CBC Represented at Arkansas Student Leadership Forum

By Emma Love, CBC Student

I was blessed to have been chosen by one of my professors to attend the Arkansas Student Leadership Forum (ASLF) Sept. 26-28. Alongside me were four other Central Baptist College (CBC) students attending this conference as CBC representatives. It was the most amazing experience. I have attended other leadership conferences, but this one was unlike any other because the content was about how to be leaders in our communities as believers.

Justin Earley, an incredible author and lawyer out of Richmond, Va., was a wonderful speaker. He taught three separate sessions:

• How to Lead Yourself,

• How to Lead Others and

• How to Lead Our Organizations.

What I took away from these sessions is that whether you’re pouring into yourself, your friendships or your community, the Lord needs to be the center of it all for you to be truly fulfilled and to succeed.

All students were divided into small groups so we could get to know students from different backgrounds and colleges. I loved being surrounded by ambitious people who have big dreams while trying to pursue God’s plans for their lives. In these small groups, we explored our testimonies and how to use our stories to glorify Jesus in our community.

Student Kylie German shared her experience with the small groups, saying, “I loved getting to know a bunch of people from different colleges and being able to branch out. I learned that there are so many other perspectives about what leadership means to people and how I can apply those perspectives to my own life.”

On the second day of the conference, we had sessions in the morning, ate an amazing catered lunch and went to the Governor’s Mansion in the afternoon. We heard a word of encouragement from Governor Sanders and had a Q&A Panel session with leaders in the community. It was truly an amazing experience.

“The Governor’s Mansion was nothing short of beautiful. It offers a spectacular design followed by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Not only were we able to hear a few great words from the governor herself but also four great panelists,” said CBC Student Dalton Alexander III.

We finished the night with dinner with our small groups as we were welcomed into homes by families in the community. It was a touching night as we shared a sweet time together, growing as leaders and friends in a home with a home-cooked meal. We heard from a second group of panelists on the third and final day.

“It was impressive and very interesting to listen to all these great leaders who, regardless of the field in which they work, all strive daily to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, and it is demonstrated in their successful lives. This experience left me with new ways of seeing life, and I hope to be able to contribute and help many more people along the way,” said CBC Student Manuela Cruz Hernandez.

The day ended with breakfast, a group session and a time to share what we had learned from this experience. It changed my perspective on leadership and helped advance it with a Christian worldview.

To conclude, CBC Senior Eden Brister shared, “ASLF was an absolutely amazing experience! Gathering with other student leaders from other colleges and universities with the same mindset as me was extremely encouraging! Learning about the leadership principles of Jesus and having the opportunity to meet amazing Christian leaders in the community and ask them questions was an experience I definitely will not forget!”