Be Strong and Courageous!

Students from all over Europe, from Kazakhstan to the Netherlands and Finland, and everything in between, gathered at Zichy-Vajta Castle, spending four days focused on learning how to be leaders for Christ in their schools. The conference gave these young leaders space, resources, and community to grow in their faith, build their leadership skills, and worship alongside like-minded students.

I think the biggest highlight is meeting other people from schools that are different from ours, who also want to follow Christ. 

Mr. Dan Culbertson, ICSB Chaplain

This year's theme, Be Strong and Courageous, invited students to consider what it means to lead with courage and confidence in a world often marked by confusion, fear, and compromise. Together, they studied leadership that is rooted in God's truth, guided by His Word, trusting in His presence and promises, and empowered by His Spirit. 

 

 

Several current and Forever Bulldogs were among those serving at the conference.

 

 

Ms. Roslyn Barnes, who leads curriculum and professional development at ICSB and serves as a consultant with ACSI Europe, was one of this year's speakers, alongside former ICSB Chaplain, Dr. Dan Bishop. 

 

 

Additionally, ICSB Alum Mr. Jonathan Lingenhoel and his wife, Ms. Meagan Lingenhoel, led worship throughout the weekend. 

 

 

The days were filled with main sessions of worship and teaching, a wide range of workshops, games, and activities to encourage interaction between schools, and daily discussion groups by grade level, where they explored the foundations of biblical leadership and the character qualities on which to build it. Several older students served as discussion group leaders for their peers or younger age groups. 

 

 

Each evening closed with a school debrief, giving our Bulldogs space to reflect together on what God was teaching them.

 

 

The conference ended with a final time of worship and a closing challenge to carry what they had learned back home. We are grateful to ACSI for organizing the conference, our chaperones for investing their time, and our student leaders for their commitment to growing in biblical leadership.

Our students came away learning quite a few more Dutch words, German words, but mostly with the sense that they're a part of something that's really, really big, that's not just limited to Diósd or Hungary, or to our one little school, but that God is doing all across Europe in the lives of young people. 

Mr. Dan Culbertson, ICSB Chaplain

We can't wait to see how our students continue to lead with courage here at ICSB and wherever God calls them next.

 

 

Finally, we are grateful to the LORD for what he is doing in schools across the continent, and for his promises and his presence that is with us and goes before us. 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9