GLORIETA, N.M. (BP)–The college years are generally known as a time for learning and experiencing new activities. A new program called High Point at Glorieta (N.M.), a LifeWay Conference Center, is contributing to the process by providing jobs and servant leadership training to 70 college students from across the country.
“We want students to improve their work ethic and become servant leaders through this program,” said Cindy Owen, co-director of High Point and a student at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Kansas City, Mo. Owen is completing a two-year missions internship at the University of Oklahoma at Norman.
High Point participants meet regularly in covenant groups for leadership development and spiritual growth. They also have in-depth study twice a week, and they work throughout the conference center in the cafeteria, bookstore, childcare, conference support and housekeeping.
“High Point is teaching us how to manage time and have an effective walk with God in an environment as close to the real world experience as possible,” said Joshua McClain, a senior at the University of Oklahoma. “It’s good training for how things will be after college.”
McClain and other upperclassman are covenant group leaders in addition to their work responsibilities at the conference center.
“As a covenant group leader I’ve seen the girls in my group grow and mature in their walks with Christ,” said Erin Gillum, also a senior at the University of Oklahoma. “It’s been an eye-opening experience for real life and we’re all learning balance and spiritual discipline.”
High Point participants are studying the discipleship courses, “Jesus on Leadership” by Gene Wilkes and “One on One with God” by Jerry Fine. Jerry and Marilyn Fine of Oklahoma City are at Glorieta working directly with the students for the summer.
“The students have Bible study with the Fines twice a week,” Owen said. “It’s all about becoming a disciple of Christ and learning the spiritual disciplines in the sessions.”
High Point participants say the program provides skills, lessons and experience that will affect them long after the summer has ended.
“Because we’ve had to apply the principles, I know I’ll take this with me for the rest of my life,” McClain said, with Gillum noting, “I’ve learned reproducible tools and fallen more in love with God.”
The High Point program is sponsored by National Student Ministry of LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, LifeWay’s conference centers and collegiate ministry programs throughout the country. It is intended to be a training lab in which leadership principles are developed in a practical work setting.
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(BP) photo posted in the BP Photo Library at www.sbcbaptistpress.org. Photo title: HIGH POINT.
