STS Vermont
On Thursday, May 21st, 2026, Small Town Summits will host a Summit at Cornerstone Church in Bethel, VT. Pastors and lay leaders from small places across Vermont will marvel together at the sin-defeating cross and the death-conquering resurrection of Christ in order to consider what it looks like for ministry to be rooted in Christ’s cross and resurrection.
Christ Our Savior
May 21st 2026
The good news of the gospel is not simply that Christ’s redeeming work is gloriously accomplished and Christ’s person is gloriously awesome. It’s that his whole person and his entire work are ours through faith. The greatest benefit of what he’s done is that we can bask in who he is – eternally. He is ours forevermore. Throughout 2026, Small Town Summits will gather small-place New England churches, pastors, and laypeople to exult in the person and work of our Lord Jesus Christ.
In our Spring Summits, we’ll focus on 1 Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Paul summarizes the saving gospel by saying ‘Christ died for our sins’ and ‘he was raised on the third day.’ At the beginning of the letter, he says ‘I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified’ (2:2). At the end of the letter, he devotes an entire chapter to Christ’s resurrection, concluding, ‘Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain’ (15:58). 1 Corinthians shows that the cross and resurrection are the focus and fuel of gospel ministry. They give us something glorious to proclaim and the indomitable resolve to proclaim it.
8.30 – 9am - Arrival and registration
9 – 10am - Welcome, Singing, STS Vision, Introductions
10 – 10:45am - Session #1: The Cross of Christ as the Focus of Gospel Ministry and group discussion
10:45 – 11am - Coffee break
11am – Noon - Session #2: The resurrection of Christ as the Fuel of Gospel Ministry and group discussion
Noon – 1pm - Lunch
1 – 2pm - Breakout sessions
2 – 2.15pm - Break
2.15 – 3pm - Session #3: Panel Discussion and Q&A: How Christ’s Work Helps Us Endure
3 – 3.30pm - Prayer
In our first two main sessions, Josh Moore and David Pinckney will speak to the focus and the fuel of gospel ministry in the cross and resurrection of Christ. Our last main session will be a panel giving Summit participants opportunity to ask specific questions for discussion among the panelists and fellow Summit attendees.
Josh is the pastor at the Red Door Church of South Royalton in South Royalton, VT. Josh recieved his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte campus) and received his Doctor of Ministry from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his wife have four children ages 13, 11, 10 and 9. In their free time they take walks, visit coffee shops, read good books, watch movies and enjoy the occasional hike.
David Pinckney is the Mission Pastor at River of Grace Church in Concord, NH and serves as the North Atlantic Regional Director for Acts 29 Church Planting Network. He is a graduate of Bethel Seminary and a member of the TGC New England Steering Committee. David and his wife Sharon have raised four sons and one daughter. He enjoys traveling, history, people and bacon.
Mitch Kimbrell
If the hearts of the people to whom we preach would burn within them with love for Christ (Luke 24:32), if their eyes would behold the One Whom their soul loves (Song of Solomon 3:4), we must preach Christ from the whole of the Scriptures. But how do you preach Christ from the whole Bible without resorting to text abuse or disregarding authorial intent? Our breakout at STS Vermont will seek to answer those questions.
After earning an MDiv and a PhD from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary (MABTS), Mitch and his family moved to Vermont in 2017 to be part of the NETS Internship Program. While in seminary, he served as both an associate pastor and interim senior pastor, and as an adjunct professor of Greek, New Testament, and Old Testament at MABTS. Mitch served as CMC's youth and college pastor and as associate pastor before becoming senior pastor in September 2021. He enjoys reading (mostly theology and presidential history) and cheering for the Georgia Bulldogs and the Atlanta Braves. Mitch and his wife, Sara, have five young children.
Marty Bascom
In a ministry culture that often celebrates rapid growth and visible success, many rural pastors are called to a quieter faithfulness—serving the same small community year after year. This breakout will encourage pastors to persevere in long-term ministry by grounding their endurance not in results, but in Christ, the true foundation and sustaining power of gospel work. Participants will explore both the unique challenges and deep joys of shepherding one place for a lifetime. Attendees will leave strengthened to labor with hope, trusting that God is at work even where fruit seems slow and hidden.
Marty has pastored the East Randolph Baptist Church since 2002 and has enjoyed seeing the church growing and understanding the truth and application of the gospel. Marty has four kids and was married to Julie in 1998. He grew up in New England and after a few years in Kentucky came back to serve in Vermont. Marty enjoys serving his small town and the way of life in rural Vermont.
Heather Peets
As pastors and leaders in small-town churches, we can sometimes feel as though we’re functioning from a position of scarcity. Perhaps we may find ourselves operating with a limited budget, very few resources, and a lack of shared leadership. In situations like these we can be tempted towards discouragement, feeling that without these things we are destined to fail. And yet the Scriptures present a far different perspective. With Christ and the power and potential of His Gospel, we’re told that we’re in possession of God’s riches. That we’re abundantly supplied with the most critical resources at our disposal. If this is true, how might the Gospel be the fish and loaves that we most need in order to see our churches flourish?
Heather Peets is the principal of Mid Vermont Christian School. A graduate of Pensacola Christian College and Maranatha Baptist University, she has served in Christian-educational ministry at the elementary, secondary, and college levels for over fifteen years. Additionally, she spent six years homeschooling her own children. Heather is married to Nathan, pastor of Thetford Baptist Church, and has five children.
Meet the Team
Josh is the pastor at the Red Door Church of South Royalton in South Royalton, VT. Josh recieved his Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary (Charlotte campus) and is currently studying for a Doctor of Ministry at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He and his wife have four children ages 13, 11, 10 and 9. In their free time they take walks, visit coffee shops, read good books, watch movies and enjoy the occasional hike.
Marty has pastored the East Randolph Baptist Church since 2002 and has enjoyed seeing the church growing and understanding the truth and application of the gospel. Marty has four kids and was married to Julie in 1998. He grew up in New England and after a few years in Kentucky came back to serve in Vermont. Marty enjoys serving his small town and the way of life in rural Vermont.
Michael is an elder of Redeemer Church in St. Albans, VT. Before moving to Vermont two and a half years ago, he and his wife, Kayla, spent time in various ministry roles in Tennessee, Germany, and Ireland. Michael and his wife have two wonderful children; Rowan and Arna.
