The Connect Ministries Podcast

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 churc...

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 “doorho...

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,...

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...

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...

"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,...

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 h...

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...

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 som...

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, t...

Recorded live at Connect Conference 2025, Ken Thomas sits down with Jeff Simmons, Senior Pastor and Founder of Rolling Hills Community Church in Nashville, TN. They share stories and practical insight about what it's like to grow a church from a 15-person church plant to one of the largest in Nashville. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or volunteer at a church plant or a large church, this...

In this episode, Ken Thomas and Gabe Norris dive into the importance of Enjoying Deep Friendship with God for ministry. They discuss the tension of being a ministry leader that doesn't just work FOR the Lord but works WITH what the Lord is doing in their communities. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or volunteer, this conversation will challenge and encourage you in your walk with t...

In this episode, Ken Thomas and Gabe Norris dive into what it means to Create Remarkable Experiences and why remarkable experiences are an important part of being a church that effectively meets new people. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or volunteer, this conversation will equip you with practical strategies to create remarkable experiences, on large and small scales, that will leave...

In this episode, Ken Thomas and Gabe Norris dive into why Building Life-Giving Relationships is an essential ingredient for churches that are effective in meeting new people and assimilating them into the life of their local church. Whether you're a pastor, church leader, or volunteer, this conversation will help you identify what a culture of life-giving relationships looks like in a congrega...

In this episode, Ken Thomas and Gabe Norris, founders of Connect Ministries, dive into one of the key ingredients of churches that are most effective at meeting new people and assimilating them into the life of the their church... Executing a Clear Plan. For more resources to help your church meet new people, visit connect-ministries.com .

Ken Thomas and Gabe Norris started Connect Ministries in 2006 out of the burden of helping churches get outside their walls to meet new people. Listen to this episode to hear the origin story of Connect Ministries.