Life With God
Summit 2026
Equipping the Next Generation to Live with God, Lead with Purpose, and Impact the World Around Them.
personal development & leadership event | September 26, 2026 | 12:00pm – 5:30pm
The Bushnell | Hartford, Connecticut
A transformational one-day experience designed to equip young adults and college students with the spiritual foundation, leadership development, practical life skills, mentorship, and meaningful relationships they need to thrive.
Life’s greatest questions—Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going?—are answered as you build relationship with God.
At Life With God Movement, we believe lasting transformation begins with God. Our mission is to help you establish that foundation and equip you with the practical life skills, personal development, and the faith and wisdom needed to navigate life's challenges.
Through leadership development, mentorship, meaningful connections, and valuable resources, we prepare you to fulfill your God-given purpose and positively impact the world around you.
Shakira L.A. Thomas
Founder, Life With God Movement
The Vision
Your opportunity to grow, lead, and build meaningful connections that will shape your future.
Join young adults, college students, professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, ministry leaders, and community leaders for an inspiring afternoon designed to equip you for success in every area of life. Experience practical leadership development, meaningful mentorship, professional networking, workforce readiness, and real-life conversations that will help you grow with confidence, purpose, and direction.
Whether you’re preparing for college, launching your career, navigating adulthood, or discovering your next step, the Life With God Summit is designed to provide the relationships, resources, and practical tools you need to thrive. Most importantly, you’ll discover how building a strong relationship with God provides the foundation for becoming the leader you were created to be and making a positive impact on the world around you.
Life With God
Leadership
Mentorship
Workforce Readiness
Resources
Community Impact
Why You Should Attend?
A transformational summit designed to help you grow spiritually, develop leadership skills, build meaningful connections, and prepare for your future with purpose.
Grow Your Faith
Build a deeper, more meaningful relationship with God that becomes the foundation for every area of your life.
Develop Your Leadership
Gain practical leadership skills, confidence, and character to lead with purpose wherever God places you.
Build Meaningful Connections
Connect with like-minded young adults, experienced mentors, and leaders who will encourage your personal and professional growth.
Gain Practical Life Skills
Learn real-world skills and strategies to navigate adulthood, make wise decisions, and thrive in everyday life.
Prepare for College & Career Success
Discover tools, insights, and opportunities to help you succeed in college, launch your career, and achieve your goals.
Discover Resources & Opportunities
Explore valuable organizations, mentors, internships, career pathways, and community resources designed to support your journey.
Impact the World Around You
Leave equipped to make a positive difference in your family, workplace, community, and wherever God calls you to lead.
The Summit Experience
12:00 PM | Leadership Connections Reception
Begin the afternoon by checking in, enjoying light refreshments, and connecting with fellow attendees, mentors, business professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, nonprofit leaders, and community leaders. This relaxed networking experience is designed to help participants build relationships, ask questions, share their goals, and begin meaningful conversations before the summit officially begins.
1:00 PM | Building Life With God
The summit officially begins by establishing the foundation for everything that follows—a thriving relationship with God. Through worship, biblical teaching, and practical application, participants will discover how walking with God shapes their identity, purpose, leadership, and everyday decisions.
2:00 PM | Leadership & Life Development
An engaging leadership forum featuring Christian leaders and professionals sharing practical wisdom on leadership, career development, finances, health, relationships, emotional wellness, resilience, and navigating adulthood. Participants will leave with practical tools to help them grow personally and professionally.
3:15 PM | Purpose-Driven Leadership Keynote
Hear from a nationally recognized Christian leader who will inspire, challenge, and equip attendees to pursue purpose, lead with excellence, and make a lasting impact in the world around them.
4:45 PM | Closing Leadership Challenge
The summit concludes with a powerful leadership challenge, encouraging participants to take what they’ve learned and put it into action. Attendees will leave inspired, connected, and equipped with practical next steps, valuable relationships, and renewed confidence to live with God, lead with purpose, and positively impact the world around them.
Featured Speakers
Speakers and Distinguished Guests
Rev. Dr. Lakisha Hyatt
Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Executive | Leadership Strategist, KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Cornieta Whitfield
Minister & Purpose Development Coach Speaker, Purpose & Calling
Lisa O’Connor
HR Executive, Speaker, Career Readiness
Nuchette Black Burke
Mayor of Windsor Connecticut Distinguished Guest
Dionne Nicholls-Germain,
Chief Forgiveness Officer Master of Ceremonies
Shakira L.A. Thomas
Speaker, Building Intimacy with God
Rev. Dr. Suzette DeBeatham-Brown, MHS, CDE
Deputy Commissioner, ADS Distinguished guest
Dr. Tamara B. Smith
Infrastructure Executive & Leadership Strategist Distinguished guest
Joel Cruz Jr.
