Christian Leadership Institute spotlights young leaders of tomorrow
By Tony Martin
Associate Editor
The Christian Leadership Institute (CLI), a leadership development ministry for young people sponsored by the Christian Action Commission of the Mississippi Baptist Convention, kicked off a week of intensive leadership training July 10 on the campus of Baptist-affiliated Blue Mountain Christian University in Blue Mountain.
The camp is designed to equip and encourage young men and women to consider and pursue a life of public service. Students ages 13-19 are eligible to attend. A total of 49 students and eight adult coaches/mentors participated this year.
Keynote speaker for the July 10 dinner banquet was Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, who said, “I want to thank you for taking a leap of faith and seeking to improve yourselves as leaders in spending a week here.
“Just being in the room with you brings me an incredible amount of joy. There are so many young people in this great state whose energetic faithfulness is going to help lead us into the future. I’m so proud of you.
“I love that this Institute is here for the specific purpose of equipping Christ-following young people with the leadership skills needed to make a difference in your community. Mississippi needs you. America needs you.
“We need you to prepare yourselves to take on these roles because your generation will soon be the pastors, the teachers, the representatives, and perhaps even the governors who lead Mississippi into the future,” he said.
Other personalities speaking during the banquet included:
— Kenny Digby, executive director-treasurer of the Christian Action Commission.
— Drew Watford, pastor of worship and communications at First Church, Amory.
— Shawn Parker, executive director-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.
— Lloyd Sweatt, president of the Mississippi Baptist Convention and pastor of Meadowood Church, Amory.
During the week of camp, each student is assigned a coach/mentor. There are opportunities for camper groups to compete in games and earn awards. The week includes breakout sessions focusing on leadership skills development. College scholarships of over $8,500 have been provided to date.
On Tuesday through Thursday, camp days consist of breakfast, breakout sessions, a speaker, lunch, activities, free time, dinner, and another speaker. Friday’s schedule features breakfast, a breakout session, a panel discussion, and lunch.
Speakers who participated in the 2023 Christian Leadership Institute included:
— Lynn Fitch, attorney general for the State of Mississippi.
— Kaleb Digby, captain in the Mississippi National Guard and commander of the Booneville Armory.
— Doug Rakestraw, department chaplain and assistant jail administrator for Prentiss County Sheriff’s Department in Booneville.
— Jimmy Porter, executive director-treasurer emeritus of the Christian Action Commission and pastor of First Church, Anguilla.
— Larry Akers, Marion County (Ala.) commissioner.
— Andy Gipson, commissioner of agriculture and commerce for the State of Mississippi.
— Shawn Parker, executive director-treasurer of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board.
“Our fifth Christian Leadership Institute was the best ever. Governor Tate Reeves kicked off our opening banquet for more than 180 attendees on Monday night. We closed the CLI with a video message from our attorney general, Lynn Fitch.
“In between, our teenagers heard from law enforcement, military, county government, state government, and Mississippi Baptist Convention leaders,” said Digby. “The teenagers had breakout sessions on leadership and participated in all types of team-building activities.
“Bible knowledge is emphasized in every session with the Turn Down game,” he said.
“On our final night, $2,500 in scholarships was awarded in memory of Austin Lee Digby. More than $10,000 has been awarded over the CLI’s five-year history.
“I want to thank Blue Mountain Christian University, one of our own Mississippi Baptist institutions, for hosting the CLI for the fifth straight year.
“Governor Reeves and Commissioner Gipson each turned a spotlight on the CLI by posting about their visits through their social media channels. It is better to light a candle — or better, 49 candles — than curse the darkness,” Digby said,
The Christian Leadership Institute is supported each year by gifts to the Mississippi Cooperative Program and sponsorship fees. The 2024 Christian Leadership Institute will be July 8-12 at Blue Mountain Christian University. For more information, Digby can be contacted at kdigby@christianaction.com.