Connecting and equipping rural churches in small towns and communities across America.
Every small town and rural community deserves a life-giving, Bible-believing, community-transforming church.
Dirt Roads Network is:
- Encouraging rural pastors and congregations with resources and conferences designed specifically for them.
- Leading rural-church cohorts that guide rural congregations through the process of remissioning.
- Networking with other rural-focused ministries to reach, encourage, and equip pastors and congregations for their mission context.
- Establishing a network of churches committed to rural congregations.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38
Bringing rural pastors together for development and camaraderie.
Cooperatives are formed communities with the common goal to harvest in rural communities (Matthew 9:35-38). Together these workers learn, galvanize, grow, and encourage one another as ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 5:20).
Cooperative participants are invited to renew their spirits and remember the One who has called them through remembering their mission and shifting to a missionary mindset.
Spiritually and practically equipping churches for a new season of health and harvest.
As parts of rural America are declining, so have many of their life giving churches. At Dirt Roads Network, we are committed to helping the small places that want to have a big impact.
Through our Revitalization Cohorts, churches are guided in a Spirit-led process so that their ministry can thrive for the glory of God.
A Long-Term Journey of Missional Renewal for Rural Pastors and Congregations
The River is a guided journey designed to help rural churches move from maintenance to mission—becoming communities that are spiritually renewed, deeply discerning, and actively sent into their God-given context.
"Just as Jesus went through towns and villages proclaiming the good news, Dirt Roads Network is faithfully pursuing a vision to ensure that every small town in America has a church that rekindles light in places long left in the shadows. Their passion for overlooked places mirrors the very pulse of Christ’s mission, beating with his love for the forgotten and the unseen. It is a privilege and a pleasure to partner with them in this sacred work and to witness rural communities renewed by the gospel."
Dr. Jason McConnell, Director of the Rural Church Institute at the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center
“When Steve McVey thinks of rural communities he envisions unique strengths and Kingdom opportunities. Rural areas across North America and around the world need life giving churches equipped to meet the pressing and lasting needs of those around them and multiply to other locations. Dirt Roads Network is empowering pastors and lay leaders to fulfill the Great Commission."
Wayne Schmidt, General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church
"When I am asked by a rural church leader for resources specifically designed for rural work, I always recommend the Dirt Roads Network (DRN)! The leadership at the DRN provides excellent resources for those working in rural churches throughout North America... The leadership of the DRN lives and breathes rural work. They are missional in their heart for rural work. They see rural as a mission field."
Dr. Jeff Clark, Rural and American Indiana Network Specialist at The International Mission Board, SBC