Pam Davenport, CA Communications
Pam Davenport, CA Communications
More than 450 students and teachers gathered September 4, 2025, at Collegedale, Tenn., Church to participate in the 6th annual Think: Lead Middle School Leadership Conference. Nine schools across the Georgia-Cumberland Conference attended the event. The day was filled with worship, presenters, activities, and interactive games, all with the purpose to help the students recognize they are leaders for Christ.
The day began with Carole Verrill, Collegedale Church children’s pastor, challenging the students to think about being leaders for Christ. Devon Howard, D.M.A., worship coordinator for Collegedale Church, gave a presentation on the importance of leading music well for worship services. He also provided a demonstration with several instruments, including playing the church organ. Later, Rob Quigley, pediatric orthopedic surgeon from Erlanger Hospital, gave a presentation on the importance of leadership in his role. He shared his journey through life, from elementary school all the way to how he got to where he is now. Through his Christian example, every day he leads people in the hospital, his office, and in the operating room.
Between each of these presentations, several of the local youth pastors led interactive activities. By involving the students and teachers, they illustrated simple, fun ways leadership happens.
After they finished the morning session, the students ate their lunch together outside. This provided a special time for the students of all the schools to come and mingle with each other. Many of them enjoyed the time socializing and playing outdoor games before they headed back inside the church to finish the program. One teacher noted, “It is great to have all these schools eating and interacting together, especially since many will get to go to high school together later on.”
In the afternoon session, the students and teachers were challenged to think about how they could be leaders in their class, school, and community. Furthermore, they were asked to reflect on some of the obstacles which may cause them to turn away from being leaders. In response, several of the students shared different challenges they have faced or imagine facing. Kircio Mota, Collegedale Church youth pastor, who was facilitating the session, said, “It is our goal to help these students recognize the challenges of being leaders. In addition, we hope they will have the courage to work through them and accomplish what God is calling them to do.”
For the final challenge, Tabor Nudd, pastor, encouraged all the students not to focus on the obstacles, but to have the courage to lead. By using Jesus’ illustration on the wide and narrow gate and path in Matthew 7:13-14, he challenged all the students to have courage and lead others down the narrow path to Jesus, even if it is not the most popular way.
Geoff Starr, pastor, who helped with the conference each year, said, “I love seeing all the middle schoolers there, engaged, and thinking about leadership. It’s awesome to see how many young people come and get excited about the event. From the games that are played to the interactive speakers, it’s a powerful experience for adults and students.”
Georgia-Cumberland Conference | December 2025
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