Strip Mine Jesus: Hope for the Rural Church, Small Towns, and Overlooked Places

By Charles E. Cotherman

Jesus Hasn't Given Up on Small, Exploited, and Overlooked Places
- Hope and encouragement for those in small towns and rural communities
- Practical advice for those serving in places other ministry books don't seem to speak to or acknowledge

Many young people entering ministry believe success requires them to leave their communities. After all, the fastest-growing congregations and highest-profile ministries are in big cities or their wealthy suburbs, aren't they? But Jesus didn't ignore the small, the exploited, or the overlooked--and neither should his followers.

In Strip Mine Jesus, pastor and executive director of the Center for Rural Ministry Charles E. Cotherman challenges our assumptions through stories that showcase the power and beauty of a faithful presence in seemingly "insignificant" places. Drawing on his lifetime of experience in rural communities and churches, Cotherman demonstrates the outsized impact we can have when we have the courage to stay, root where we're planted, and serve God with joy.

Whether your community is rural or in the rust belt, whether you're surrounded by endless corn or abandoned mining operations, Jesus still sees you and has a plan for your ministry. Discover how you can make a difference right where you are--starting now.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1540905136
• ISBN13: 9781540905130
• Release Date: August 2026
• Publisher: Baker Books
• Length: 272 Pages