2025 Connections Conference Itinerary

Saturday – August 23

  • 3:00 - 6:00 p.m. - Conference Check-in @ Centennial Plaza Clubhouse

  • Dinner on your own at onsite restaurants or:

    Patio 44, 1244 24th Avenue, Gulfport, MS 39501
    Shaggy’s

Sunday – August 24

  • Breakfast on your own at onsite restaurants or:
    Waffle House

  • 10:00 a.m. — Load bus for church

  • 10:30 a.m. — Worship Service @ First Baptist Church, Gulfport, 12190 MS 605, Gulfport, MS 39503

  • Lunch at First Baptist Church, Gulfport

    Free time at Centennial Plaza (Lazy River, Pool, Beach, Rest)

  • 4:30 p.m. — Registration Table Open, Centennial Plaza Chapel

Connections Conference Kick-Off

  • 5:00 p.m. — Welcome, Centennial Plaza Chapel

    Sean Milner, BCV Executive Director
    Dana Philips, Connections President

    Welcome Heavy Hors D’oeuvres

    Ministry Highlights

    “Game Show” Games

  • 7:00 p.m. — Ice Cream Sundae Bar 

  • 8:30 p.m. — Evening Festivities Conclude    

Monday – August 25

  • 8:00 a.m. — Breakfast at Centennial Plaza Chapel

  • 8:30 a.m. — Devotional, Neil Tullos, FBC Wiggins

  • 9:00 a.m. — Communications/Development Joint Session

    “Keeping Your Voice in the Age of AI” with Nathan Hill from Avid AI

  • 10:00 a.m. — Break

  • 10:15 a.m. — Ministry Highlights (Can show video)

  • 10:30 a.m. — Connections Breakout Sessions

    Communications - Crisis Communications in the Digital World with Gerard Braud (Jared Bro), Braud Communications
    Development - Donor Acquisition, Retention, Key Multi-Year Strategies with Nathan Hill from Avid AI

    11:45 a.m. — Break

  • 12:00 p.m. — Lunch (Centennial Plaza Chapel)

  • 12:45 p.m. — Ministry Highlights (Can show video)

  • 1:00 p.m. — Roundtable Discussions (Centennial Plaza Chapel)

    Two Development Tables
    1. Nathan Hill-Donor Acquisition/Retention Discussion
    2.

    Two Communication Tables
    1. Gerard Braud-Crisis Com Discussion
    2.

  • 1:45 p.m. —  Roundtable Discussions (Centennial Plaza Chapel)
    Two Development Tables
    1.
    2.

    Two Communication Tables
    1. Gerard Braud-Situation Hub Discussion
    2. Nathan Hill-Keeping Your Voice in the Age of AI discussion

  • 2:30 p.m. — Break

  • 3:00 p.m. — Roundtable Discussions

    Two Development Tables
    1.
    2.

    Two Communication Tables
    1. Ashley Wolff-Rebranding
    2.

  • 3:45 p.m. — Roundtable Discussions

    Two Development Tables
    1.
    2.

    Two Communication Tables
    1.
    2.

  • 4:30 p.m. —Break - Prepare to leave for Aquarium

  • 5:45 p.m. — Load up for Aquarium Tours and Dinner, 2100 E Beach Blvd, Gulfport, MS 39501

  • 6:00 p.m. — Aquarium Tours (Must have name tags)

  • 7:00 p.m. — Dinner/Entertainment at the Aquarium

    Ministry Highlights (Can show video)

  • 8:30 p.m. — Return to Centennial Plaza

Tuesday – August 26

  • 8:30 a.m. — Breakfast (Centennial Plaza Chapel)

  • 9:15 a.m. — Devotional, Josh Cougle, Pastor FBC, Lyman

  • 9:30 a.m. — Ministry Highlights (Can show video)

  • 9:45 a.m. — Connections Conference Business Meeting

    Dana Philips, Connections President

  • 10:15 a.m. — Wrap Up and Welcome to New Mexico—Make plans for the 2026 Connections Conference

  • 10:30 a.m. — Adjourn

Host: The Baptist Children’s Village

114 Marketridge Drive

Ridgeland, MS 39157

601.952.2422

baptistchildrensvillage.com