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,…

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 L…

"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…

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 Cu…

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. W…

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 collec…

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…

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, …

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,…

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 …

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 proces…

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. Pas…

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 com…

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 …

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…

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…

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 abun…

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…

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 …

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 episod…

Everyone knows that leading a church is no easy task. We also know that successful leaders prioritize their own mental, physical, and spiritual health and they find the time they need to be encouraged, restored, and refreshed for ministry. That’s why the Ministry Life Retreat is designed as a time set aside for BCI pastors and other full-time churc…

In this fourth episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, BCI Leadership and Ministry Development Coach, Chris Mavity, introduces the absolute best discipleship program for your church. It’s called Integrated Discipleship and I think you’ll be surprised at what it is and how you can utilize it to cultivate more discipleship in your church.…

In this third episode of the Mission Innovate Podcast, we're talking with BCI’s newest staff member, Chris Mavity, as he shares his expertise in developing small groups, multi-site ministries, and volunteer development. Chris has over 30 years of ministry experience serving at multiple churches, including Grace Church in Des Moines, and North Coast…

In this second episode of the Mission Innovate podcast, we're talking about the Great Commission Baptist State Convention. What exactly is the Great Commission Baptist State Convention? That’s exactly what we discover in this episode. We’ll cover all the details you need to know in this discussion with BCI Executive Director Tim Lubinus.…

In this first episode of the Mission Innovate podcast, we talk with Tim Lubinus, Executive Director and Treasurer of the Baptist Convention of Iowa. We discuss the changes that have occurred in the convention in the last few years and how our newly clarified values will shape how we help churches in the future. The 5 BCI values that we discuss with…