In this episode, Dave talks to Matt Evans of Rock Bridge Community Church. Matt explains how he returned to his hometown of Dalton, Georgia to found Rock Bridge after spending 5 years in the Navy.
Matt shares about his wife Beth’s journey with cancer which began shortly after adopting their two boys from Ethiopia and Dave asks how that journey has changed Matt’s perspective on leadership (8:00).
Matt discusses the distinct community context of Rock Bridge and the tremendous amount of diversity that exists in the small towns where they are located (15:20). Dave asks how raising children of color has impacted Matt and his ministry (16:50).
Matt talks about the escalation of poverty in their community during the Great Recession and how that lead Rock Bridge to be more missional in their purpose and to him being elected to the public school board (18:50). Dave asks Matt what advice he would give to other pastors and what he is hopeful for going forward.
Jim Shepard joins Dave with some closing thoughts.
To learn more about Matt and Rock Bridge Community Church check out their website here.
To learn more about the Senior Pastor call mentioned in this episode contact Linda Stanley at linda.stanley@generis.com
Find out more about Dave Travis at generis.com/dave-travis and subscribe to the newsletter at churchleaderinsider.substack.com
