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In the Word and on the web, youths prep for conventions


Bible verses and blogging are encouraged in Paul and Kim Kelsey’s home.  
The members of the Sylvan Springs Church of Christ in Alabama are preparing for their annual trek to Nashville, Tenn., for the Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes convention.
The church-supported ministry challenges children to hone their Bible knowledge, speaking and singing ability and literary skills, with the goal of developing Christian leaders. Participants may choose from a variety of competitive and non-competitive events.
The Kelseys’ children, Addison, 11, and Levi, 9, have added a 21st century twist to the 45-year-old ministry.
They maintain personal blogs online, documenting their lives and providing audio snippets of their speeches for this year’s convention, based on the theme “Here Am I, Send Me.”

“I love Lads to Leaders because I get to lead songs, give speeches, write a blog, and study the Bible,” Levi Kelsey said. “This is my fourth year to participate, but my first year to compete.” (See his blog.)


“I love Lads to Leaders because I get to lead songs, give speeches, write a blog, and study the Bible. Levi Kelsey, age 8

It’s Addison Kelsey’s eighth year as a Leaderette.
“My favorite part is the Friday night singing at the fountain in the Opryland Hotel,” she said. (See her blog.)
Thousands of youths are expected at six convention venues across the Southeast on Easter weekend. Thousands more will participate in another youth program, Leadership Training for Christ, in 10 cities.
Nicole Favre, 15, will participate in the LTC Western region convention in Santa Clara, Calif.
She’s been brushing up on her Old Testament knowledge for this year’s theme, “Called Out” highlighting the life of Moses.  
The convention helps Favre “grow closer with the youth group from our church as well as other congregations,” she said.
She also enjoys learning more about the Bible through events such as drama and puppet shows, “all in a fun, low-key competitive atmosphere.”

Shyanne Phillips (PHOTO PROVIDED)

In the small town of Wetumpka, Ala., Shyanne Phillips is eager for her chance to participate in Lads to Leaders.
“Coming from a broken home, I never dreamed that, at 16, I would find Mike and Johnna Horn, who have become my legal guardians,” she said.
The Horns are 21-year veterans of Lads to Leaders and encouraged Phillips to get involved.

“I never would have believed how much fun this would be,” Phillips said. “Though I am shy, I love practicing my speech. I don’t know how to express my joy at the love I feel because of my family and Lads to Leaders.” 

RELATED COVERAGE

•  SEE A LIST OF VENUES for Leadership Training for Christ and Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes 

• A PARENT’S VIEW:  “Seek the true prize in LTC, Lads to Leaders.”

• VOICES: Share your thoughts about L2L, LTC.

SEE
A LIST OF VENUES for Leadership Training for Christ and Lads to
Leaders/Leaderettes and additional comments in “Voices”. – See more at:
https://christianchronicle.org/article/seek-the-true-prize-in-ltc-lads-to-leaders?Preview=True#sthash.rflkXUaK.dpuf
SEE
A LIST OF VENUES for Leadership Training for Christ and Lads to
Leaders/Leaderettes and additional comments in “Voices”. – See more at:
https://christianchronicle.org/article/seek-the-true-prize-in-ltc-lads-to-leaders?Preview=True#sthash.rflkXUaK.dpuf

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