How to Make a Big Impact in a Small Town: Part 2

Dec 4, 2025

Discover how personal hobbies can create deeper connections in small towns, from coffee chats to crafting gatherings. Learn the importance of simple acts of kindness, like shoveling sidewalks and attending local events, to build trust within your community. Focus on one standout outreach initiative that showcases your church’s strengths. Hear about innovative ideas for long-term relationships, including community gardens and family engagement. This conversation brims with practical insights on making a significant impact where it matters most.

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ADVICE

Bring Your Hobby Into The Community

Have a hobby and take it outside the church lobby to build relationships and widen your networks.
Use hobbies missionally to connect with people who would never engage a pastor, as Mark Clifton shows with watches and Andy Addis's prepping.

INSIGHT

Hobbies Expand Your Influence

Hobbies make pastors more interesting and open doors to unexpected conversation partners and global connections.
Mark Clifton used watch collecting to meet missionaries and believers worldwide he otherwise wouldn't encounter.

ADVICE

Practice Relational Neighborliness

Be a good neighbor through small, consistent actions like walking, spending time in the front yard, and inviting people over.
Practical neighborliness (shoveling sidewalks, watching pets, attending kids' activities) opens relational doors into the community.

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Mark Clifton and Mark Hallock continue their conversation on how churches can effectively reach small towns and rural communities, using the Converge article “10 Ways to Reach Your Rural Community” as a springboard. If you’re a rural pastor, church replanter, or leader in a small-town church, this episode will help you think creatively about evangelism, outreach, and community engagement in your context.

In this episode, they explore how to:

1. Take your hobby out of the church lobby

Use your personal interests—sports, crafts, coffee, hunting, music—to build real relationships in the community.
Host hobby-based gatherings in neutral spaces like coffee shops, parks, or community centers to connect with unchurched neighbors.

2. Be a good neighbor in practical, everyday ways

Live out the gospel through simple acts of kindness, presence, and service in your small town.
Look for opportunities to help your literal neighbors, local businesses, and community organizations.

3. Turn your church’s “wow factor” up to 11 on one thing

Identify one outreach, ministry, or community event your church can do with excellence.
Focus your limited resources to make a big impact in a specific area that blesses your rural community.

4. Go “all in” on building bridges to your community

Invest time and energy in long-term relationships with schools, city leaders, nonprofits, and local families.
Create ongoing partnerships instead of one-time projects, so your church becomes a trusted presence in town.

Ideal for:

Rural and small-town pastors
Church replanters and revitalization leaders
Churches wanting to reach their rural community with the gospel

Resources Mentioned in This Episode

Article: “10 Ways to Reach Your Rural Community” by the Converge Network

Use this episode as a practical guide for rural church revitalization, small-town church outreach strategies, and community engagement that keeps Christ and His mission at the center.

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