Each year we run a young leaders course, aimed at Christian young people, aged 16 – 20, who wish to grow in their faith and develop their leadership gifting. From September 2025, we had 8 young people from Elim, Riverside and the Community Church who signed up to the monthly programme, and over the next 6 months we looked at areas like spiritual disciplines, growing in personal faith, character and integrity, gifting and abilities, being part of a team, communication and preaching. Over the course, each also had the opportunity to choose a leadership coach from their own church to walk alongside them as they grew in their leadership.
The highlight of the course was to have each person attend our youth weekend away at Alton Castle as a young leader, putting into practice all they had learned and stepping out in their individual gifting. Each led a small group, ran a workshop, and served in a number of ways throughout the weekend, and some took the opportunity to preach, share testimony, share a prophetic word, or pray with young people. We couldn’t have been more proud of each one for how they embraced their fear and stepped up in the most wonderful ways.
In April we went out for a lovely meal to celebrate the end of the course and reflect on all that they had learned. They all spoke about how they had achieved far more than they ever thought they were capable of, and how they had been pushed more than they thought they would, but that they always felt really safe and supported throughout and never felt out of their depth.
The hugest thanks to Catriona and Ben who volunteer at each session. Catriona summed it up during our meal as she reflected with them about how they had arrived lacking in confidence, and carrying a real sense of ‘I can’t do this.’ Yet from the very beginning, we could clearly see who God had created them to be. It simply took time for each of them to believe in themselves and to trust how God could use them if they allowed Him to.
The next young leaders course will start in September 2026, for any Christian aged 16 – 20, who wishes to be stretched in their faith and developed in leadership. Please contact us for more information. You can fill in the application form here.
Sue Jolley
Operations and Church Lead