We have an encouraging audio interview in store for you in the 25th episode of the BCI Mission Innovate Podcast. Our guest is Eric Schumacher, who recently left his role as Associate Pastor at Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Ames to become the Pastoral Ministry Director, here at the Baptist Convention of Iowa, our newest staff role. In this episode, we'll explore Eric’s journey of faith, his passions, and his goal of serving pastors, especially in their challenges. So, whether you're a pastor, a church leader, or simply curious about Eric’s new role at BCI, listen to the podcast for valuable insights, inspiration, and to get to know Eric!

Check out this insightful audio interview with Pastor Matt Heerema from Stonebrook Church in Ames. In this engaging discussion, Pastor Matt shares his expertise on the fundamentals of leading a team in church ministry. Learn how leadership becomes a powerful tool for serving others. This interview expands on his helpful teaching from the May 2023 Lunch & Learn event: The 3 Circles of Church Teams. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this captivating interview.

"We're all here to help each other be reconciled to God. We're all here to comfort one another. We all here to encourage one another. We're all here to equip one another in the faith."Join Pastor Matt Heerema from Stonebrook Church in Ames as he shares his leadership journey and explores the joys and challenges of serving as a leader. In part 2 of this interview, discover the transformative power of teamwork in gospel ministry. Strengthen your church ministry teams by listening to this insightful and inspiring conversation. Tune in now for the full interview replay!

Have you ever considered the incredible potential of a strong, united ministry team in tackling the greatest hurdles your church faces? This is the 22nd episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast from the Baptist Convention of Iowa. This is a special episode because we have an audio replay from a recent event: our Lunch and Learn event from the BCI Cultivation Co-Op. It was the best Lunch and Learn yet and we had really good interaction between the church leaders there. Pastor Matt Heerema, from Stonebrook Church in Ames, brought a challenging teaching out of 1 Peter around the idea that “Ministry is a team sport.” The insights and challenges he shared were truly eye-opening.

How can we as a family of churches work toward breaking bondage of sin in our communities? As a convention, we have partnered with some great gospel-centered ministries through what we call the “Breaking Bondage Initiative.” In the episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus tells us more about this new initiative. We discuss the five amazing ministries that YOU support through your BCI Cooperative Program giving. The Breaking Bondage Initiative is one of the newest ways that we collectively spread the gospel while meeting needs across our state.

What does “Local Missions” mean? How can churches develop a gospel presence in their community through meeting tangible needs? In this episode, we sit down with BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus to answer these questions. We discuss how BCI churches are serving the needy in their communities for the sake of the gospel, as well as what we do collectively as a convention to meet needs across our state. If your church wants to develop a gospel presence in your community through meeting tangible needs, reach out to Tim or Ben on the BCI Contact Page. We’d love to discuss some next steps for your church. If your church is already active in this type of ministry, consider applying for matching funds through the Iowa Ministry Fund webpage.

What are the challenges pastors face when balancing preaching and other ministry responsibilities? How can preachers grow in their skill in the art of preaching? In this episode we are talking with two of our young pastors, Matt Reeves, pastor of First Grace Baptist Church in Sheffield, and Steve Bensema, pastor of Mosaic Church in Marshalltown. We discuss their personal preaching practices as well as their experience in the recent BCI Preaching Cohort.REGISTER FOR THE PREACHING WORKSHOPhttps://bciowa.org/event/preaching-workshop-with-andy-addis/

What is the best way to prepare for preaching? This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is the second half of a conversation with Todd Stiles, Lead Pastor at First Family Church in Ankeny. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the art and craft of preaching, as well as Pastor Todd’s own personal practices for sermon preparation, rehearsal, delivery, and gathering feedback. We also discuss preaching resources available to BCI pastors, such as the recent BCI Preaching Cohort and the upcoming BCI Preaching Workshop.BCI PREACHING WORKSHOP: https://bciowa.org/event/preaching-workshop-with-andy-addis/

What principles can we use to evaluate what constitutes “good preaching?” This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is the first half of a conversation with Todd Stiles, Lead Pastor at First Family Church in Ankeny. In addition to sharing his passion for preaching, Pastor Todd explains the 3 principles that he uses to evaluate his own preaching, his #1 tip for new preachers, and lessons he’s learned over the years that have changed his preaching.

This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is Part 2 of a conversation that BCI Finance Manager, Chris Eller and I had with Jonathan Meyer, Student Ministries Pastor at Grace Church in Des Moines. Learn all about Pastor Jonathan’s leadership in the recently launched “BCI Youth Leader Cohort” and hear a powerful explanation of why next generation ministry is so essential to the church today. Find links to all of the mentioned resources on the Grace Student Ministry Resources website at www.gracestudentministry.com or on the BCI Youth Ministry Resources webpage at www.bciowa.org/youth.

