In the summer of 2004, I attended a program that changed my life: Student Leadership University. Designed for teenagers, SLU equips young leaders to think deeply, dream boldly, and lead courageously. It helps students develop a Biblical worldview, navigate tough decisions with character, and understand that true influence starts with serving others.
There are only a handful of moments from my teenage years that I can point to and say, “That moment changed everything.” SLU was one of them. The lessons I learned, the relationships I built, and the decisions I made during that week shaped the person I am today.
Because of SLU, I became a youth pastor. I joined the U.S. Army. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in biblical and theological studies and a Master of Divinity in leadership. SLU even influenced the kind of husband, father, and man I am today. That week was a catalyst—a spark that ignited my future thinking and shaped the way I see the world.
Since then, I’ve read over 300 books on leadership. I’ve devoured everything I can find—authors I agree with and, just as importantly, authors I don’t. I’ve read about theology, philosophy, politics, and worldviews, because understanding different perspectives sharpens my thinking and broadens my understanding of leadership.
One of the most memorable talks I ever heard at SLU came from Pat Williams, a longtime speaker for the program who unfortunately passed away in July 2024. For nearly 30 years, he spoke passionately about the importance of reading, often proclaiming, “Leaders are readers!” His advice stuck with me: if you read five books on a specific subject, you can become a world-leading authority on it. For instance, reading five books on World War II might not make you an expert on the entire war, but reading five books about the attack on Pearl Harbor could make you a leading authority on that specific event.
Over the years, I’d like to think I’ve become a leading authority on leadership—its styles, challenges, and nuances. But one truth stands out above all:
Leadership doesn’t begin with ambition, strategy, or charisma. It begins with surrender.
At SLU, Vice President Brent Crowe put it best: “Leadership begins at the feet of Jesus.” That simple phrase became the battle cry of their organization—and it has stuck with me ever since. True leadership starts and ends at the feet of Jesus.
So, what does that mean?
It means leadership begins with surrender:
Surrendering Pride – Letting go of the need to have all the answers.
Surrendering Control – Trusting God with the outcomes, even when they don’t match your plans.
Surrendering Time – Prioritizing moments in prayer and worship to stay spiritually fueled.
Surrendering Approval – Leading for God’s glory, not for applause.
Surrendering Comfort – Stepping into challenges that push you beyond your limits.
Surrendering Ambition – Shifting from personal success to empowering others.
Surrendering Fear – Trusting God to equip you, even when you feel inadequate.
Surrendering Relationships – Allowing God to guide how you love and lead others.
Surrendering Your Vision – Aligning your dreams with God’s plans, even if He takes you on unexpected detours.
Over the next nine weeks, I’ll dive into each of these areas of surrender and explore how they’re essential to becoming a leader who begins and ends at the feet of Jesus. Together, we’ll learn how surrender isn’t weakness—it’s the foundation of servant leadership.
As William Booth, who founded the Salvation Army once said, “The greatness of a man’s power is the measure of his surrender.” Surrender gets a bad rap in today’s world, but it’s the heart of servant leadership. My hope is that through this journey, we’ll discover how surrender transforms us into leaders who care more about others than ourselves—and ultimately reflect the character of Christ.
Let’s take this journey together. Leadership starts here.
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