The Student Leadership Institute at Crossings Christian School’s mission is to assist young people in the development of their leadership philosophy and skills by exposing them to a biblically-based, practical, multifaceted year-long program.

Students are trained in the biblical model and definition of leadership with a core emphasis on three operating principles. This model, founded from God’s Word, focuses on individual and institutional commitments to becoming selfless and other-centered. It is the Institute’s goal that students connect these principles to their campus, community, and church. Students are challenged to become more like Christ as they strive for a higher level of leadership training.

"Leadership is not something you do to people. It’s something you do with people."
- Ken Blanchard,
Leadership and the One Minute Manager

The four components that comprise the Institute focus on key characteristics of Jesus’ leadership. The impact from the Institute is designed to affect both the individual and their sphere of influence. There are very few schools, if any, which have taken leadership training to this level. Realizing that most students are extremely busy with extracurricular and church commitments, the Student Leadership Institute takes place primarily during regularly scheduled school hours.

1. The Biblical Principle of Serving Others
Jesus modeled the principle of focusing less on Himself and more on others. This principle will present the case that biblical leadership is fully realized when one becomes a servant. Mentoring, discipleship, and evangelism will be natural when one truly devotes his life to serving others.

2. The Biblical Principle of Evangelism
Jesus instructed His leaders to share the good news of salvation. Active participation in Kingdom work includes a strong commitment to share the gospel with others. This principle will focus on lifestyle evangelism.

3. The Biblical Principle of Serving in a Local Body of Believers
The body, or church, reaches maximum potential when the individuals become one body. Utilizing one’s spiritual gifts within the framework of the local church is God’s design. This principle will focus on serving Christ in the church.

"There is an enormous difference between growing old in the Lord and growing up in Him. One is automatic and requires no effort at all…just aging. But the other is never automatic, or easy. It calls for personal discipline, continued determination, and spiritual desire. Churches are full of sleeping saints who are merely ‘logging time’ in God’s family."

- Chuck Swindoll