In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Communications Director, Ben Bradley and BCI Finance Manager, Chris Eller interview Jonathan Meyer, Student Ministries Pastor at Grace Church in Des Moines. Part 1 of this interview explores the challenges in student ministry today, and the necessity of developing an effective discipleship process for youth and students in your church. Download many excellent Grace Student Ministry Resources at www.gracestudentministry.com or on the BCI Youth Ministry Resources webpage at www.bciowa.org/youth.

Are you satisfied with the quality and depth of prayer in your own life? In your church? In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Communications Director Ben Bradley & BCI Finance Manager Chris Eller interview Rob Jones, a Regional Director of the 6:4 Prayer Fellowship and Lead Pastor at Fellowship Community Church in Norwalk, Iowa. Pastor Rob takes a deep dive into the 6:4 Fellowship model of Scripture-Fed, Spirit-Led, Worship-Based Prayer and explains all the prayer resources available to BCI pastors right now, for free. Listen through the end of the interview to learn about the special offer for BCI pastors to receive coaching in prayer and leading prayer in your church. Find out more about these prayer resources at www.bciowa.org/prayer.

What does it take to win in Children’s Ministry? In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Leadership and Discipleship Coach, Chris Mavity and I interview Becky Doubleday, Children’s Ministry Director at First Family Church in Ankeny. We discuss the qualities necessary to thrive in children’s ministry leadership and the importance of community to help you find the next right step for you in ministry.

This episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast is the last of a 4 part series on the “5 Fundamentals Skills for Church Leaders,” a framework for ministry developed by BCI Leadership and Ministry Development Coach, Chris Mavity. In this final segment, Chris digs into the 5th skill required for a fruitful ministry: “Monitor,” as well as the leadership required to implement this framework in your church. Download a PDF diagram of the 5 Fundamental Skills in the show notes to follow along.DOWNLOAD THE DIAGRAM (PDF)https://bciowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Worksheet-Five-Fundamental-Skills.pdf

In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, we continue to dig into a framework for ministry called the “5 Fundamentals Skills for Church Leaders.” This is part three of a 4-part series, and in this segment, BCI Leadership and Ministry Development Coach, Chris Mavity, discusses the 3rd and 4th skills: Place & Support. Download a PDF diagram of the 5 Fundamental Skills in the show notes to follow along.DOWNLOAD THE DIAGRAM (PDF)https://bciowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Worksheet-Five-Fundamental-Skills.pdf

In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Leadership and Ministry Development Coach, Chris Mavity, continues digging into a framework for ministry called the “5 Fundamentals Skills for Church Leaders” that a church can utilize to harvest gospel fruit. This is part 2 of a 4-part series, and in this segment, we are going to dig deeper into the first 2 of the 5 Fundamental Skills: Recruit & Train. You can download a PDF diagram of the 5 Fundamental Skills using the link below.DOWNLOAD THE DIAGRAM (PDF)https://bciowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Worksheet-Five-Fundamental-Skills.pdf

In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Leadership and Ministry Development Coach, Chris Mavity, introduces a framework for ministry called “5 Fundamentals Skills for Church Leaders.” In this first part of a 4-part series, we discuss the “Law of the Harvest” and an overview of how the 5 Fundamental Skills can help your church reap abundant gospel fruit in your ministry field. Use the link below to download the PDF diagram. DOWNLOAD THE DIAGRAM (PDF)https://bciowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Worksheet-Five-Fundamental-Skills.pdf

In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, I speak with BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus and BCI Associate Director Chris Eller about BCI cohorts, one of the newest initiatives that we have launched with the goal of connecting pastors together for learning and encouragement. Do you have an idea for a cohort that you would be a great fit for you? Email us at bciowa@bciowa.org or visit www.bciowa.org to let us know how we can get you connected.

In this episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus joins us to discuss the latest developments regarding the 3-year, 1 million dollar Expansion Plan, which was approved by the BCI executive board in 2021. We cover some of the new resources and initiatives to serve BCI pastors and churches, especially in the area of Multiplying Missions both locally and globally. Listen to the interview for the full story.BCI Expansion Plan: https://bciowa.org/bci-executive-board-approves-expanded-vision-plan/$5k to Ukraine Refugee Relief: https://bciowa.org/5k-to-ukraine-refugee-ministry-bci-expansion-plan/Donate to Ukraine through Send Relief: https://www.sendrelief.org/projects/ukraine/

Since 2018, Chris Eller has been serving BCI in his role as Associate Director by overseeing BCI administration, leading events, and bringing together many pastors and church leaders in BCI events and meetings. In this interview, Chris shares about the new job he will be taking. But don’t worry, he’ll still be part of BCI! Listen to the full episode to learn more.Ruth Harbor Ministries: https://ruthharbor.org/