Executive Director, Urban Alliance, Inc Distinguished guest
Rohan Brown MA, MDiv, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor, Speaker, Identity & Wellness
Christine Grant
Higher Education & Inclusive Excellence Leader | Former Assistant Vice President, University of Hartford Distinguished guest
Dr. Georgia Powell
Executive Director, Powell Mental Health Distinguished guest
Dr. Donald D. McAulay, Jr.
Speaker, Leadership & Character
Healthcare Leader
Christian Counselor
Coming soon
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Sponsors
Partners investing in the next generation.
Invest in the next generation.
Your sponsorship helps provide leadership development, mentorship, practical life-skills education, scholarships, and transformational experiences for young adults.
Who Should Attend
The Bushnell | Hartford, Connecticut – 166 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT.
- High school seniors
- College students
- Graduate students
- Young professionals
- Young adults (17–30)
- Campus ministry leaders
- Emerging leaders
- Young entrepreneurs
- Anyone desiring to deepen their relationship with God while growing as a leader.
The Venue
The Bushnell | Hartford, Connecticut
Future Participant & Outreach Stories
Stories of purpose, growth, leadership, and transformation from young adults, mentors, and community partners connected to Life With God Movement.
Life With God Movement helped me understand that my relationship with God is the foundation for my purpose, confidence, and future.
This summit creates the kind of environment young adults need — faith, mentorship, leadership development, and real connections that can shape their future.
Young people need more than inspiration. They need practical tools, meaningful relationships, and a strong spiritual foundation. This event brings all of that together.
FAQs
Everything You Need to know
The Life With God Summit is designed for high school seniors, college students, graduate students, young professionals, and young adults (approximately ages 17–30) who desire to grow in their relationship with God, develop as leaders, build meaningful connections, and prepare for success in college, careers, and life.
No. The Life With God Summit is a free event, thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and community partners. Registration is required, and space is limited.
Yes! Light refreshments will be available during the Leadership Connections Reception, and lunch will be provided for all registered attendees.
Absolutely! Churches, campus ministries, schools, and community organizations are encouraged to register groups of young adults. It’s a great opportunity to invest in the next generation while allowing participants to build new relationships with peers and leaders from across the region.
Yes. Free parking is available directly across from The Bushnell | Hartford, Connecticut – 166 Capitol Avenue in Hartford, CT in a dedicated parking area for attendees. Additional parking information will be provided prior to the event.
To create an environment specifically designed for young adults to build relationships, engage in discussions, and connect with mentors and professionals, attendance is reserved for registered participants. We appreciate the understanding and support of parents and families as they encourage their young adults to participate in this unique experience.
Absolutely! Networking is one of the signature experiences of the summit. During the Leadership Connections Reception and throughout the day, attendees will have opportunities to connect with business professionals, entrepreneurs, educators, ministry leaders, nonprofit leaders, and community leaders. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions, build relationships, receive mentorship, discover career opportunities, and connect with valuable resources that support their personal, professional, and spiritual growth.
Business casual or smart casual attire is recommended. Come comfortable, confident, and ready to learn, connect, and engage throughout the day.
Just bring yourself, an open mind, and a willingness to learn! We also recommend bringing a notebook or tablet for notes and plenty of business cards if you have them.
Organizations and businesses interested in investing in the next generation are invited to become summit sponsors. Sponsorship opportunities provide meaningful visibility while supporting leadership development, mentorship, workforce readiness, and practical life-skills education for young adults.
We welcome professionals, business leaders, educators, entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, and community volunteers who are passionate about investing in the next generation. Volunteer opportunities include greeting attendees, assisting with event operations, and serving during our signature Leadership Connections experience by encouraging, mentoring, and connecting young adults with valuable resources and opportunities. Visit our Volunteer page or contact us to learn more.
The Life With God Summit is more than a conference. It’s an interactive leadership and personal development experience rooted in Christian faith. Beyond inspiring speakers, attendees gain practical life skills, leadership development, mentorship, professional networking, and access to valuable resources—all designed to help them thrive in college, careers, and life while becoming Christ-centered leaders who positively impact the world around them.
Registration Form
Life With God Summit 2026
Reserve your seat for a transformational one-day experience designed to help you grow with God, develop leadership, build meaningful connections, and prepare for your future with purpose.