In the early part of the 20th century, an oil boom came to West Texas. With it came new communities. Ministers came, too — some of them from the Assemblies of God. These pioneers of the faith traveled from town to town, spreading the good news of Jesus wherever the oil wells appeared and the people put down roots.

That’s how many of our rural churches began. But over time, the towns declined, and so did the congregations. Along roads where few people stop anymore, these former places of worship are now empty — and silent. Tragically, the residents of those small communities no longer have a Spirit-filled gospel presence.

This is our mission field. I am the senior pastor at Christian Life Assembly of God in Lubbock, Texas. We are a growing church in a vibrant city, but we have a burden to reach the forgotten rural areas in our backyard. Since my wife, Sue, and I started together in ministry in 1972, more than 40 rural churches have closed. God is calling us to redig the old wells of revival so the oil of the Holy Spirit can once again flow in these places.

“We have a burden to reach the forgotten rural areas in our backyard.”                              — John Murdoch

Since 2009, Christian Life has planted six rural churches, and they are all thriving. The smallest has an average weekly attendance of 60, and the largest runs 175. In these six churches, there were more than 100 water baptisms last year. The Word of God is transforming lives week after week as people come to Christ and receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

The demographics of West Texas have changed over the years, but the life-changing message of salvation is the same.

In the Dumas and Cactus areas, we are reaching immigrants and refugees through Lifepoint International Center Church. People from more than 20 nations reside in these small towns, and they are coming to know Jesus. We work with government agencies to offer English language classes for this diverse population. It is opening doors for us to share the love of Christ. We’re in the process of planting a Congolese church, and we are believing God to start other churches that will reach every language group in that area.

Two principles propel us in our church planting efforts: Every town counts, and every person counts. McLean, Texas, has just 800 residents. But we have a church there with an average weekly attendance of 130.

The Book of Revelation talks about God storing up the prayers of the saints. I believe He continues to answer the prayers that went up for these towns decades ago, and we’re reaping the harvest. The soil is still fertile, and God is still working.

You see, every community, every family and every soul matters to God. And what matters to Him must matter to His people.