Leadership Summit 2001

In the summer of 2001, nearly 140 students and adults gathered for the first Leadership Summit of the Church of God. Through incredible teaching from Church of God pastors, college professors, political figures, and others; outreach experiences; awesome worship; and cross-cultural interaction, students were challenged to grow and develop as Christians and as leaders. We found the summit so inspiring that we are having another one.

"It's amazing when we 'clean' our ears and tune them up to what God has to say to us...if we put our complete trust in him and only look ahead to the things he has for us, we can't even imagine what's to come. . .This was definitely a life altering experience and I am only looking to go higher."

—Deonka Stewart, Raleigh/Winston-Salem, NC, Leadership Summit 2001

"At the leadership summit I learned that God doesn't want the stuff I fill my life with, he wants me. He loves me for who he created me to be in his world. I must choose to grab his hand as he reaches out his love to me everyday. At the summit I found that life can be simple. Love God, love people, and the rest will fall into place."

—Joe Graham, Midland, MI, Leadership Summit 2001

"I am here to tell you that God moved [at Leadership Summit 2001]. Hearts were broken, molded, shaped, defined, and joined as God's love descended upon each and every one. Four days later the lines of color and age and spiritual maturity were blurred beyond focus and we left with a magnified trust in God some never knew was even available to them. I was honored and blessed to be a part of this event. I am grateful to be a part of the planning for 2003—'1 Voice, 1 Purpose, 1 God' is what it's all about!"

—Sandina Short, Church of God Ministries, Anderson, IN, Leadership Summit 2001

A Great Story...Washington, D.C., June 28–July 1, 2001

Ninety-five high school youth, twenty college students, and another twenty adult speakers and leaders from around North America gathered this past weekend (June 28–July 1) for Leadership Summit 2001 at Howard University in Washington D.C. Here is an excerpt from a letter from one participant, Keith Spencer:

"As I sit here on Monday evening reflecting on the past four days in Washington, D.C., my mind is overflowing with thoughts and emotions. So much occurred, so much was learned, and so many prayers were answered. My prayer for those four days was for God to do some amazing work not only in my life, but in the lives of all the participants. I prayed so earnestly in hope that God would break me down completely, and build me back up. Man, was I amazed on Thursday night when Bart Campolo spoke on being a Servant Leader. My whole view on leadership was completely broken and rebuilt. I wrote in my journal,

'Servant Leadership?...Those leaders are the ones who feel something, and give their all. How did Jesus know the story of the Good Samaritan? It's because he was [the one] who was beaten and bloody. It's not about whether God loves me, but whether I love him enough to stop and help. What's the payoff...not for me to become famous, but for someone's life to be impacted.'

"So now, I ask myself, 'Why did I write all of this?' Maybe this will be an encouragement to those who were not at the summit; maybe this will be a reminder of the task that now lies ahead of us for those in attendance at the summit. Either way, I hope this blesses you in some way. May God richly bless and use you..."

This event was sponsored by the National Inspirational Youth Convention and the International Youth Convention of the Church of God and is one of the many ways the Church of God equips the youth and the leaders of the church for ministry.

Leadership Summit partners with