NASHVILLE, Tenn.— From grades 2 to 12, Jonathan Chapman participated in Lads to Leaders at his church in Germantown, Tenn.
“It taught me so many things — not only to be a better Christian but also a better leader,” said Chapman, who traveled from Louisville, Ky., to join nearly 10,000 youths and their parents at the program’s convention in Nashville. Thousands more gathered at venues across the country on Easter weekend for L2L conventions and for Leadership Training for Christ, a similar program. Both immerse youths from Churches of Christ in Scripture through events from song leading to puppet shows, speech and drama.
“I think it’s one of the best things that’s going on in Churches of Christ right now,” said Justin Rogers, a member of the Lexington Church of Christ in Tennessee, adding that the principles kids learn in the program will serve them regardless of what they do after graduation.
Chapman said that the skills he’s gained helped him to go to a church with only 12 members and “jump in and make an impact.”
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Lads to Leaders participants lead Easter Sunday worship at the Nashville convention. Photo by Calvin Cockrell.
Congregations new to the Nashville Lads to Leaders convention participate in a welcome reception. Photo by Calvin Cockrell.
Student-produced art lines the tables at the Nashville Lads to Leaders event. Photo by Calvin Cockrell.
Bible bowlers try a practice round before they launch into 100 questions on Matthew at the North Texas Leadership Training for Christ convention in Dallas. Photo by Erik Tryggestad.
The chorus from the Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City practices before its performance at the North Texas LTC in Dallas. Photo by Erik Tryggestad.
During a break at the North Texas LTC, Ramona Hyles and Meredith Meyers of the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston impersonate a lobby statue. Photo by Erik Tryggestad.
Young Lads to Leaders participants display their oral Bible reading certificates at the Little Rock convention. Photo by Nia Johnson.
Kids (and their puppets) from the Deerfoot Church of Christ in Birmingham, Ala., smile before their event at the Little Rock Lads to Leaders convention. Photo by Nia Johnson.
A group of winners at the Little Rock Lads to Leaders convention show off their medals. Photo by Nia Johnson.
