Small churches gather at Equip conference to discuss challenges and opportunities

Jason Zaiger, a minister from Iowa with 25 years of service in his home state, shared insights at York University’s Equip Conference about the experiences of small-town and rural Churches of Christ. The conference, which drew about 230 church leaders from 18 states and Canada, focused on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by these congregations. Zaiger noted that while he anticipated more information on challenges than opportunities, he was struck by the deep love and passion for God, truth, and the church among the participants.

Zaiger was joined on a panel by fellow ministers Zeboriah Carter from Kansas, Calvin Chapman from South Dakota, and Rick Eldred from Nebraska. The discussion was moderated by Mike Cope, director of ministry outreach for Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. Cope leads university initiatives funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc., including a $7.5 million grant program aimed at strengthening Churches of Christ in rural and small-town areas across the U.S.

Cope allocated $1 million of the rural and small towns grant to York University after reading a 2024 Christian Chronicle article about Equip. “Just something clicked,” he said, emphasizing the value of partnering with existing efforts rather than starting from scratch. The conference highlighted the importance of collaboration and shared mission among church leaders.

York, a town with a population of about 8,000, is located at the intersection of Interstate 80 and U.S. Highway 81. Surrounded by vast fields of corn and soybeans, the town serves as an agricultural hub approximately 50 miles west of Lincoln. York University, established in 1890, has historical ties to Churches of Christ dating back to 1956. The university’s on-campus enrollment exceeds 400, with nearly 300 additional students enrolled in online and dual-enrollment programs.

The Equip Conference provided a platform for church leaders to share experiences, strategies, and resources. It underscored the resilience and dedication of small-town congregations, emphasizing their commitment to faith, community, and service. The event reflected a broader movement within the Restoration movement to support and empower local churches through shared knowledge and collaborative efforts.

As the conference concluded, participants left with renewed determination to address the challenges facing rural and small-town Churches of Christ. The event highlighted the importance of unity, partnership, and a shared vision for the future of the movement. The conference’s success demonstrated the power of collective effort in advancing the mission of the Restoration movement.

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