Bluegrass District Conference

4:30 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Registration and Check-in

5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

District Conference Opening Dinner (Dining Room)

6:45 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

District Conference Opening Session (Jim Henry Auditorium-Mt. Laurel Building)

• Opening Remarks and Introductions from host, CEO Micheal Woods, and District President, Michael Gullatte
• Worship and Prayer
• Client Story from Knox Area Rescue Ministries 
• Keynote Speaker, Dr. Marcus Warner 

8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m.

Fellowship Around the Campfire (Mt. Laurel Fire Ring)

Come fellowship and enjoy refreshments with other rescue mission professionals. We’ll wrap up with small-group prayer arranged by departments of rescue mission service. Hosted by Western Carolina Rescue Mission

7:00 a.m.–7:15 a.m.

7:15 a.m.–8:15 a.m.

Breakfast

8:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m.

General Session (Jim Henry Auditorium-Mt. Laurel Building)

• Greeting from Vicki Murray, and Citygate Network Announcement 
• Worship and Prayer
• Keynote Speaker, Dr. Marcus Warner

9:45 a.m.–10:00 a.m.

Break

10:15 a.m.–11:30 a.m.

Seminar #1

• Work as Worship (Mt. Laurel C)
  How much does a person’s work matter to God? Have you ever considered that work is a form of worship? This session explores that very possibility for staff and clients alike. Each minute of life is a gift, but we must work to earn a living. How do we view work as a gospel-driven effort to serve Christ?
  
  Michael Gullatte, executive director, Cleveland County Rescue Mission

• Are You Planning for Vibrancy? (Auditorium)
  Operational ruts can cause organizational limps. Too many organizations are limping; from boards and budgets to fundraising frustrations, gaps in operational necessities can erode enthusiasm for vital community missions. You’ll be challenged to look critically toward ways of leading your mission into greater vibrancy and nonprofit sustainability.
  
  Shawn Saunders, vice president of client services/rescue mission team leader, Dickerson, Bakker, & Associates

• Start with Your Why: Developing a Wholistic Approach to Ministry  (Mt. Laurel D)
  Why does your organization exist, and how does that affect what you do and how you do it? The answers to these fundamental questions frame your approach to ministry and its outcomes. In this session, we'll dive into your why and how that affects your mission’s program, administration, and development.
  
  Tony Marciano, president/CEO, Charlotte Rescue Mission

11:45 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Bluegrass District group picture (Crystal Springs Amphitheater - camera snaps at 11:55 a.m. sharp!)

12:00 p.m.–1:00 p.m.

Lunch

1:00 p.m.–2:15 p.m.

Seminar #2

• Remaining Effective in Your Role  (Mt. Laurel C)
  How do some people remain active, encouraged, and effective without losing their momentum or sanity? Busy and effective people often produce much while losing themselves in the wake of their productivity. A breakneck pace not only leaves the team behind, but it can also suffocate one’s energy and creativity. Add in the compounded stress of deadlines, paperwork, and clients’ overwhelming stories, and you may have the perfect recipe for disaster. In this session, we will help you learn effective work-life-faith balance tools and practices that will help keep you and your team fresh, encouraged, and blessed.
  
  Tom Zobel, regional coordinator, Citygate Network

• Engaging People in Their Own Transformation, Part One  (Auditorium)
  The people who show up at our doors each day bring challenges that cannot be overcome without massive paradigm shifts—in their hearts, and in our methods. What if we bridged the separation between crisis services and programs to create an ecosystem where everyone is working intentionally toward a common goal of life transformation? Part one of this workshop, led by a mission leader who has made this leap and seen incredible outcomes, will share more about the whats and whys of the philosophy that inspires their work.
  
  Dan Rogers, president/CEO, Cherry Street Mission Ministries

• Growing an Outstanding Organizational Culture  (Mt. Laurel D)
  Are you a people-first organization?  Do outcomes drive your every effort?  What are the genetics of your staff?  How effective are you at communicating new initiatives and change with your employees?  Are you providing meaningful work opportunities that are evident to your employees?  Are you developing leaders?  Do your staff and volunteers believe the work of the mission is indeed missional?  These questions and many more will be presented and discussed in this exciting seminar.
  
  Arnold Kimmons, coach, Ministry Ventures

2:15 p.m.–2:30 p.m.

Break

2:45 p.m.–4:00 p.m.

Seminar #3

• The Top Five Diseases of Major Gift Fundraising (and their Cures)   (Mt. Laurel C)
  Are your fundraising outcomes anemic, or even just a little under the weather? There are five diseases that stand out as the costliest for major gift programs—and for the organizations seeking to raise big gifts. Some of these ills can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations and untold expense in relationship costs. In contrast, the cures to these diseases have raised millions of dollars and garnered trust between the donors and the organization. Bring your fundraising concerns, describe the symptoms, and let this workshop diagnose the conditions and offer some remedies.
  
  Tim Gunsolley, president/CEO, Elevation Growth Partners

• Engaging People in Their Own Transformation, Part Two  (Auditorium)
  In Part Two of this workshop, you'll hear about the policies, practices, and practical changes necessary to truly engage people in their own transformation. You'll hear the inspiring story of how one mission turned an old high school into a life-revitalization center with help from the entire community; the system they use to motivate people toward their recovery; the unique ecosystem the organization has created; and what outcomes they're seeing.
  
  Dan Rogers, president/CEO, Cherry Street Mission Ministries

• Community Partnerships  (Mt. Laurel D)
  Working alongside community partners enhances collective impact.  By increasing the offerings in a trusted and familiar space, clients are more willing to engage with expanded services.  You’ll learn about different partnership models and get access to community partnership resources that will help you make the most of the services offered at your mission.  We’ll talk about the pros and cons of partnerships, what makes a good partner, how to formalize an agreement, and more.
  
  Ryan Duerk, vice president, adult ministries, Miracle Hill Ministries

4:00 p.m.–5:30 p.m.

Free time (See activities map in registration information) 

5:30 p.m.–6:30 p.m.

Dinner (Dining Room – Sit with a different group of people this time!) 

6:45 p.m.–8:00 p.m.

Evening General Session (Jim Henry Auditorium-Mt. Laurel Building) 

• Worship
• Client Story from Knox Area Rescue Ministries
• Keynote Speaker, Dr. Marcus Warner 

8:15 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

S’mores Fellowship around the campfire (Mt. Laurel Fire Ring)

7:15 a.m.–8:15 a.m.

8:30 a.m.–9:00 a.m.

Devotion (Jim Henry Auditorium-Mt. Laurel Building) 

9:00 a.m.–9:45 a.m.

9:45 a.m.–11:00 a.m.

Closing General Session (Jim Henry Auditorium) 

• Worship and Devotional
• Panel Discussion So What??? 
  • Did you learn?
  • Do you want to know more about?
  • Will you begin implementing or adjusting?
  • Can't you wait to share with others?
• Keynote Speaker, Dr. Marcus Warner

11:00 a.m.

Box Lunch (pick-up outside Jim Henry Auditorium)