‘Train up a child in the way he should go’
Teen drama group from the Copperas Cove Church of Christ in Texas. (PHOTO BY LAURA AKINS)
“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”
— Proverbs 22:6
DALLAS — I love Leadership Training for Christ.
I love going to the convention and seeing odd costumes and props throughout the hotel. I love watching groups of teens walk around looking for friends from far away churches (that was totally me 16 years ago). And I love hearing the choruses, watching the dramas and checking out the artwork.
Sculpture art by seventh grader Jaelee Kerr from the Green Lawn Church of Christ in Lubbock, Texas. (PHOTO BY LAURA AKINS)
But mostly, I love seeing children get excited about Jesus.
This weekend was especially thrilling for me — I watched my third-grade daughter, Reese, participate in LTC for the first time.
Our congregation, Memorial Road Church of Christ in Oklahoma City, attended the Dallas Hilton Anatole convention along with 89 other Churches of Christ. My daughter was one of 2,300 children and teens at our location and one of 4,670 participants who attended the three North Texas LTC convention sites.
During the 24 hours we were at the convention we rushed from Bible quiz to chorus to puppets to drama; we fought crowds, made quick costume changes and waited 15 minutes every time we needed to take the elevator. I watched my daughter recite memorized lines and sing for the Lord — like I said, it was thrilling.
When she had completed all of her events, we left the hotel — and our LTC bubble — completely exhausted. As we sunk into our seats in the car, I looked back at my daughter and caught her quiet words right before she fell asleep.
“I can’t wait to come back next year.”
I think it’s safe to say she loves it as much as I do.
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A drama group from the West Erwin Church of Christ in Tyler, Texas. (PHOTO BY LAURA AKINS)
RELATED COVERAGE: “Their faith awakens,” Lads to Leaders and LTC conventions inspire creativity among young believers. Now, former participants coach new generations. Also see “Lads to Leaders vs. LTC: What’s the difference?“
