How do churches create a culture where every person feels seen, known, and welcomed, especially those who walk in feeling like they don’t belong?

In this powerful episode, Ken Thomas, President of Connect Ministries, sits down with Jeff Simmons, Founder and Lead Pastor of Rolling Hills Community Church, for a deep and practical conversation on building life-giving relationships in the local church. With decades of friendship and leadership experience, Ken and Jeff unpack why intentional hospitality matters more than ever, how to connect “people to like people,” and the simple shifts that help your church become a place where first-time guests quickly become fully engaged disciples.

They explore strategies for fostering a true sense of belonging, developing relational pathways that actually work, and training your teams to welcome people with purpose. Whether you're leading a growing church, revitalizing a congregation, or building community in your ministry, you’ll walk away with actionable insights to strengthen connection and increase engagement.

If you’re a senior pastor, next-gen leader, or ministry director who wants to reach more people, love people better, and build relationships that change lives, this episode will equip and encourage you.

Interested in attending the Connect Conference and learning more from Jeff Simmons and others? Visit ⁠⁠connect-ministries.com/connect-conference⁠⁠ to learn more and register today!!

What if the most powerful growth strategy in your church is simply helping people encounter Jesus and inviting them to hold the door open for others?

In this episode, Gabe Norris, Co-Founder of Connect Ministries, sits down with Dave Bagwell, Central Ministries Pastor at Passion Church, for a compelling conversation on building a life-giving volunteer culture, which Passion calls their “doorholders.” They unpack how churches can create welcoming, belonging-focused experiences that inspire people to serve. A place where people serve not out of obligation, but because they’ve personally encountered Jesus.

Together, they explore how engaging volunteers starts with spiritual formation, why people actually serve, and how intentional environments help move people from attending to belonging. You’ll hear practical insights on designing ministry experiences that reflect the heart of Christ and cultivate life-giving relationships throughout your church.

If you’re a senior pastor, next-gen leader, or ministry director looking to strengthen volunteer engagement, build culture, and help people experience Jesus in meaningful ways, this episode will equip and encourage you.

Interested in attending the Connect Conference and learning more from Dave Bagwell and others? Visit ⁠connect-ministries.com/connect-conference⁠ to learn more and register today!!

How can churches grow in a rapidly changing culture? How can innovation and AI actually increase real, in-person ministry impact?

In this episode, Nate Thomas of Connect Ministries sits down with leaders from The Elements Group, a nationally respected church consulting and marketing agency known for helping ministries clarify vision, grow attendance, and strengthen community engagement. Together, they unpack why innovation is essential for long-term church growth, how the landscape of ministry is shifting in the digital era, and some practical ways AI can empower your team to create more space for meaningful, face-to-face relationships.

This conversation dives into the future of church communications, the tools churches can’t afford to ignore, and the mindset shifts leaders must make to stay effective in reaching their communities. Whether you're a senior pastor, next-gen leader, or communications director, you'll walk away with new ideas for improving your team’s workflow and building a church that connects with new people.

If you want your church to grow, innovate, and lead well in this new ministry era, don’t miss this episode!

Interested in attending the Connect Conference and learning more from Mandy Arioto and others? Visit connect-ministries.com/connect-conference to learn more and register today!!

What if the future of the church is smaller? More personal?

In this episode, Dr. Chris Brooks, Lead Pastor of Local Church (part of the Grace Family of Churches), sits down with Gabe Norris, Co-Founder of Connect Ministries, for a story-filled conversation packed with wisdom, laughter, and hard-earned lessons from ministry life.

These seminary classmates unpack micro-churches, the ministry of people building relationships with people, and the importance of pastoral health in a season when many leaders are running on empty.

If you’re a senior pastor, outreach leader, or discipleship pastor, this episode will challenge you to rethink growth, embrace simplicity, and lead from a place of health.

Interested in attending the Connect Conference and learning more from Mandy Arioto and others? Visit connect-ministries.com/connect-conference to learn more and register today!!

How can the church truly connect with the next generation of families? The answer is… Mom.

In this episode, Mandy Arioto, President and CEO of The Mom Co. (formerly MOPS International), and one of the most influential voices helping moms find faith and community, joins Gabe Norris, Co-Founder of Connect Ministries, for a powerful conversation about reaching young families and building authentic community for moms in today’s culture.

