A MENTOR TOOK THE LEAD TO CHANGE SADE'S LIFE. NOW SADE IS LEADING CHANGE IN OTHER LIVES.

18 year-old Sade Bluitt has been interning at Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Spark Summer Leadership Camp for free this summer. As a middle child within a family of six children and raised by a single parent, Sade understands what it means to share and to serve. Coincidentally, although she is unfamiliar with her namesake, famous singer “Sade,” she has similar class and charm. And, as a recent graduate from Cornerstone Crossroads Academy, she is poised for success as an up and coming leader.

With humility, Sade credits the adult leaders serving within Dallas Leadership Foundation’s Youth Leadership Movement (YLM) and its’ annual Spark Summer Leadership Camp with helping her develop as a leader. She attended the camp for two summers consecutively as a high school freshman and sophomore. During that time, she learned about videography, participated in the talent shows, wrote song lyrics, and grew spiritually.  With a strong spiritual thirst, she stated, “I like to learn about God, I like to learn about God in music, and everything related to God…”

The impact made on Sade at the camp resulted in a mentor-mentee relationship with Mr. Adrian McConnell, one of the main youth leaders at the camp.

Taking her under his wing during the school year, Mr. McConnell involved Sade in the YLM’s Power Lunch program as a leader this past school year. Power Lunch is our high school program for teens using a life-skills curriculum facilitated during lunchtime. Students attend voluntarily and receive hot pizza as they listen to facilitators and discuss topics. As a student herself, Sade willingly volunteered to help her classmates during their lunchtimes.

As a senior, Sade was well rounded with her favorite high school subjects being math, art, and music. She also played the clarinet in the school’s marching band. Somehow, in addition to keeping her grades up and volunteering, she also managed to prepare for a nursing career. So when she graduated with her high school diploma this past May, she also received her certified nursing assistant (CNA) credential.  Sade will attend college this fall, and then nursing school, to ultimately become a registered nurse (RN). Without a doubt, she will continue to lead by serving others. A young leader positioned for great success!

Expect the Unexpected

Wow, it doesn’t seem like it’s possible but 1 year ago I was in New York anxiously awaiting to figure out what it was that I was getting into. I was about to meet other young adults who had the same passion and desire as I did, a passion and desire to serve God and enter into ministry. 3 weeks of training went by and we were commissioned as the class of 2013 and now it’s mid July 2014, which means, I have been serving with the Dallas Leadership Foundation in Dallas, TX for almost a year now (later blog to come as to what’s happened in the year since I have been in Texas). Yeah, coming to Texas was never on my radar until God placed the opportunity in front of me and decided to send me to Texas, so you can definitely say that it was the unexpected.

It seems to me like that’s how God is, He is always full of surprises and when you think you have life figured out, He will toss you a curve ball that you never expected. Expect the unexpected and expect great things from God.

Now that I am almost 1 year into my ministry assignment, I am finding myself wondering, “what’s next?” even though I still have a year left where I am. While I may not know all the answers and I may not currently know what’s next, I do realize that God is putting things on my mind as to what may possibly be next and all I can say right now is that it truly is the “unexpected” since one possible path is one that I have been saying “no” to since I started this ministry journey but lately, God has been stirring things inside me which may change that “no” to a “yes”.

So, expect the unexpected when God's involved in the picture and expect great things from God since His plan is always great and while we may not see the bigger picture, He will reveal to us just the right amount that we need to see and place us where we need to be.

- Hayley Terrell, DLF Intern

The Power of Unity

There is something amazing that occurs when people unite. It is a chemical reaction between people and life experiences that creates the product of hope. Celebration of Hope, hosted annually by Dallas Leadership Foundation, was nothing less. They unite with partners from around the city and together they bring hope to the less fortunate in the city. But, this event not only blesses the less fortunate but it also blesses the volunteers as well, making the event even more powerful. 

Before the sun was up and the city was awake, Dallas residents joined Dallas Leadership Foundation in setting up tables, signs, and tools. Then at 7 am, the volunteers began to arrive. Although it was early in the morning, the atmosphere was joyful. You could feel the positive energy from everyone. After the volunteers registered, they were given a substantial breakfast consisting of bagels, yogurt, and fruit. Then, everyone circled up for a word of prayer. To those in the circle it was a simple prayer. But, to those who witnessed it from the outside, it was a circle of unity between all races, all ages, and both sexes. It is  truly refreshing to be reminded of our true purpose, and what we as people have in common. To be reminded that there is more to life than what we know, ‘or what we think we know.'

After the circle up, everyone met up with their leaders to begin their day of work. The day went by peacefully and swiftly. Everyone worked cooperatively with each other. But, most importantly our event brought hope and love to others.

It is amazing what we can do in this day and age. When so many things go wrong and so many people are filled with despair from warfare, poverty, sickness, and personal esteem. We may not have healed the entire world with our works that Saturday, but we believe that Jesus has a plan for the future of this world and that we can help one person at a time. Jesus is what we have to hope for, and Jesus is who we work for.

Be blessed.

- Guest blogger Allison Hall