EMCC Youth and Charis Camp teamed up to launch LeaderFace – a leadership retreat for junior high students.  Thirty students and leaders from the lower mainland BC attended the launch at Charis Camp in Chilliwack, February 5-6, 2016.

This 24-hour retreat included times of teaching, small group interaction, exercises to provide hands-on experience with basic leadership principles, and various games to add to the fun. The purpose of LeaderFace is to connect an up-and-coming generation of leaders to one another, to other mentors and to our EMCC culture and identity.  Key teaching points in this first edition were the significance of following Jesus together and modeling the way for others.

Comments from students as the retreat came to a close were very affirming. Some even wondered if we could repeat the event every other week!  Leaders from local churches that were involved also saw great value in the experience. And so plans have been set in motion to continue LeaderFace – not every other week, but annually in the early part of February. The next edition will build on the principles introduced this year so that returning students will continue to be challenged in their leadership development and their journey with Jesus.