More than sixty key teenagers came together at Covenant College for the annual Youth Christian Leadership (YXL) Conference, formerly known as Presbyterian Youth in America (PYA). Dean Conkel, former coordinator of youth ministries for Christian Education and Publications, led the conference. He was ably assisted by CE&P staff member Loren Easterling, Danny Mitchell, a student at Covenant Theological Seminary and Jonathan Jakes, a student at Covenant College.

Covenant College has been brought into the mix more definitely this year with the anticipation of using YXL to expose participants to Covenant College and to work with CE&P in reaching out to outstanding eleventh and twelfth graders in PCA churches. YXL focused on the topic of leadership from a “kingdom, world and life view perspective.” Chaplain Dave Peterson, the keynote speaker, challenged the group think about opportunities for biblical leadership in today’s world. Roy Heintz, Covenant College athletic director spoke on the leader’s heart and head. Dean Conkel led the studies centered on “The Fruit of the Spirit” in a leader’s life. Each day of the conference focused around the theme of thinking Christianly from a biblically Reformed world and life view.

Whether involved in plenary sessions, group studies, personal quiet time, witnessing in Chattanooga, or participating in the ropes course, the young people were urged to think God’s thoughts after him and continue to develop a Christian perspective on all of life. To quote Dennis Bennett, coordinator of training for CE&P, “The cream of the crop of the rising generation—these are the ones CE&P had the privilege of training this summer. These are the future leaders of our denomination and nation. Working together with Covenant College, participants were given opportunities to receive training in developing their God-given leadership qualities from a biblically Reformed world and life view.”

One suggestion in an evaluation by some of the participants was that more instruction in doctrine be included in future conferences. Another suggestion was that more time be given to expand upon the evaluation of each one’s gifts, strengths, weaknesses, etc.

Dean Conkel in expressing thanks on behalf of CE&P did not fail to include Third Lobby, a musical group from Covenant College, “for truly being used by the Lord to lead students and leaders of YXL into sweet and vibrant worship of the true and living God.” He also said in his expression of thanks, “to Charles Dunahoo and the CE&P staff for being sensitive to the Lord’s leading in having a leadership conference for high school students of the PCA that is unashamedly coming from a biblically Reformed world and life view perspective. The Lord has continued to give Charles a vision for this type of conference and I think there is much fruit to be seen from Charles’ obedience to carry out that vision and purpose of YXL through the CE&P staff and the YXL team.”

One highlight at the Friday night banquet was the announcement from Covenant College’s Wallace Anderson that Covenant would have scholarship assistance for any student from YXL that attends the college. The exact date of the July 2007 conference will be announced soon on the CE&P website.

A satellite conference of YXL, under the leadership of John Pickett, a PCA teaching elder and former leader of PYA has been held in Glorietta, New Mexico. This was the second year for that conference.

CE&P coordinator Charles Dunahoo states that the vision, hope, and prayer is that God will raise up a number of similar conferences across the country, sponsored by local churches and presbyteries, who will identify with the “kingdom world and life view perspective of YXL.”

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