About

FOUR YEARS OF STRENGTHENING RURAL CHURCHES

Nurturing thriving congregations in rural communities

The Rural Impact Leadership Conference equips small-town and rural churches to thrive in their Kingdom calling. RILC brings together trusted pastors, trainers and practitioners who understand the realities of rural ministry—small staffing, tight budgets and deep community ties.

What is the Rural Impact Leadership Conference?

The Rural Impact Leadership Conference (RILC) is a 1-day training event—with in-person or streaming options—designed to equip rural and small-town leaders and pastors in the nurture of thriving rural congregations.

This event is being administered by the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church which serves the region of Minnesota, N & S Dakota, and western Wisconsin in partnership with Oak Hills Christian College, the Evangelical Covenant Church Commission on Town & Country Ministries and Transform MN. Know that through this partnership RILC is intentionally interdenominational in its scope—all are welcome.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

"Finally, a truly rural-minded conference that is by and for rural pastors and leaders."

—Jake King, Pastor, Braham Evangelical Covenant Church

"Finally, a truly rural-minded conference that is by and for rural pastors and leaders." —Jake King, Pastor, Braham Evangelical Covenant Church

PRACTICAL TRAINING. GOSPEL CONVICTION. RURAL CONTEXT.

Our Guiding Values

  1. Historic Christian Beliefs – We are committed to the shared tenets of Christian faith, which are also contained in the shared creeds of the Church, on the nature of God, the deity of Jesus, the authority of scripture, the doctrine of salvation, the role of faith and grace, the doctrine of the Church, and the hope of the resurrection.

  2. The Kingdom of God – We are committed to Kingdom theology that presents God’s perfect rule and reign as God’s will and “good news” for humanity. This Kingdom was modeled for us in the example and teachings of Christ. Through Jesus, we learn how this Kingdom works and how Christians live as its citizens. So, our efforts will be biblically, and Kingdom based with no regard to partisanship.

  3. Rural in Context – We are committed to highlighting, affirming, utilizing rural (small town) voices and narrative as our primary platform and audience.

  4. Diverse Voices – We are committed to affirming the variety of pastors/leaders that God has gifted and called for ministry (including male and female voices, as well as those from varied ethnic, racial, and national identities) as God’s gift to his Church.

  5. Interdenominational – We are committed to the whole Christian Church—the variety of traditions this includes—to be an encouragement to all who follow Jesus and serve his Church.

  6. Quality – We are committed to providing a quality product for our constituents

  7. Affordable – We are committed to providing an affordable product for our constituents