Readers List: Memories of L2L
On Wednesdays, we usually share a list with you. Today we are doing things a little differently. We want YOU to share the list in the comments.
With the Lads to Leaders national convention this weekend, many are thinking back over past years and all the great things that they have seen. Some have memories of overcoming a fear or of learning a new talent. Others have a funny memory from the trip or a practice. Still others have a heart-warming story to tell.
Lads to Leaders provides great memories for young people and adults alike. We want you to share some of your memories in the comments. Maybe it will encourage someone to try L2L for the first time, or it might just get folks more excited about the convention this weekend.
I’ll share one of my many memories to get the list started:
Before we moved to Haleyville, I drove up to Nashville to “preview” Lads to Leaders. I knew it would be a huge part of my work at 9th Avenue, and I thought it might be good to see it first hand. Upon arrival, I wandered through the Opryland Hotel, without a clue as to where I was going. Finally, I saw a familiar face. It was Andy Kizer, the pulpit minister at 9th Avenue. As I got closer (he didn’t know I was walking up), he started beating his cell phone as he tried to reach someone. Finally, he saw me. His first words to me were, “You get to do this next year!”
He was right, and I wouldn’t change it for anything!
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Please leave your memories in the comments and help us form a great list!
One Comment
Gary Hogeland
Great idea Adam. The first time I attended convention was in 2000. I judged 3rd grade speech and was blown away by the little preachers in front of me. I knew right then that this was a special thing. I missed the next year because of work, but the next year I was actually working for the national office and helping to put the convention on. I learned so much about what it takes to put on an event like this. One of the key things is lots and lots of hard working, dedicated volunteers. We could not do this without them (actually, you since you lead the Friday night devo in Nashville). This year, we will have almost 18,000 people in five cities (six next year with the addition of Dallas). We have over 120 event coordinators and well over 7,000 adults who volunteer to serve as judges. May God continue to bless this wonderful organization that I am so blessed to be a part of.