8 Students Take On 12 Day Adventure

What does it mean to be an authentic leader? This past August 8 YD Communities students were accepted into the first Youth Dynamics 12 Day Leadership Pursuit. This course challenged them physically, taking them kayaking, horseback riding, rock-climbing and backpacking. It also stretched and grew them as leaders, teaching them character, teambuilding, communication and integrity.

Reading through the students’ applications, we were overwhelmed by the challenges and hardship these 16-18 year-olds had already faced: broken homes, abuse, jail, substance abuse, and yet God was already at work in their lives through YD staff loving on them and sharing the gospel.  By day four of the trip, the students were taking turns sharing a morning devotion with the group, creating reflection questions for quiet time, cooking all the meals without much help, cleaning up the kitchen and doing all the dishes—mostly without being told. 

At the end of the 12 days, one student had to say this about their experience:

“I was stretched in ways I’ve never been stretched. There were times where I was crying and I felt like giving up, but I had a group of friends rallying around me. So I kept going. I did things that I didn’t think were ever possible. This trip left me feeling more focused… it gave me a heart to help others and I feel like God has a plan for me now.”

This coming summer, YD will be hosting two student Leadership Trips: Leadership Pursuits and GMIT (Godly Men in Training).  For more info, follow the links!