Connect Conference 2025

Closing the Gap Between Us and Christ

Featuring:

Shane and Shane

Shane & Shane is the combination of solo artists Shane Barnard and Shane Everett. After meeting in college, Shane & Shane began writing songs and touring the country leading worship. Their desire has always been to glorify the Lord instead of themselves and they do so by writing music that is biblically based, lyrically rich, and sonically engaging. Check out their discography!

Jimmy Needham

A critically acclaimed singer-songwriter, speaker, and co-host of the Clearly podcast with his wife Kelly. He serves as the teaching and worship pastor at Stonegate Church in South Dallas, where he is completing his masters degree at Dallas Theological Seminary.

Jeff & Charlene Thompson

Jeff & Charlene have been married for 22 years and have been blessed with 6 children. Jeff is the teaching pastor at Gospel City Church in Vancouver, Canada and the author of "Hail the King: A Verse-by-Verse Journey Through the Book of Revelation".

Sam Rainer

Dr. Sam Rainer serves as president of Church Answers and as the lead pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church in Bradenton, FL. He writes, teaches, speaks, and consults on a variety of church health issues. Sam cohosts the popular podcasts, Rainer on Leadership and Est.Church.

Mark Mittelberg

Mark Mittelberg is a best-selling author, international speaker, and leading strategist in evangelism and apologetics. His published materials include the new Contagious Faith book and training course, and The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (With Answers).

Erik & Donna Thoennes

Erik Thoennes is professor and chair of theology at Talbot School of Theology/Biola University, pastor of Grace Evangelical Free Church in La Mirada, California, and author of Godly Jealousy: A Theology of Intolerant Love.

Mark Beuving

Mark has been serving in ministry for over 20 years. He spent several years as a worship leader and a college pastor, and he now serves as the Lead Pastor at Creekside Church in Rocklin, CA.

Derick Zeulner

Derick Zeulner is the associate pastor overseeing communications and discipleship at South Shores Church in Dana Point, CA. A graduate of Biola University, Derick earned his M.A. in Theology at Talbot and is currently working on his Doctor of Ministry degree.

Danny Kugelberg

Danny Kugelberg is the Pastor of Worship and Creative Arts at Church at the Gates in Missoula, Montana. He graduated from Biola University and earned a Masters of Divinity at Multnomah Biblical Seminary.

Jared Higgins

He is the Lead Pastor at The Church at Green Hills in La Habra, CA which is a diverse, trilingual body of believers. His heart is to equip people with God's Word in order to live out God's mission in their daily lives.

Julian Marcel & Ross Thorsen

Julian Marcel serves as the Pastor of Children and Junior High at Hessel Church in Sonoma County. He earned a degree from Biola University in Bible, Theology, and Apologetics.

Ross Thorsen works with Hessel Church as a pastoral intern, specializing in the Young Adults group and leading short-term missions trips. He teaches in every area of theology, both in preaching and academic lectures. He is passionate about the work of missions in the world and seeing the kingdom of God expand across the globe