Gatlinburg Retreat Inspires SLA Students to Lead with Christ-Centered Confidence

By Ella Weathers, Shield Editor, and Shield Staff 

Members of NRCA’s high school Student Leadership Academy (SLA) recently traveled to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, for a weekend retreat hosted by Crossroads Winter Conference, a Clayton King Ministries event. The conference provided students with an opportunity to get away from daily routines to be engaged in their faith, develop leadership skills, and enjoy community with other believers. 

When the students arrived, the weekend started off with moments of connection and spiritual growth. “I loved the trip. I really felt like I experienced the Lord multiple times throughout the weekend,” said senior Emily Gomez. 

Outside the conference sessions, students spent time exploring Gatlinburg, building friendships, sharing meals, and making great memories. “My friends and I spent a lot of time walking around, eating, and having lots of fun,” Gomez said. The trip provided a great balance of spiritual growth and meaningful fellowship. 

One of the most powerful aspects of the retreat was worship. Students gathered for sessions that encouraged growth, reflection, and praise. “My favorite memory would probably be all of the worship,” Gomez shared. “The band was so amazing and really powerful, and I loved being able to go to the front and worship God [during the worship sessions].”  

In addition to worship, students heard messages from various speakers throughout the weekend. Gomez recalled a message that stood out to her in particular. “I really enjoyed Shaq Hardy’s message. It was about how we were named before we ever behaved.” The message encouraged students to see their identity rooted in Christ rather than focusing on their performance or past mistakes. 

Beyond spiritual reflection, the retreat also focused heavily on leadership. “I felt very impacted as a leader,” Gomez explained. “The messages helped me learn how to spiritually lead before going to college and how to be prepared for real-life circumstances where I will be called to lead.”  

NRCA’s Student Leadership Academy gives middle (grades 7-8) and high school (grades 9-12) students the opportunity to discover and grow their leadership skills so that when they graduate from NRCA, they will be prepared to step into leadership roles in college, on the job, in their community, and in the church. The annual winter retreat is open to SLA members in the high school division. Gomez said, “I highly recommend going on this trip. It has been such a big and influential part of my high school experience.”