30 Years of Testimony Highlights
​Real Testimonies from Real Students & Sponsors 

After each conference for 30 years, students and sponsors are asked to write out a testimony about how God used the conference in their lives. We are thankful to have literally over 30,000 of these testimonies. Amazing.  We have tried to collect some highlights from the archives for you to see, read, and rejoice with us as you see how God has used the conferences to shape student leaders helping them transform from merely good students to godly students. 

Through this leadership conference God has shown that I need to improve drastically.  I would stand by while rude and disgusting jokes were told.  I wasn’t giving my whole life to God, just the parts that were convenient.  With God’s help I can do all this and more.  I am also really grateful for the school strategy sessions.  Our junior and senior class needs help.  This conference has provided us a base for join leadership.  Thank you.  Student, Kansas- 1996

I have felt that this conference is and will always be one of the greatest memories of my life.  I want to start off by saying first and most important I was saved!  I took the Lord as my Savior and he forgave me for my sins!  I learned a lot about the Lord, my faith, and about the people I’m around daily.  I met a lot of new people and new faces, and I learned a lot from them.  Student, Missouri-1996
 
This was my first time to attend a Student Leadership Conference.  I was honestly very impressed by the entire program and was blessed by the preaching and teaching.  I particularly liked the way the young people were encouraged to get involved—singing, strategy sessions, etc.  Another plus—the spirit in the camp.  In my humble opinion, this was truly one of the best conferences I have seen for young people.  Pastor, Texas-2000
 
It is impossible to express how my heart feels.  This past week at leadership training was possibly “the best week of my life!”  I got a new lease on my dealing with the lives of young people.  God bless you for coming up with this idea, it will forever change my life and my ministry.  Administrator, Arkansas-2004
 
The Lord really touched in areas in my life that I need to work on.  I need to be more obsessed with God.  I need to be a leader.  Conformity is an area in my life that I need to work on.  I need to stand up for what I believe and not go with someone to fit in.  I need to watch out for the Biblical principles shared and be aware of things that are going on around my school, home, church.  I also need to be more responsible.  Student, New Hampshire-2006
 
I made a commitment about my casualness for spiritual things and made a commitment about not being concerned with friends and clothes but showing true leadership in my relationship with the Lord.  With God’s help, I would like to pray for my school and show them by my testimony that God is the most important concern in my life.  Student, Colorado-2008

 
I had a great time at this Student Leadership Conference.  I had so many doubts about coming, but I am glad I did.  I’ve learned so many important lessons on how to be the right kind of leader.  I feel more confident about going back to school because I know the right things to say and do.  Student, West Virginia-2010
 
Well the Lord really spoke to me about being a good godly example.  There are so many chances in a day for us to make right decisions and we don’t.  We just do what everyone else does because that’s what is easy.  What really stood out to me is that we can allow our friends chances to make right decisions just by making right decisions myself.  Student, Michigan-2013
 
During our discussion time one of the questions was “Write a definition of a biblical leader in our own words, using the following passages…”Before I had always thought of a person with a servant’s heart when I heard the words biblical leadership, but as the day went on I found a new definition.  “Biblical leadership: one who doesn’t boast/brag about all of the things he has done for others.  Uplifting your peers in every aspect of life, offering corrective criticism and a Christ-minded spirit.”  Student, Indiana-2014
 
Even if you hold a higher position, you can still serve others.  There are people all around me that are struggling or need help, and I don’t realize it.  I can show true leadership by talking to them and helping them in any way possible.  Also, others look up to me and I need to be the right influence.  Student, Virginia-2015
 
I have a desire to love God and serve God, but frankly I’m too lazy to fuel that desire inside me. I was convicted today that if I want to be an effective leader and influence, I need to daily be in God’s word. I’ve been trying to live godly for the approval of man and not for God. I need a revision of motive and dive into God’s word and let my words and actions speak for themselves based on what I know about my God through my daily time in the Bible.  Student, New York-2015
 
During this time I have gained a better understanding for what it means to do right. Also, the 10 principles that Mr. Williams taught us was definitely the highlight for me. I am going to keep this booklet and I plan to live better for God with help from these principles. I hope I become a better leader for my high school and also college next year.  Student, Oregon-2015
 
God spoke to me about being the right type of friend. I’ve been struggling with the problem of following the crowd to be accepted, but God spoke to me on being a right friend, to step out of my comfort zone.  Student, Alabama-2015
 
I feel like the Lord has helped me to see not only a better way to love God and others but why it is so important. Today’s conference helped me to examine myself to see if I’m being a biblical leader and a loving friend. There are people all around me that need love and need maybe some things I can’t give them – but God can. So we should all be aware of the needs of others and point each person to the ultimate remedy – Jesus Christ.  Student, Illinois-2015
 
