Bluegrass District Conference

Sept 18 - 20, 2024
Norfolk, Virginia

REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED

Theme: Uncharted Territory

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

The world in front of us is nothing like the world behind us. As we move into the future, it is with the realization that change, and the pace of change have increased drastically. How do we react? How do we respond? It is in uncharted territory where our trust is challenged, our faith is deepened, and we see God respond in ways that we could not conceive or imagine.


Keynote Speakers

Tod Bolsinger  

Tod Bolsinger
Tod Bolsinger, MDiv, PhD, is the founder and principal at AE Sloan Leadership, the executive director of the DePree Center Church Leadership Institute, and associate professor of leadership formation at Fuller Seminary. He is the author of the Outreach Magazine Resource of the Year in pastoral leadership, Canoeing the Mountains, and the Christian Book Award Finalist, Tempered Resilience.

Tom De Vries  

Tom De Vries
Tom is Citygate Network's president and CEO. He has previously served as a church multiplication movement leader and pastor, as well as the general secretary of the Reformed Church in America. Most recently, Tom filled the president/CEO role at the Global Leadership Network (GLN), and international ministry producing training and equipping through the Global Leadership Summit. He has a track record of innovation, strategic planning, and leading high-performance teams for increasing ministry impact.

Deluge Worship  

Deluge Worship
Deluge Worship is a collective of friends who began their journey by leading worship at small, intimate weekly church gatherings.  From these humble beginnings, they felt a calling to write and record music that invites the presence of the Lord through his written scripture. Their sound is immersive and transcends genres, a reflection of the diverse backgrounds of each member. As they flood each place they visit with anthems of Worship to the King, Deluge Worship's mission is to create an atmosphere where listeners can encounter God in a profound and transformative way. 


Schedule

Wednesday, September 18

 

5:00 p.m.

 

Tour of The Union Rescue Mission (optional)

6:00 p.m.

 

Explore Norfolk for dinner (on your own)

Thursday, September 19

 

7:30 a.m.

 

Lite Breakfast (Hotel)

8:30 a.m.

 

Deluge Worship

9:00 a.m.

9:10 a.m.

  Devotions - Tom De Vries             

Session One - “Leadership in uncharted Territory” / Tod Bolsinger

10:10 a.m.

 

Break

10:30 a.m.

11:15 a.m.

12:15 p.m.

 

Session Two - “Visioncast” / Tom De Vries

Session Three - "The Key to the Future" / Tod Bolsinger

Intercession time and worship 

12:30 p.m.

 

Lunch (Hotel)

1:30 p.m.

3:00 p.m.

 

Breakout Sessions:

Leading in the Desert: Mission Specific Struggles (Split into groups by, Development, Front Line Staff, and Leadership)

Equipping the Saints Through Generations (Split into groups by age)


4:30 p.m.

 

Free Time

5:30 p.m.

  Dinner (Hotel)

6:45 p.m.

 

Break

7:00 p.m.

  Game

Friday, September 20

 

8:00 a.m.

 

Breakfast (On your own)

10:00 a.m.

 

Nauticus & Battleship Wisconsin

12:00 p.m.

 

Lunch Groups/Networking


Lodging

Waterside Hotel

Norfolk Waterside Marriott
235 E Main Street, Norfolk VA 23510

Located on the picturesque Elizabeth River Waterfront, in the heart of downtown Norfolk, steps away from the shopping and dining district. 

The room rate is $139/night, plus tax. This special rate is available through September 11, 2024.  Reserve your room online


Optional Events

When you register for the event you will be given the opportunity to also register for a couple of optional events.  

Wednesday, September 18 there will be a free tour of The Union Mission.  Transportation is available for anyone who would like to attend.                                                                                                              

Nauticus-Wisconsin Battleship

Thursday September 19 you will be within walking distance of Nauticus.

Nauticus is uniquely located along the waterfront in downtown, Norfolk, Virginia, offering a unique form of the experiential learning for all ages.  Through interactive exhibits and programming, Nauticus uses the museum, Battleship Wisconsin, which is the last battleship the United States Navy ever built, sailing center, and Schooner Virginia to tell the story of the maritime environment, industry, and the military.

 

Sponsorships: Sponsorship Deadline August 15

Citygate Network business members can choose between three levels of sponsorship available at the conference. Click on the appropriate sponsorship at the bottom of this page to register. Please note that sponsors must be in membership with Citygate Network, and a sponsorship or display table purchase is required in order to attend. To participate in the conference sessions and/or meals, you will also need to register as an attendee. If you have additional questions, please email Sam Edwards.

$700–Primary Sponsor  SOLD

  • Five-minute presentation to attendees during one of the meals or group gatherings
  • Handouts on dining table/chair (sponsor handles shipping and places handouts prior to session)
  • One display table during conference

$400–Break Sponsor

  • Handout during break on table/chair (sponsor handles shipping and places handouts prior to session)
  • One display table during conference

$250–Table Sponsor

  • One display table during conference

Please note: Sponsorship rates above do not include registration costs. Sponsors must also register for the event as an attendee.


Cancellation Policy

If you need to cancel your registration, you may do so with no penalty up to two weeks before the event. Cancellations requested less than two weeks before the event will result in a 30 percent cancellation fee.


Online registration is not available at this time.