The first Christians ‘spoke the word of God boldly’ (Acts 4:31) – and it was key to establishing the early church. Rachel Blake, SU’s Young Leader Enabler, hopes that Elevate, our new training weekend, will help raise up a new generation of young Christians to do the same today.
The first Christians ‘spoke the word of God boldly’ (Acts 4:31) – and it was key to establishing the early church. Rachel Blake, SU’s Young Leader Enabler, hopes that Elevate, our new training weekend, will help raise up a new generation of young Christians to do the same today.
Many young people who discover Jesus can’t wait to share him with others. It’s vital that we invest in them so they can do that well. They can come as team on our holidays and missions and learn leadership skills – and we’ve designed Elevate to enhance that learning.
We piloted it last November in Birmingham; 13 young Christians met up with SU staff who would train and equip them. At the young leaders’ request, we focused on knowing how to hear God, how to use the Bible well with children and young people, and knowing your identity, plus optional sessions on topics such as leadership challenges and communication. We did archery, tubing and climbing too to help them bond as a group, which they did really well.
God has plans and a purpose for each of us.
Here are some of the key things young leaders told us they learned from Elevate:
- ‘…God can still use us despite our imperfections and differences.’
- ‘…God can speak to us in more than just big visions and dreams.’
- ‘To hear God, spend more time with him and get familiar with his voice.’
- ‘God has plans and a purpose for each one of us.’
- ‘Take the bad clothes (bad habits) off then put on the new clothes (qualities) God wants; don’t put on the good habits without taking off the bad ones.’
- ‘God is always willing to answer – it just might not be straight away or in the way you expect.’
One young leader reports that when a friend had said, ‘I don’t know how to hear God speaking to me’, she got out her notes from Elevate and said, ‘Well let me show you; I’ve got a whole list’!
Support our young leaders
Pray for young Christians learning leadership skills on this summer’s SU holidays and missions, and for more young leaders to sign up (they can use it towards their gold Duke of Edinburgh award).
Look out for our next fundraising appeal towards the end of June, sharing stories from young leaders and inviting you to support this vital work.