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On the Eve of the 2015 Commencement, we Check-In with a Recent Grad

Posted by: Lauren Saulino | May 15, 2015 | No Comment |

By: Leland Gross (’14)

I have taken nine months after graduating to be a part of a 9 month leadership development program through the National Prayer Breakfast, the second largest annual event that the president attends and speaks at, and the National Student Leadership Forum. The NPB is an annual event hosted by the House and Senate with the purpose of gathering world leaders from all walks of life to put aside differences and discuss the value of Jesus and his leadership principles. The NSLF is an annual event held for college-aged student leaders from around the country for the same purposes.These are not Christian events, but operate with the vision that regardless of whether or not you believe in the divinity of Jesus, we can all rally around his core values of love, unity, and servant leadership.

FullSizeRender (1)My internship is similar. For nine months I live in a house with six other guys who just graduated from all over the country. During the year we engage in extensive training regarding relationships, leadership and communications with successful business leaders and U.S. Congressmen. We facilitate leadership development training for emerging student leaders at the NSLF and NPB pertaining to conflict resolution, group dynamics, communication and reconciliation techniques. In addition we travel throughout the U.S. and internationally, to meet with business and civic leaders to learn about servant leadership.

Two great trips I have taken were to New York to be homeless for a week and to Ethiopia to be with a family that helps facilitate leadership development to African Leaders.

IMG_0216In New York I had one person with me, one change of clothes, a toothbrush, a water bottle, and a phone and credit card for emergency use only. We were there for six days. The purpose was to trust the Lord, trust others, and see where we could serve. We stayed and served in homeless shelters where we met great people. Overall from random people we met we were given a home to stay in for three days, $330, all of our meals paid for, and great new friends. One was involved in a local church. A week after we left he told his church about us and through a crazy turn of events met a man who through our story was moved to pay for our friend David’s rent indefinitely. Cool huh!?

Ethiopia was different. Still uncomfortable in ways but we had a guaranteed home. I was again with one other person (different from New York). Our days consisted of lots of coffee (a cultural phenomenon there) and meetings with different leaders. Two interesting meetings were with a man who was a former ambassador to Germany who is currently working on the South Sudan Peace talks. We picked his brain on his leadership perspectives, offered him reconciliation advice and had a great talk about Jesus. I find that Jesus is a great figure, but due to recent problems with the Christian church many people are turned off to him. However, when you get past that to talk about who he was as a person and as a leader it leads to great conversations! Another meeting was with the Center for African Leadership Development which helps leadership consulting for local businesses. We met with them a few times and our last time shared with them a Ted Talk by Brene Brown called the Power of Vulnerability (check it out its great!). We then led a discussion on the importance of vulnerability and human connection when engaging in leadership settings.

It has been an incredible year of growth and adventure. I feel honored and humbled to have been given this experience. My program ends next Friday and I already have ample job opportunity based on the connections built here. It has been amazing. I am sad to see this season end, but I am excited to continue these relationships and see where life takes me.

under: News

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