The Effingham YMCA is excited to announce a new initiative for high school sophomores and juniors focusing on leadership training from a Christian perspective called, The Christian Leadership Academy.  

The Christian Leadership Academy, a seven-month program beginning in September, is designed to take 12 rising high school sophomores and juniors from Effingham County public and private schools and train them in the skills of leadership done from a Christian perspective.

“We’re really excited about this new program,”said Kim Dennis, director of the Effingham YMCA, “The Christian Leadership Academy will help us achieve our mission of ‘putting Christian principles into practice’ by instilling in young people the values that are necessary to be a productive Christian leader in the future.”  

The purpose of the Christian Leadership Academy is to train today’s students to carry Christian leadership principles into the future world of family, education, church, government and business.  These select students will meet one evening a month, in various local locations, to discuss topics such as: Pursuing personal excellence, discovering your purpose in life, principles of Christian leadership in the home, being informed and involved in government leadership, impacting your community through the local church, personal financial responsibility and stewardship, and Christian professional ethics.  

Guest speakers for the class of 2009-2010 include: Randy Bugos (CEO of YMCA of Coastal Georgia), state Rep. Jon Burns, former state Rep. Ann R. Purcell, Harry Shearouse (CEO Citizen’s Bank of Effingham), Jason Pridgen (teacher at Ebenezer Elementary), Mose Mock (retired Effingham County educator and former director of FFA), Rev. Jeff Rollins (pastor of First Baptist Church of Springfield), Talbert Edenfield (president of Edenfield Financial Services, Inc.) and others.  

All participants will receive a free YMCA membership for one year (September-August), special local media recognition, award of excellence upon completion of the program, valuable experience that can be added to their personal bio, and possible letters of recommendation used for college applications and/or job applications, priceless lessons from our present community leaders on what real success and Christian leadership look like, and a sense of purpose and direction for their future.  Participants will also be required to give 20 hours of volunteer service to the YMCA over the course of the seven month program.     

Nomination applications should be submitted to the Effingham YMCA by Aug. 15.  Only 12 students will be selected by the Effingham YMCA Board of Directors for this unique opportunity.  

Nomination forms may be acquired by contacting the Effingham YMCA at 826-2199.