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Back to Rurality
Why did God pick you to glorify Him in the middle of nowhere -- and how are you supposed to do it?
Join rural pastor, TJ Freeman, each week as he explores why your life in a town no one ever heard of matters. He'll tackle tough questions like how to get through suffering, what to do if you don't like reading the Bible, and how to fight a life-dominating sin.
Back to Rurality is meant to help you take the next step toward becoming a healthy Christian -- in the middle of nowhere!
Episodes
42 episodes
Do You Have to Share Christ with the Unreachable? [40]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, pastor TJ Freeman addresses the feeling that some people in our lives might seem beyond God's reach. He uses the story of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 to illustr...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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11:11
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Is Life Letting You Down? [39]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the common disappointments in life when we place our hope in relationships, jobs, or health, only to be let down. He reads...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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8:29
How to Handle People Who Get Under Your Skin [38]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, discusses how to deal with people who drive you crazy. TJ emphasizes the importance of recognizing that everyone is made in God's image. He...
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6:48
The Danger of Fake Worship [37]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman addresses the struggles of being open and authentic in a small-town church. He shares the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts to illustrate the dangers ...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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10:47
Will God Forgive my Bad Choice? [36]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of 'Back to Rurality,' TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the time when we face the consequences of our poor decisions. TJ uses the story of Ezekiel, who, along with the people of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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14:05
When God Feels Distant [35]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of 'Back to Rurality,' host TJ Freeman discusses the sense of isolation that can come from living in rural areas and how it can make you feel distant from God. TJ is joined by guest CJ Dem...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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17:29
Why Rural Churches Can't Skip Discipling
Hosts: TJ Freeman, Joe Wagner, and Josh MacClarenSummary: In this episode of Rural Church Renewal, TJ, Joe, and Joshua discuss the misconceptions and challenges of discipleship in small, rural churches. They emphasize that...
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24:58
Does God Care that You’re Weary? [34]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman discusses the concept of true and lasting refreshment sourced from our satisfaction in the Lord. Through his own personal experiences and in his s...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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13:31
What's a Grace Story? [33]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman addresses the guilt many Christians feel about not sharing the gospel. TJ offers up a powerful tool for evangelism he calls 'grace stories'—nar...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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13:58
Why Am I So Overwhelmed? [32]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode, rural pastor TJ Freeman addresses the exhaustion and struggles many face in their daily lives. He brings encouragement through Revelation chapter 7, emphasizing that faithfulness amidst c...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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18:34
When Work Feels Meaningless [31]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman talks about the purpose we can find in everyday tasks, from chores to work to school, by recognizing God's greater plan. He shares personal ane...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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13:00
Can Christ Outshine the Christmas Glow? [30]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, reflects on the holiday season's mixed feelings and emphasizes making the most of it to point people to Christ. He shares personal stories,...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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18:56
Is This Verse of the Day Enough? [29]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of the podcast, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the challenge many Christians face of not regularly engaging with the Bible. He shares personal stories of his own struggles and how f...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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26:03
Should You Listen to Christian Radio? [28]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into whether Christians should listen to Christian radio. He shares that we should listen to songs, radio hosts, and radio preaching...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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28:39
What's Missing in My Life? [27]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into the endless pursuit of satisfaction in worldly things and its futility. He shares his own experiences of chasing material thing...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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21:58
Should You Take a Personality Test? [26]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, challenges the reliance on personality tests to define identity. He shares personal struggles with identity crises and emphasizes the impor...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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18:27
Feel Like You’re Losing Control? [25]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, host TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into dealing with life's hardest challenges, from severe diagnoses to financial struggles. Sharing personal stories and biblica...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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16:04
Conquering What Ifs — Finding God’s Grace in the Present [24]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, rural pastor TJ Freeman delves into the paralyzing effect of 'what if' worries and the importance of embracing God's grace for today. Listeners are encouraged to focus...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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15:58
The Most Important Thing for You to do Today — Rural Reset 21/21 [23]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman discusses the importance of love as outlined in scripture, emphasizing that love starts in the mind and often requires intentional, sacrificial actions. He ...
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18:40
Am I Supposed to Feel God's Spirit? — Rural Reset 20/21 [22]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: Rural pastor TJ Freeman explores what it means to feel the Holy Spirit's presence. He emphasizes that spiritual conviction often surpasses fleeting emotions. Through personal stories and biblical ins...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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16:14
Why You Should Have Your Neighbors Over This Week -- Rural Reset 19/21 [21]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into the common anxieties of showing hospitality, particularly in small towns. Through scriptural insights and practical advice, TJ ...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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19:13
Should I be Afraid to Take Communion? – Rural Reset 18/21 [20]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, delves into the concerns and misunderstandings surrounding the Lord's Supper. He explores who should partake in it, the meaning behind the ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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17:00
Is Baptism Necessary? – Rural Reset 17/21 [19]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses Baptism. He addresses common questions such as whether believers should get baptized, the legitimacy of infant baptism, and the s...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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27:13
I’m Afraid to Share the Gospel – Rural Reset 16/21 [18]
Host: TJ FreemanSummary: In this episode of Back to Rurality, TJ Freeman, a rural pastor, addresses the common challenge of sharing the gospel, especially in small towns. He shares personal experiences and practical steps to help...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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18:19