Level Paths

Dr. Matt and Rex welcome Dr. Elijah Hixson (CSNTM) and Dr. Peter Gurry (Phoenix Seminary), who are co-editors of Myths and Mistakes in New Testament Textual Criticism. Join the conversation about journey of the Bible from original text through the copying process to translations and the unique experiences of encountering the Bible in Appalachian contexts, particularly the issue of KJV-Onlyism.

Dr. Matt Shamblin and Rex Howe host a conversation with Jason Lowe about pastoring and pastoral searching in Appalachia. Since 2013, Jason has served as the Associational Mission Strategist for the Pike Association of Southern Baptists, a network of Southern Baptist churches located in southeastern Kentucky. In this role, he consults with pastors and other church members on a regular basis. In addition to this role, he began serving as the Executive Pastor for First Baptist Church in Pikeville in 2015.

Dr. Matt and Rex discuss the importance is fellowship among those who are serving, shepherding, and stewarding in Christ’s mission. Along the way, they recap the 2022 Appalachian Ministry Conference at Tri-State Bible College.

Dr. Matt Shamblin and Rex Howe talk with Dr. Jeff Clark, Global Rural Researcher for the International Mission Board and Wheaton College’s Rural Matters Institute.

Matt and Rex welcome back Pastor Brad Brandt of Wheelersburg Baptist Church. Brad is a Certified Biblical Counselor with ACBC. In this episode, we discuss mental health in post-pandemic and how talking to ourselves and to God may be what we need.

Matt and Rex invite you to a conversation with Rachel Kinder (MissionWV), Dale Suttles (Sunrise Children's Services), and Dr. Kevin Bloomfield (Necco) to consider the biblical call upon the local churches of the Appalachian region for participation in adoption and foster care.

Matt and Rex sit with three experienced church planters in Appalachia. Chris Priestly, Jason Johnson, and Bobby Thomas pass on their wisdom and encouragement for those serving in Christ's commission by planting churches in Appalachia.

Matt and Rex discuss the phases of strategic planning and implementation in an Appalachian setting.

Dr. and Pastor Jeff VanGoethem traces the history of American revival movements and the impact of prayer to those movements. Matt, Rex, and Jeff consider what God’s burden is today.

Pastors David Lemming and Tim Yates of Lewis Memorial Baptist Church in Huntington, WV engage with Matt and Rex about the condition of the church and pastoral ministry and leadership through COVID-19.

Pastors Ryan Navy of River Valley Church, Jacob Marshall of Antioch Baptist Church, and Kenny Estep of Shawnee Hills Baptist Church engage with Matt and Rex about the condition of the church in Appalachia and pastoral ministry through COVID-19.

Matt and Rex interview Elder John Sparks, author of The Roots of Appalachian Christianity: The Life & Legacy of Shubal Stearns to discover more about the history of the Church and religious experience and practice in the region.

Tommy Reed who pastors Fitzpatrick Baptist Church in Prestonsburg, KY joins Matt and Rex to dissect the call of God on the life of an Appalachian pastor burdened to love a congregation and a neighborhood that includes the Islamic Center of East KY.

In this two part interview, TSBC's President Rex Howe and Appalachian Research Fellow Dr. Matt Shamblin welcome Dr. Tom Cheyney to Level Paths, where they discuss key principles and identify contextual challenges to church revitalization in the Appalachian region.

In this two part interview, TSBC's President Rex Howe and Appalachian Research Fellow Dr. Matt Shamblin welcome Dr. Tom Cheyney to Level Paths, where they discuss key principles and identify contextual challenges to church revitalization in the Appalachian region.

Matt & Rex welcome Pastor Brad Brandt. Pastor Brad loves teaching the word of God so that people will love and live for Jesus. He received biblical training from Cedarville University (B.A.), Grand Rapids Baptist Seminary (MDiv Pastoral Studies, ThM Old Testament Studies), and Grace Seminary (DMin). Brad is a certified biblical counselor and Fellow with the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC). He has pastored Wheelersburg Baptist Church since 1987.

Dr. Mark Phillips, Professor of Christian Apologetics and Philosophy at Tri-State Bible College, join Matt and Rex for an introductory conversation about Critical (Race) Theory in Appalachia.

Dr. J. Matt Shamblin and Rex J. Howe interview Dr. Desmond Barrett, the lead pastor at Summit Church of the Nazarene in Ashland, KY. The Barrett Family came to Summit Nazarene as the pastoral family in January of 2019 after serving in the Virginia and Kentucky Districts. Pastor Desmond is a graduate of Nazarene Bible College with a Bachelor of Ministry degree and Trevecca Nazarene University with a Master of Organizational Leadership and Doctor of Education in Leadership and Professional Practice. Pastor Desmond and Julie have four children and are passionate about living the mission of Christ and seeing His Kingdom built locally and around the world. The Barrett's have been married since 2000.

Tri-State Bible College (TSBC) Appalachian Research Fellow Dr. J. Matt Shamblin and TSBC President Rex J. Howe introduce the financial tension facing those serving in Appalachian ministry and explain the aim of the Level Paths podcast.

Tri-State Bible College Appalachian Research Fellow, Dr. J. Matt Shamblin, and TSBC President, Rex J. Howe, continue to introduce Christian ministry in Appalachia through a brief history of the church in the region and by sharing their own Christian experiences as "preacher boys" in central Appalachia.

Dr. J. Matt Shamblin and Rex Howe of the Tri-State Bible College Appalachian Ministry Institute begin to unpack "Appalachia" and the nature of Christian ministry in the region. Matt and Rex discuss the history of Christian ministry in Appalachia, some of the spiritual perils unique to Appalachia, and the level paths giving a clear view to God's glory in Appalachia.