This past April 3-4, our family made the trip to the Hilton Anatole in Dallas for the North Texas Leadership Training for Christ convention. The theme this year was “We Will Serve The Lord,” and it was a very encouraging weekend.

Alice participated in Drama, Puppets, Choir, Bible Reading, and Speech. She was the only one from our group who attempted Speech. Despite her nerves, she stepped up and delivered a message she had written entirely on her own.

Her speech was about the hard decisions we face when choosing to serve the Lord, especially when no one is watching. She used the story of Achan from Joshua 7 as her example, a man who, in a moment when he thought no one could see, chose to take what God had set apart. Serving God is not just about what we do on Sunday mornings, but about the choices we make in the quiet moments. I was so proud of her.

Alice also loved seeing so many young people from churches across Texas in one place, and getting to spend more time with friends from our own congregation.

It was a meaningful weekend for me too. I ran into David Pounds, a college minister and personal mentor during my years at Lubbock Christian University. It had been many years since we last saw each other, and reconnecting was one of those unexpected blessings that makes these trips richer.

Both Alice and Theo came home excited, already looking forward to next year. Theo will be old enough to participate due to his grade level, and he can hardly wait.

We are grateful for programs like LTC that give our kids a chance to develop their gifts in an environment built on faith.