with a strong focus on children, youth, and community outreach. After graduating from Abilene Christian University in 2002, Melanie and her husband, Blair, served in youth ministry in Marble Falls and Sweetwater. During that time, Melanie also taught elementary students in the public schools where they lived and served. Since 2013, Melanie has been actively involved in reaching at-risk youth through Opportunity Camp, a summer outreach, and a school-year mentoring program called Lunch Buddies. She is passionate about helping young people feel seen, valued, and connected to God and others. Melanie and Blair have two children: Brody, a sophomore at Abilene Christian University, and Mallory, a senior at Sweetwater High School.

 

Brock Paulk

BROCK PAULK

After 23 years in congregational ministry in Texas, Brock Paulk joined the Siburt Institute team in 2025 to serve with the Empower & Equip Initiative. He leads the national effort to develop the initiative's library of resources for small-town and rural churches, and he also coordinates regional efforts to connect and support leaders in these churches. Brock holds bachelor's and master's degrees from ACU's College of Biblical Studies. 

 

ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS

DAVID BEARDEN

Lead Minister, Graham St. Church of Christ (Stephenville, TX)

DR. MICHAEL HARBOUR

Longtime Minister, Serving Churches across Texas