BCA 2026 - Mobile, AL

Presenter: Mitchell Bruce, Director of Marketing & Communications, The Baptist Foundation of Alabama

Location: North Gallery

Artificial Intelligence is transforming communication, but ministries must approach it wisely. In this session, we’ll explore the ethical, theological, and practical considerations of using AI in Christian communications. We'll consider guardrails that protect your ministry’s voice, maintain trust with your audience, and ensure technology serves the mission of your ministry context.

Presenter: Brian Hobbs, Communications Director, Oklahoma Baptists

Location: South Gallery

A crisis can come in many forms and at the most unexpected times, in church and ministry life. There are some key practical principles for responding in times of organizational crisis that bring calm and focus to the situation. We will discuss how we can bring God’s goodness to the forefront in a moment or season of organizational crisis through teamwork, care, and good communications.

Presenter: Laura Erlanson, Managing Editor, Baptist Press & Diana Chandler, Senior Writer, Baptist Press

Location: Crystal Ballroom A

How to honor long-term ministry, incremental growth, and unseen faithfulness in a culture addicted to immediacy.

Presenter: Will Heath, Media & Professional Development Adviser, Communication & Media at Samford University

Location: North Gallery

In a media environment often shaped by crisis, conflict, and cynicism, how can communicators of faith tell the truth while also pointing toward hope? This breakout introduces Solutions Journalism — an innovative reporting approach that holds the powerful accountable not only by exposing problems, but by rigorously examining effective responses. Drawing from experience presenting this model within faith-based academic and professional settings, Will Heath explores how editors, writers, and communicators can move full steam ahead with storytelling that is ethical, collaborative, and rooted in Kingdom values. Participants will gain practical insight into reframing stories to reflect both journalistic integrity and redemptive impact — offering a constructive alternative to incomplete or harmful media narratives.

Presenter: Kevin Gilligan, CEO, & Laura Santos, Marketing Director, Red Paper Plane Specialty Printers

Location: South Gallery

In a world flooded with digital noise, how do you make your message tangible, memorable, and shareable? Join Tina Kilby of Red Paper Plane to explore how specialty printing solutions can help communicators, designers, and marketers bring brands to life in ways that digital alone can’t match. From interactive pop-ups and dimensional mailers to video-enhanced print and standout direct mail pieces, Red Paper Plane’s innovative formats create experiences that stop the scroll and start conversations. In this session, you’ll see how tactile, visually striking print formats can complement your strategy, amplify engagement, and forge deeper connections with your audience — helping you move full steam ahead in capturing attention, fostering loyalty, and driving real-world impact.

Presenter: Brandon Elrod, Public Relations Consultant, NAMB

Location: Crystal Ballroom A

Sharing your faith can feel intimidating, especially when conversations involve unfamiliar beliefs or difficult questions. This session introduces Share the Gospel, an AI-powered web app that allows believers to practice gospel conversations with simulated partners from various worldviews. Learn how this tool can help you build confidence, think through common objections, and sharpen your ability to communicate the gospel clearly and graciously in real-life conversations. You'll also learn some of the backstory behind NAMB's development of the tool.

Presenter: Brian Harris, CEO, Dogwood Media Solutions

Location: North Gallery

What happens when ministry vision is no longer limited by your internal "to-do" list? In this breakout, Brian Harris from Dogwood shares how a strategic creative partnership allows organizations to stop managing tasks and start leading a movement. We’ll explore the practical side of collaboration — from brand strategy, social media, graphic design, to your website — and show how an outside perspective brings fresh innovation and measurable results your mission deserves. Discover how shifting from a solo effort to a partnership model can extend your reach and strengthen your message without burning you out and still remain on budget!

Presenter: Jim Veneman, Photojournalist

Location: South Gallery

What if the most powerful ministry stories are unfolding in the simplest moments? Many of the stories we’re called to tell don’t look dramatic at first glance. They happen in fellowship halls, hospital rooms, youth camps, and quiet Sunday mornings. Yet within those everyday, ordinary moments are extraordinary visual opportunities. In this session, we’ll explore how visual storytellers can recognize, anticipate, and capture the moments that move audiences from simply seeing... to truly feeling. We’ll consider practical ways to transform the common into visual stories that engage hearts and last long after the moment has passed.

Presenters: Lesa Moore, Vice President for Marketing & Public Relations; Kathy Dean, Associate Vice President for University Communications; & Heath Vester, Associate Vice President for Creative Service, University of Mobile

Location: Crystal Ballroom A

Great stories are only as powerful as their reach. Once you've captured a meaningful moment, how do you steward it well across every channel—without starting from scratch each time? In this breakout, communicators will learn how to take a single story — whether written, photographed, or filmed — and develop it into a cohesive, multi-platform communication strategy. From articles and social posts to video clips, email features, and campaign messaging, we'll explore practical ways to extend the life and impact of your content. Discover simple frameworks that help teams collaborate more effectively, reduce duplication of effort, and ensure every story moves full steam ahead toward greater Kingdom impact.

Presenter: Mitchell Bruce, Director of Marketing & Communications, The Baptist Foundation of Alabama

Location: North Gallery

With the right guardrails in place, AI can become a powerful partner in ministry, helping you amplify and dedicate more to the ministry God has given you. In this breakout, you'll explore how to weave AI into your communication work and discover practical use cases, to free you from the mundane so you can invest more of your energy in ministry and the work God is doing.

Presenter: Heath Vester, Associate Vice President for Creative Service, University of Mobile

Location: South Gallery

How to create reels, shorts, and clips that inform and inspire — not just chase trends.

Presenter: Kevin Blackwell, Executive Director, Mobile Baptist Network

Location: Crystal Ballroom A

Strong collaboration between executive leadership and communications teams is a must for transforming the CEO’s vision into compelling, mission-driven messaging. Drawing from his experience as a pastor, assistant to the president at Samford University, and now executive director of the Mobile Baptist Network, Kevin Blackwell will highlight some practical strategies for aligning your organization’s leadership priorities with clear, effective communication across diverse platforms, leading to Kingdom impact.

Facilitator: Margaret Colson

Panel: Jesse Conte, Sarah Graham, Henry Durant, Trennis Henderson, Macala Mays, Adam Covington

Location: The Admiral Hotel, Crystal Ballroom

We’ve all been there — asked to write when you’re a designer, shoot photos when you’re a writer, post a reel when you’ve never opened Instagram, or figure out a new tool five minutes before deadline. In today’s communication landscape, flexibility isn’t optional — it’s expected.

In this fast-paced panel discussion, panelists will each share their top practical tips for stepping outside your comfort zone with confidence. From writing and photography to social media, design, and emerging technology, this session will equip you with simple, actionable insights you can use immediately — no matter your primary role. You’ll leave encouraged, better prepared, and ready to move full steam ahead—even when the assignment makes you say, “You want me to do what?”