The Church That Could in a Town of 714 People

test

Bardwell Baptist Church is located in Bardwell, Kentucky, a town of 714 people. Twenty years ago in 2000, the population was 799. Bardwell is, for the most part, an unknown town in a rural area of Kentucky. 

But God knows where Bardwell is. 

Jason Burnett became the pastor in 2021. Worship attendance was around 100 when he arrived, down from a remarkable peak of 200 in the year 2000. 

The church has a number of members who are ready for God to do something in their church. Indeed, the church called Jason as its pastor with a keen awareness that they had to reach people with the gospel. 

A little over a month ago, the church began the 30-day journey through The Hope Initiative (www.HopeInitiative.com). 

You must hear what God has done in that church in that small town. Chuck Lawless conducted a brief ten-minute interview with Jason. 

Watch this video and be amazed. It is nothing short of a miracle. 

If God can do such a powerful work in this church in a non-growing, rural town, He can do that same work in your church. 

What an amazing God we serve.

Posted on September 25, 2023


With nearly 40 years of ministry experience, Thom Rainer has spent a lifetime committed to the growth and health of local churches across North America.
More from Thom

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

3 Comments

  • Rev L B Jennings says on

    Praying for Alain Pierre Muzongo Mpungu and Tracy Holcomb. May The LORD GOD renew their strength and bless them both with knowledge, wisdom and understanding and power, love and strong minds… on The NAME of JESUS CHRIST our LORD and SAVIOR.

  • Alain Pierre Muzongo Mpungu says on

    Father in the name of Jesus, show us the way to prosperity, how to have money this month and beyond, how to have a home to serve you, how to have a stable home, how to restore my relationship with my wife Aline, how to have a decent job, how to have a great ministry for the salvation of souls and how should my brother Samson Muzongo have salvation and his family? How to be in divine speed for life? Nehemiah 2:20, Isaiah 45:1–2
    How to Have a Double Servings (Joel 2:23)
    How to Have Financial Abundance (Joel 2:24)
    How to Have a Restoration in My Life, My Marriage and My Body (Joel 2:25) and Miracles (Joel 2:26) Sign and Wonder, How to Have a Decent Work – Isaiah 8:18
    How to Have God’s Divine Presence (Joel 2:27)
    How to have the BLESSING UPON my family (Joel 2:28) and how to deliver my family and friends (Joel 2:32)

  • Tracy Holcomb says on

    I covet your prayers. I am stepping down from my current pastorate (bi-vocational) after 4 + years. I am worn out from constant complaints and a group of “leaders” not including me and going around me. I am not quitting ministry because I believe that God has called and gifted me but where I am at has drained me of joy and purpose.