WE HELP CHURCHES MEET NEW PEOPLE
Connect Conference is a remarkable three-day experience designed to equip anyone who wants to become more effective in helping their church meet new people.
January 26-28, 2026
Nashville, TN
Why come to Connect Conference?
Become the type of church who meets new people through…
Executing a Clear Plan
Creating Remarkable Experiences
Building Life Giving Relationships
Enjoying Deep Friendship with God
Introducing your 2026 Connect Conference Speakers!
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David Kinnaman
CEO of Barna
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Mandy Arioto
President and CEO of The MomCo
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Danny Franks
Pastor of Guest Services and Events at the Summit Church
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Dr. Robert Smith
Distinguished Professor of Divinity at Beeson Divinity School
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Dave Bagwell
Central Ministries Pastor at Passion City Church in Atlanta, GA
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Chris Brooks
Founder of Shepherds Coaching and Pastor to Pastors at Local Church
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Dr. Jonathan Morrow
Director of Cultural Engagement and Student Discipleship for Impact 360 Institute
Connect Conference Pricing
$299
*Price increases on December 31, 2025!
Conference Ticket
Fall Pricing
$319
*Price from January 1 - January 26, 2026
2026 connect CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
MONDAY, JANUARY 26
3:20 Check In
4:30 Session 1
6:00 Dinner
7:20 Worship
TUESDAY, JANUARY 27
8:00 Session 2
9:20 Workshop 1
10:30 Session 3
12:00 Lunch
1:15 Workshop 2
2:25 Session 4
4:15 Workshop 3
5:15 Surprise Social!
8:00 Session 5
8:45 Digital Workshop 1
9:40 Digital Workshop 2
10:45 Worship
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28
WorKShOPS
Summary: Learn practical strategies to remove the barriers Gen Z and Gen Alpha face in faith formation and discover how to mobilize them toward a life of mission.
Speaker: Sarah Farley-Beall is the NextGen Strategist & Camps Specialist at the IMB, equipping churches to reach, disciple, and mobilize Gen Z and Gen Alpha for global mission.
Summary: Discover a proven pathway to move guests from attending once to fully engaging in your church’s community and mission.
Speaker: Harvey Ellis serves at Broadmoor Baptist Church and is passionate about helping churches develop systems and relationships that guide people from first-time visit to meaningful membership.
Summary: Get practical tools to build trust, communicate effectively, and create meaningful connections that help teenagers grow spiritually and emotionally.
Speaker: Ross Harvey is the Middle School Pastor at New Vision Church, where he leads students and equips leaders to disciple teens with authenticity, empathy, and gospel-centered purpose.
Summary: Discover how to build a volunteer culture driven by purpose, gratitude, and ownership so your teams thrive and stay engaged.
Speaker: Dave Bagwell serves at Passion City Church, leading volunteer culture and systems that inspire excellence, joy, and servant leadership.
Summary: Learn relational and systems-based strategies to guide people from visiting your church to belonging, serving, and leading.
Speaker: Harvey Ellis from Broadmoor Baptist Church helps churches develop intentional pathways that lead newcomers into deep community and discipleship.
Summary: Uncover habits and mindsets that help church staff thrive spiritually and emotionally while fueling a culture of encouragement and discipleship.
Speaker: Jeff Simmons is the Lead Pastor at Rolling Hills Community Church and a leadership mentor who champions healthy, joy-filled ministry leadership.
Summary: Explore how to shape a church culture people love to return to—full of vision, joy, and a clear sense of belonging.
Speaker: Nate Thomas is the Lead Marketing Coordinator at Connect Ministries, helping churches cultivate environments that attract, engage, and retain people through intentional culture and communication strategy.
Summary: Gain insight into how to reach and disciple moms in your community and build a ministry that supports, empowers, and connects families.
Speaker: Mandy Arioto is the President and CEO of MomCo (formerly MOPS International) and a leading voice on motherhood, faith, and community-building.
Summary: Learn the unique needs of Gen Alpha and how churches can support parents and equip this next generation for faith and resilience.
Speaker: Sarah Farley-Beall is the NextGen Strategist & Camps Specialist at the IMB, equipping churches to reach, disciple, and mobilize Gen Z and Gen Alpha for global mission.
Digital WorKShOPS
Most churches don't need more to do—they need a plan. Learn how to build a simple, repeatable marketing strategy that connects with families online and in person, every season of the year.
Don’t have a designer? No problem. We’ll walk through beginner tools, basic design principles, and shortcuts to help your team create graphics that look great and get your message across.
Does your church have a social media page that is not seeing results? This session will give you a step-by-step plan to get started on social media, reach people consistently, and post content that actually helps connect your church with your community.