Together, they unpack how churches can better engage moms and meet their needs, how to strategically involve them in the life of the church, and what it looks like to create safe spaces for them to build life-giving relationships and have honest conversations.

If you’re a pastor, next-gen leader, or family ministry director, this episode will inspire you to better lead with intentionality, strategy, and hope for the future of the church.

Interested in attending the Connect Conference and learning more from Mandy Arioto and others? Visit connect-ministries.com/connect-conference to learn more and register today!!

"Our first line in ministry is caring for the volunteers who care for the people of our church."

In this episode, Danny Franks, Guest Services Pastor at The Summit Church and author of People Are the Mission, joins Gabe Norris, Co-Founder of Connect Ministries, for an honest and practical conversation on building thriving volunteer teams and healthy leadership in ministry.

Together, they unpack the keys to creating raving fan volunteers, how to avoid the most common mistakes churches make in recruiting volunteers, and why leader health is the foundation of a healthy team.

Whether you’re a senior pastor, next-gen leader, or ministry director, this episode will equip you to recruit better, lead stronger, and create a volunteer culture people love to be part of.

Interested in attending the Connect Conference and learning more from Danny Franks and others? Visit connect-ministries.com/connect-conference to learn more and register today!!

What’s really happening in the church today? How does that impact the ministry in your community?

In this episode, David Kinnaman, President of Barna Group and one of the most trusted voices on faith and culture, sits down with Gabe Norris, Co-Founder of Connect Ministries, to unpack the state of the church and how pastors can meet new people in today’s shifting landscape.

Together, they talk honestly about the signs of hope emerging across congregations, the skinned knees leaders are experiencing in ministry, and what it looks like to sit with Jesus on the things that matter most.

If you’re a senior pastor, next-gen pastor, outreach leader, or discipleship pastor, this conversation will give you both perspective and practical encouragement to lead with clarity and meet new people in a rapidly changing world.

Tune in to discover where the church in America is headed and how your ministry can join God in what He’s already doing.

Interested in attending the Connect Conference and learning more from David Kinnaman and others? Visit connect-ministries.com/connect-conference to learn more and register today!!

Interested in learning more about becoming a church that is effective at meeting new people? Visit connect-ministries.com/takeaways for more FREE resources today!!

Want to explore how Connect Ministries can help your church meet new people? Visit connect-ministries.com!!

Learn more about Barna Group here!

Learn more about Impact 360 here!

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is partnering with Connect Ministries to provide Connect FCA Camps, a remarkable sports camp experience that engages, equips and empowers athletes and coaches.

Connect Camps, a branch of Connect Ministries, has partnered with churches nationwide to host hundreds of remarkable day camps since 2006. Their expertise in providing remarkable day camp experiences is combined with FCA’s decades of expertise in reaching athletes to create a dynamic sports day camp that provides beginner-to-intermediate-level training for young athletes aged 9–12.
Over 78% of Americans aged six and older actively engage in some form of sport. However, only 15% of churches offer sports programs for children, and fewer than 5% have full-time staff dedicated to sports ministry. Connect FCA Camps is an opportunity for churches to use sports as a ministry tool to reverse declining church attendance across generations in America.

Recorded live at Connect Conference 2025, Ken Thomas sits down with Jason Britt, Lead Pastor of Bethlehem Church, named one of Outreach Magazine's "Top 100 Fastest-Growing Churches" in America every year since 2016.

Hear Jason's insight on what it looks like to practically and effectively be the LOCAL church and how that's played a key role in Bethlehem's growth—and how your church could adopt some of the same ways of thinking.

As a pastor, church leader, or volunteer, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and equip you to be the local church and meet new people more effectively.

Interested in learning more about becoming a church that is effective at meeting new people, visit connect-ministries.com/takeaways for more free resources today!!

Interested in attending the Connect Conference, visit connect-ministries.com/connect-conference to learn more and register today!!

Recorded live at Connect Conference 2025, this episode features a powerful conversation between Ken Thomas, president of Connect Ministries, and Carey Nieuwhof, best-selling leadership author, speaker, and founding pastor of Connexus Church.

Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or volunteer passionate about helping make your church a place new people feel like they are welcome and can belong, this is a conversation you don't want to miss!

Interested in learning more about this topic and becoming a church that is effective at meeting new people, visit connect-ministries.com/takeaways for more free resources today!

Interested in attending the Connect Conference, visit connect-ministries.com/connect-conference to learn more and register today!