This conference was really challenging. I didn’t even want to come when I found out that none of my friends were coming, but then I came here, and he talked about the whole “Silence can mean approval” I realized that that’s me. I hear people swearing and carrying on about stupid things and I don’t say a word. I was really convicted. Thanks.  Student, Pennsylvania-2015
 
I have been influenced by those around me and have kind of been letting time go by without having an impact. I know what’s right and I’ve wanted to do it, but I always look for my friend’s approval first and see what they are doing. Now, I am going to live completely dedicated to serving God and only looking to please Him. Also, I want to include God and His Word in my relationships.  Student, New Mexico-2016
 
I need to give my teens more opportunities to serve. I also need to work on being a better leader. I understand all the principles but should study more closely and ask God to help me in areas I’m weak. I also need to examine my priorities and bring them in line with His priorities.  Sponsor, Minnesota-2016

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The Lord taught me that being a leader requires an incredible amount of humbleness.  Humbleness in standing up for what is right and being the “odd one out.”  But, being different is being distinct.  This conference taught me that girls need just as much leadership as guys, so for me to take initiative, speak up, and have an impact for Christ.  Thank you for everything!  Student

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The biggest thing that stuck out to me was during the strategy times.  Our school sometimes seems like nobody cares about improving but it was evident during the discussions that they are also looking to make DCA better.   It was really nice to finally get on the same page with everybody.  Student​
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The Lord taught me to follow His word and to do your best.  I also learned that I need to be careful for whom I’m friends with and with whom I meet.  The Lord spoke to us through this conference and I am thankful, still thankful, that Jesus, God’s Son, died for me.  Student, Wisconsin-2016
 
This conference took me back to my high school experience (at a Christian School) and how these things were the culture and fabric of our school.  It challenged me to reconnect with my desire to serve God in all things.  Thank you for this “refresher”.  Sponsor, Wisconsin-2017

I learned that my influence matters.  I have to write a paper on leadership for school and I will definitely use the things I learned today about influence and leadership.  I am now also considering a Christian college.  I wasn’t before but this gave me a better idea of what is available.   Student, New England-2017
 
I learned that I need to show Gods love through my actions and I need to stay off the fence.  I need to stay strong in the Lord, I need to be an example.  I need to have a good attitude toward my sisters.  Thank you.  The conference was wonderful.  Student, Nebraska-2018
 
I have a problem of not trusting God in my life and the future, but I don’t control my life or how it goes, only God does.  So I’ve decided to work on my relationship with Him.  And I know that my actions speak louder than words, so I need to keep myself in check because I am considered a leader and I would like to be known for being a kind leader.  Student, New Jersey-2018
 
To truly decide to live in the light.  I’ve been living on the fence.  Even though I’ve been in church and a Christian school all my life I haven’t been fully committed in my faith.  In my heart selfishness has been sitting on the throne.  This conference illuminated my lifestyle and I’m thankful for that.  This past year I’ve not been as fully devoted to Him as I wanted to.  Now I know where to start.  Student, Florida-2019
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I’ve learned so many important lessons on how to be the right kind of leader.  I feel more confident about going back to school because I know the right things to say and do. ​

What spoke to me are the traits of a leader.  You don’t have to necessarily have a power position to do what’s right.  You have influence no matter where you go in life.  And wherever you go, there is light or darkness and you have to choose to be the one to light the darkness.  Student, South Carolina-2019
 
He has taught me to make decisions that will best benefit my faith.  I go to a public school and was able to come here with my church.  I’ve been having to make hard decisions about schooling (high school, and college) as far as whether a Christian school or public school, and I believe through these past 3 days, I think God has given me His answer, that I should go somewhere that will help me to grow in Him.  Student, West Virginia-2019

I loved the theme of the conference – Light.  I really appreciate the follow up book, poster, even the flashlight reminder of being light.  Sponsor, Pennsylvania-2019 
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With my living situation (homeschooled, only child) I don’t have an available accountability partner.  Coming here today showed me how much busier I could be for the Lord.  Being surrounded by people makes me nervous, but today the Lord worked through others to show me being around friendly, godly people is not a hardship, but will help me further my relationship with Christ.  This wasn’t well articulated, but I hope it made sense enough.  Student, Connecticut-2019
 
The Lord showed me that I really have some serious sin in my life that I need to get rid of.  The passage, John 12:46 really spoke to me.  Since I am a believer I should not be living in my old ways, rather I should be turning away and strengthening my faith in a way that would impact others.  Student, New Hampshire-2019
 
As an administrator/teacher I was reminded that our students are in a battle to choose light over darkness.  I also saw that we need to do something more to encourage our students to seriously consider Christian colleges.  Sponsor, Indiana-2019
 
Something that really impacted me, after so many years being a leader, was the difference between the “Ruler” leader and the “Biblical” leader.  Definitely I learned how to be a better impact in my students, school, community, church and the world.  Sponsor, Wisconsin-2019