connect ministries
20th Celebration Featuring Jeff Foxworthy
November 12, 2026 | 6:30-9:00 PM
Join us at Watkinsville First Baptist Church to celebrate all that God has done through Connect Ministries since 2006!
connect ministries
20th Celebration Featuring Jeff Foxworthy
November 12, 2026 | 6:30-9:00 PM
Join us at Watkinsville First Baptist Church to celebrate all that God has done through Connect Ministries since 2006!
come celebrate with us!
The celebration includes a silent auction, dessert and light refreshments, a special celebration of Connect Ministries’ 20th anniversary, and a comedy performance from Jeff Foxworthy.
Jeff Foxworthy
Comedian Jeff Foxworthy will be joining us at Connect Ministries’ 20th Celebration for a LIVE, family-friendly comedy show!
One of America's most well-known comedians, Jeff has been part of the hugely popular Blue Collar Comedy Tour, hosted Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?, and hosted The American Bible Challenge. Jeff has entertained audiences across the country with his relatable stories about family, everyday life, and Southern culture.
Our Organization's History
Connect Ministries started with a simple burden: too many people were living right next to a church and never walking through the door. Every service we have built since traces back to that same conviction.
Cool Springs Tournament
In 2003, founders Ken Thomas & Gabe Norris, helped execute a 3-on-3 basketball tournament in Franklin, TN, to help Rolling Hills Community Church meet new people. This was the beginning of a growing burden to help churches meet new people.
Connect Ministries Established
In 2006, Ken Thomas and Gabe Norris resigned from their jobs and started Connect Ministries. Their first office...a Croc Shoe Warehouse!
Connect Race
Dreaming of other ways to help churches meet new people, Connect Race was born. In the next 8 years, over 100,000 runners would participate in the 5K, 10K, and half marathons hosted in partnership with the local church.
New Office Space
In 2024, the Connect Ministries team moved into its current office space: a 13,500 square-foot facility located at Wire Park in Watkinsville, GA. On May 3, it was dedicated as a space for years of ministry to come!
Connect Conference
In January 2025, Connect Conference was launched as a remarkable, three-day experience to equip church leaders to meet new people. One attendee said "I left Conference with more tools in my toolbox, but more than that, the Lord renewed my spirit. I can't wait to share with my volunteers!"
For 20 years, Connect Ministries has helped churches meet new people and reach their communities. Since 2006, we’ve had the opportunity to serve more than 2,000 churches across the country.
Our Ministry Impact
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Churches have partnered with Connect Ministries
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Campers have attended Connect Camps
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Camper Salvations