By Dr. Jay Akkerman
In mid-July, NNU Pres. Mark DeMichael, Chaplain Nate Roskam, and faculty members Dr. Bethany Schultz and Prof. Alison Larson joined 19 NNU students for a week-long formational experience at Two Moose Camp in southwest Montana.
While the Student Leadership Summit is a new initiative for the NNU community, its purpose reflects a longstanding commitment woven into the fabric of NNU since our founding:
- Discipleship;
- Spiritual formation; and the
- Intentional development of student leaders.
For Pres. DeMichael, the summit embodies both his passion for cultivating leaders and his deep calling to make disciples.
Over seven days, the group participated in:
- Eight sessions focused on key biblical principles of leadership;
- Daily worship through music, Scripture, and prayer;
- Team-building activities and fellowship;
- Recreation and shared experiences;
- Opportunities to explore Montana’s natural beauty; and
- Intentional times of rest and reflection.
NNU student Ethan Kling reflected on his retreat experience this way: “At Leadership Summit, I was given so much time and space to spend time resting in God, asking Him, ‘Who are You?’ I found myself totally blown away by God’s majesty, which is where all of my strength comes from as a leader.”
Although leadership was the central theme of the summit, one truth emerged from the very first prayer as the group departed NNU’s campus: before we can lead well, we must first learn to follow Christ well.
As the NNU campus enters a new academic year, these 19 students are stepping into leadership roles across groups, teams, and clubs with renewed vision and purpose. They return equipped to serve as creative, redemptive agents in the transformational work that lies at the heart of NNU’s mission.
