On Friday, Jan. 25, 2013, First Priority held its Eighth Annual Leader’s Summit at Southeastern Bible College. Nearly 500 students, teachers, youth leaders and parents from 55 intermediate, middle, junior high and high schools across Central Alabama attended this year’s event. Despite the threat for winter weather and school delays, we were still able to positively impact many students’ lives. Leader’s Summit is an in-depth leadership training event for students, teacher sponsors and campus coaches involved in First Priority local campus ministries. School boards of education endorsed the program, allowing a group of students from each school to attend the Summit and count the event as an excused absence.

Christian Rapper Hallel H.P. kicked off the morning with an exciting new First Priority theme song titled “God First.” Throughout the day, Christ City Church Band led praise and worship that allowed students’ hearts to be opened to receive Gods word. Students enjoyed a day of intense training from Evangelist Ed Newton who shared his moving testimony in the morning and then challenged students from the book of Joshua in the afternoon to wrap up our day. Students also heard from Youth Speaker and University of Alabama Football Player Taylor Morton. Taylor shared what God has taught him through his life experiences about overcoming adversity and challenged students to use their time as a gift from God. Before our lunch break, Fixed Point Foundation Founder and Executive Director Larry Taunton showed students the need for apologetics and then answered some of the toughest questions from the crowd about defending their faith. These respected leaders provided students with information that propelled them as leaders in their school.

Bud’s Best Cookies provided cookies for each student in attendance and Christian Service Mission provided bottled water. Students enjoyed lunch from Shane’s Rib Shack. God moved in mighty ways and students left enthusiastic to use their talents to spread the love and message of Jesus Christ with their peers.

“After eight years of helping with Leader’s Summit, it is amazing to see the number of students who have been coming since primary school and are now leading clubs and becoming campus coaches,” said First Priority Area Director James Cato. “The investment over this time has been worth it all when students step up to the challenge and LEAD IT.”

We would like to give a special thanks to our sponsors, donors, volunteers, speakers and band who helped make this event such a great success! We would also like to thank all those again who attended Leader’s Summit. We are already looking forward to next year! Be sure to click on the links below to view pictures from the Summit.

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“I loved the Leader’s Summit and really glad I went.  I don’t think I have ever been more inspired to hear and get into the Word of The Lord! I really liked the speakers and glad they had a lot to say! They made me think a little more about becoming the best leader I can and made me want to get more involved in First Priority!” –  Jessie, Student

“The Leader’s Summit was very insightful and informative. I loved the fact that I was mixed among other students who are in First Priority and how we had the opportunity to interact.” – Courteney, Student

“My daughter went with Leeds Middle School and she LOVED it! And, I loved seeing all the notes she took and listening to her tell her favorite speaker’s story. She was definitely blessed by the whole event!” – Christa, Parent

“Our student leaders were inspired to share what they learned with our whole club. They were especially inspired to share the apologetics information. Our students became closer as a team. They were able to talk, laugh, learn and worship together. Since their ages span three grade levels and they all attend different churches, weekly First Priority club meetings are the only time they really are able to interact with one another. This Summit gave them an opportunity to share in an experience they wouldn’t have otherwise received.” Teacher

Please plan now to sponsor a school to attend next year’s Leader’s Summit. Visit www.gofirstpriority.com or call 205.871.8886 to make a donation.