Level Paths

After examining evidence-based studies about societal changes following the pandemic, Dr. Matt shifts his focus to the workplace and work relationships, faith and practice, and to the way people view life. Some...

Dr. Matt revisits COVID-19. The pandemic increased the speed at which some societal trends had been moving, such as declining mental health and skepticism about the credibility of institutions and authority. It also had...

Dr. Matt explores discouragement in Appalachian ministry through the biblical narrative about the prophet Elijah. He highlights the importance of finding encouragement in the presence of God, in the company of fellow...

Dr. Jacob Marshall joins Dr. Matt Shamblin to discuss patterns of change in Appalachian churches. Evidence of a past legacy of faith exists here; however, churches are encountering barriers today that are hindering them...

Is the mission of the church to perpetuate Appalachian tradition or to make disciples of all nations? Dr. Matt kicks off the sixth season of the Level Paths podcast by exploring Why Change Matters in a Church...

Dr. Matt welcomes pastor Heath Bauer to discuss the difficulty of serving in Appalachia as opposed to his missionary seasons of service in China and Malaysia. Dr. Matt and pastor Heath offer encouragement to Appalachian...

Dr. Matt and President Rex sit down with Angie Vanover, who serves as the Director of Children's Ministry at Rose Hill Baptist Church in Ashland, KY. Angie has many years of experience in leading dynamic approaches and...

Dr. David Wheeler joins Dr. Matt and President Rex on this episode of Level Paths. Dr. David is a faculty member in the Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University and is an Oak Ridge, TN native. He has over 40...

Dr. Matt Shamblin welcomes Dr. Mark Phillips, the VP of Academics at Tri-State Bible College and a member of the Reasons to Believe Scholar Community. Mark also brings his experience as an assistant pastor at FBC...

Pastor Emeritus of Valley Baptist Church in Bakersfield, CA Phil Neighbors joins Dr. Matt and President Rex to tell the story of five generations of Christian ministry from Appalachia to California. The earliest...

Dr. Matt and President Rex discuss the missionary mindset that captured the early church, drove the Christian pioneers that entered north central Appalachia between 1750–1850, and steps to recovering today in and for...

Dr. Jacob Marshall joins TSBC President Rex Howe for a light-hearted conversation about Appalachian Christmas Eve traditions. Jacob serves as the Assistant Pastor of Visitation & Outreach at Antioch Missionary Baptist...

Dr. Matt Shamblin is joined by Tri-State Bible College Vice President of Academics Dr. Mark Phillips. They consider trends of a declining Christian subculture in Appalachia and what that means for the church today.

What's the condition of Appalachian pastors' relationships? The Bible clearly tells us that there are specific relationships to which we are accountable. These relationships can be critical to a pastor's encouragement...

Dr. Matt and President Rex revisit a topic from Season 1 Episodes 11 and 12: What is the state of the church in Appalachia in 2024? Featured guests include Pastor Jacob Marshall of Antioch Baptist Church in Ona, WV and...

Pastor Keith Menshouse (Lifesong Church, Ashland, KY) and Pastor Bobby Thomas (Indian Creek Southern Baptist Church, Alma, WV) join Dr. Matt Shamblin and President Rex Howe to discuss the nuances of transitioning from...

Pastor and church planter Jerry Williams of Red Stone Church in Elizabethton, TN joins Dr. Matt and Rex to discuss the missiology of church planting in Appalachia. Pastor Jerry also serves on the Board of Planting...

Marquita Riepenhoff joins Dr. Matt and Rex to introduce her integrated ministry of therapeutic horticulture, which she employs to blend biblical counseling and master gardening.

Dr. Dave Earley discusses his leadership journey with Dr. Matt and Rex and previews his keynote sessions at the upcoming Appalachian Ministry Conference. Dr. Earley is a pastor, professor, church planter, author, and...

Dwayne Mills serves as the Executive Director of Appalachia Reach Out, which aims to be Christ’s love in action in Martin, Perry & Pulaski County, KY & Nicholas County, WV. Dwayne joins Dr. Matt and Rex to describe how...

Dr. Andi Clements and Tanner Clements of Uplift Appalachia join Dr. Matt and President Rex to reimagine and recover the church’s essential role in the addiction crisis of Appalachia by equipping the church for...

Dr. Brian Arnold joins Dr. Matt and Rex to discuss leadership in the pulpit ministry of the local church. Brian is the former President of Phoenix Seminary and now serves as the Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of...

Dr. Matt and Rex kickoff the opening episode of season four with special guest, Pastor Matt McClay. Matt serves as the Student Pastor at Lewis Memorial Baptist Church in Huntington, WV. After sharing his own background...

Dr. Matt and President Rex welcome Dr. Mark Phillips back to Level Paths to learn how deconstructing faith takes shape in Appalachia.

Pastor and Professor Jacob Marshall joins President Rex to discuss Scripture and Spirit in Appalachia. They consider the biblical context of 2 Timothy 3 where the God-Spirited Scriptures play a central role for...