Soil & Soul: Ministry and Faith in Rural Illinois
Maybe you've never heard of Hidalgo, Illinois. You probably know a little town just like it.
Soil & Soul: Ministry and Faith in Rural Illinois is a 78-page collection of reflections by Ray Warfel Jr.
Why Read This Book
Small rural congregations are few in number but often massive in faith, and the men who preach for them rarely get their stories told. Their work is quiet, unhurried, and easy to overlook.
Warfel grew up in an old farmhouse in Jasper County, moved away as a boy, and came back as a man to preach. These pages gather bulletin articles he wrote for a small group of disciples: country happenings, lessons from his preacher father, and Scriptures he meditated on while drinking coffee on the front porch. They're a reminder that God works powerfully in every corner of the world, including the quiet fields of Illinois.
What's Inside
- Ministry in small, rural churches
- The legacy of faith passed through generations
- Personal stories of growth, humility, and service
- Community, love, and God's work in the simple moments of life
Format & Features
A 78-page, perfect-bound paperback. It's also available as a PDF eBook for individual use.
Who It's For
Preachers and members of small congregations, anyone who grew up in the country, and readers who enjoy short devotional reflections.
Common Questions
Is it a devotional?
It reads like one. The book is a collection of short articles you can read one at a time.
About the Author
Ray Warfel Jr. preaches in rural Illinois, where he is raising his children near the farming community he loved as a boy. His father was also a preacher.
Product Details
- Author: Ray Warfel Jr.
- Publisher: Spiritbuilding Publishers
- Pages: 78
- Format: Perfect-bound paperback; PDF eBook (individual use)
- ISBN: 9781955285988
- View PDF Sample