Already doing the basics? This workshop will fill your toolbox with new ideas and show you how to refine your messaging, create stronger calls to action, and streamline your platforms so they work together to reach new families.
Many churches post and pray. But a real strategy turns views into visits. In this session, you’ll learn how to use digital ads, targeted content, and lead capture tools to reach new families consistently, without burning out your team.
Your website is often the front door to your church. What does it say to a first-time visitor? What is your plan for families after they visit your website? In this practical session, we’ll walk through how to turn your church website into a welcoming, effective tool for reaching new families. Learn what today’s families are looking for online, what pages actually matter, and how to build a site that communicates trust, clarity, and purpose.
You don’t need to be a marketing expert to lead a church that reaches people effectively; you just need the right strategy. In this session, designed specifically for senior and executive pastors, we’ll unpack how to align your church’s marketing approach with your overall mission. You’ll learn how to clarify your message, evaluate your team’s efforts, and make smart decisions that help your church reach more families, without adding more to your plate. Whether you're launching a new ministry or trying to break through a growth barrier, this workshop will equip you with the questions to ask and the playbook to move forward.
What happens when someone searches for a church in your area? In this workshop, you’ll learn how to take control of your church’s visibility with two powerful tools: Google Business Profile and the Google Grant. We’ll show you how to show up in local search results, run free ads through the $10,000/month Google Grant, and make it easier for families to discover and engage with your church online. Whether you're new to these platforms or looking to improve your results, this session will give you a step-by-step game plan to boost your church’s presence on Google, where most first impressions begin.
AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a game-changer. In this session, you’ll discover how artificial intelligence can help you streamline content creation, boost engagement, and reach new people more effectively. We’ll cover real-life use cases for tools, and show you how to use AI ethically and efficiently within your church’s unique voice. Whether you lead communications or wear multiple hats, this workshop will give you the clarity and confidence to put AI to work for your ministry.
Join the Gen Z Trail, a dynamic three-part workshop series led by Dr. Jonathan Morrow—Director of Cultural Engagement and Student Discipleship at Impact 360 Institute—along with Benji Baker and Shea Foster, trusted voices in next-gen ministry. Designed to equip churches with a clear, actionable blueprint for discipling Gen Z with confidence, this engaging track features research-backed insight, practical tools, and guided group discussions. Aligned with Connect Ministries’ mission to reach new people, you’ll leave with a tailored strategy to help students build a lasting faith in today’s digital, distracted culture.
WorkSHop Trails
Led by Danny Franks—Pastor of Guest Services and Events at The Summit Church, author of People Are the Mission, and a national voice in volunteer engagement—this powerful three-workshop series equips churches to recruit, train, and empower volunteers. This track includes: Creating an Asking Culture, Beyond Bore-ientation, and Developing your Leadership Pipeline.
This cohesive three-workshop series, led by Ken Thomas and Gabe Norris—co-founders of Connect Ministries and national leaders in church outreach and community engagement—empowers churches to create meaningful connections. Aligning with Connect Ministries’ mission, this track features group discussions, practical steps, and interactive elements, delivering actionable insights and a clear, executable game plan tailored to your context.
Trail Ticket
$49
* in addition to Conference Ticket
Sponsor the Connect Conference
Sponsor the Connect Conference
BE A PART OF HELPING CHURCHES MEET NEW PEOPLE AND TOGETHER WE WILL REVERSE THE STAT THAT CHURCH ATTENDANCE IS ON THE DECLINE
Hotel Information
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Sheraton Nashville- Brentwood
760 Old Hickory Blvd. Brentwood, TN 37027 | 615-964-5500 | Say you are with Connect Conference to get the special rate
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Springhill Suites by Marriott Franklin Cool Springs
5011 Aspen Grove Dr. Franklin, TN 37067 | 615-778-4688 | $179/night
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Springhill Suites by marriott nashville brentwood
7109 Town Center Way Brentwood, TN 37027 | 615-964-5500 | $133/night
FAQs
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The Connect Conference is for anyone who wants to become more effective in helping their church meet new people.
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Certainly! We'll be releasing workshops Mid October. Be sure to check back then for the comprehensive list of offerings we'll have available.
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The conference takes place at Brentwood Baptist Church, located at 7777 Concord Rd, Brentwood, TN 37027
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You can purchase a ticket for the Connect Conference on our official website. Simply click here and follow the prompts to secure your spot at the event. If you have any trouble or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to our support team at [email protected]. We look forward to having you join us!
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Tickets are sent as a PDF attachment with order confirmation emails by default. Tickets are also visible in the Eventbrite app as soon as an order is completed.