Current Students
2011 Students
The students are what makes the School for Youth Leadership a distinctive experience each year. No two years are the same at the School. This year we have 10 passionate adults from Australia and South Africa. They are committed to God and growing into the people He has made them to be.
Name: Jordanlee Kuiper
From: Gosford
Age: 21
Why I came to the School: To place myself in a new environment, give myself the opportunity for a whole new experience. To separate myself from all I knew to give God the full advantage of emptying me and begin to remould me, from the inside out.
What I'm expecting from this year: A whole new experience of life and a clear direction as to where God wants me to go next year.
The best part so far: Sneeking into the local caravan park and jumping on the inflatable pillow (trampoline) for group time!
Name: Tamara Lloyd
From: Shellharbour
Age: 17, nearly 18
Why I came to the School: I came because I wanted to give a "whole" year for the Lord.
What I'm expecting from this year: I'm expecting to have the year of a lifetime with all my awesome new friends.
The best part so far: Meeting Shaun, nah, being with these awesome Christian people. I love them all so much!
Name: Tamika Pashley
From: Bundaberg
Age: 17
Why I came to the School: To grow and become me.
What I'm expecting this year: To be 100% myself with God
The best part so far: When Nioami cut her finger... not to forget my roomy Mara!
Name: Simon Hungerford
From: Long Jetty
Age: 26
Why I came to the School: I came to the School because I know that my life needed a change in direction and i felt God calling me to the School. So here I am being equipped to do God's work because God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. And I'm here to discover more about myself.
What I'm expecting from this year: To go deeper in my relationship with God and to learn how to pray, read and meditate on the Bible better, how to be a leader and discover who I am.
The best part so far: Making new friends, getting into healthy lifestyle habits and discovering more about God and myself.
Name: Melinda Kasuso
From: Port Elizabeth Central, South Africa
Age: 22
Why I came to the School: To get equipped Christianity-wise and to also share with other youths how it's affecting me to see other youths of my age so lost. Also to seek God's face.
What I'm expecting from this year: To grow more spiritually. To be able to draw youths like me closer to God. Also to be able to know what God wants me to really do.
The best part so far: When we prayed for a student's family. Wow. I really felt God speaking to me in so many ways. Also, Quiet Time (1 hour each morning), I really love it's just the best. I have so many best parts but for now I will stick to those two.
Name: Dani Weedon
From: Newcastle
Age: 20
Why I came to the School: I came to the School because I was following God's will. It took me a while to listen but eventually I knew the School is where God wanted me.
What I'm expecting from this year: Great things! I know God is going to use this year to shape me, change me, stretch me and test me. I'm also expecting to make some pretty good friends.
The best part so far: The amount of time we get to spend with God each day. Back home I often made excuses to not hang out with God, now I can't get enough.
Name: Shaun Baillie
From: Bundaberg
Age: 17
Why I came to the School: I came to the School because I felt God calling me.
What I'm expecting from this year: I am expecting to further my relationship with God and to improve on my gifts.
The best part so far: Coming here and meeting all the other students and getting to know them.
Name: Samantha Searle
From: Wollongong
Age: 18
Why I came to the School: I heard about the School a few years ago and was interested but I only realised at the beginning of last year that God was calling me to come. He asked me to give Him a year of my life to follow Him so after much procrastinating that's what I did.
What I'm expecting from this year: I hope to grow deeper in my relationship with God. To develop good devotion habits and to learn more about the exciting plan God has for my life.
The best part so far: I can't really pinpoint one specific part. The whole experience has been amazing. Just hanging out and doing life with the group has been awesome and so much fun. I can't wait to see how God works through us this year.
Name: Michael Moore
From: Maryborough
Age: 18
Why I came to the School: I guess my honest reason for coming to the School was not only that I felt led to come here, but also to get away in a spiritual sense. I knew personally that I needed a change. So when I heard about the School, I knew it would be where I am going.
What I'm expecting from this year: I don't have expectations, I have hope, that I will grow spiritually and emotionally stronger. I want to grow closer with God, and it's only been 3 weeks and I feel closer already.
The best part so far: Everything and everyone. I feel for the first time in my life I can feel free to be myself without ever being judged.
Name: Nioami Creeley
From: Lithgow
Age: 19
Why I came to the School: I came to the School so I could strengthen my relationship with God and to gain more knowledge on His word so I can share with many others and make a difference.
What I'm expecting from this year: To grow stronger as a Christian so I can go out into the churches and community and minister to those who seek God's love so much but don't know where to start. I want to gain the knowledge so I can help them find God.
The best part so far: The best part so far for me would be living together in a community based environment where I feel at home. I think it's the beginning of such an amazing journey for me- it's been amazing so far.
The School is a launching pad into the rest of your life -
when you graduate the next step is up to you and God!
Many of the School for Youth Leadership students have
gone on to work in ministry full time and to be officers in the Salvation Army.
Whilst other students have gone on to be actively involved in their corps
and be successful in the careers God has led them to.
Whatever happens in the years after the School, the foundation has been put into place.
A foundation of discipleship- knowing God and knowing yourself.
