by Scott Miller
Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes is a leadership program geared to train the youth in leadership in the Church. Leadership through the program is determined in four different ways: 1)leadership through spreading the gospel and teaching, 2)leadership through leading worship, 3)leadership through fellowship and relationships, and 4)leadership through knowledge. All these leadership skills are vital for continual growth in the Church.
The program also gives adults an opportunity to serve and build strong relationships with the youth that they would not have otherwise.
Strengthening and sharpening these leadership skills gives youth encouragement and confidence in themselves to lead and even stand up for the teachings of Christ at times when standing up for Christ is not popular.
The question for each of our youth that participates in the events is, “Are you more confident in the scripture and leadership skills than you were last year?” If the answer is yes, then the program is a success.
Each of these leadership skills can be used in the Church, in the family, and in the business world. The world needs more Christian leaders!
Last weekend, our youth from 4 years old to 19 years old participated in the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes convention. What a great weekend!!! The focus of the weekend was “God meant it for Good” – the story of Joesph. We had up to 50 at the convention and up to 35 participate in the activities.
Our youth participated in sharing the gospel through speech, leading others in singing and worship, debating “hot” topics in the Church, puppet teams, reading scripture to a group and testing of Genesis Bible knowledge through Bible Bowl. We also used our talent by presenting scrapbooks and art projects at the convention – including an actual coat of many colors.
This weekend we discussed that God is able to use activities and events that the world would consider not good to bring about good. There were many lessons on Joseph and what happened to him that God was able to use for good, as well as, lessons on Paul and what happened to him through the missionary journeys that God used for good.
Puppets gave our youth an opportunity to grow and lead through fellowship with each other as Esther, Paul, David and Joesph battled it out for a game of Bible jeopardy. Congrats to Esther for the most points! Still looking for the insta-coat when temperature in service becomes extreme. (“insta-Coat it’s no joke”).
We would like to thank all the youth who participated and the adults who helped. As Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes say, a Church’s Lads/Leaderettes program is only as good as the adult leaders.
We are starting to prepare for next year! If anyone wants to take an area to lead and train, let Scott Miller know.