March 17, 2004
Volume 2: Issue 3
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with Nikki Finch
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Tales From the Beltway:
Focusing on Your Resolve
With 2004 well underway, and March replacing thoughts of Christmas and New
Year with hopes of spring, many around this country have already settled
back into a pace of mediocrity - including forgetting any of the
resolutions they set for themselves not too long ago. As
Christians and student leaders, there are two very important things that
make it impossible for us to fall in line with the last statement.
First, the notion of “settling” should never be something we allow to be
part of our vocabulary. Leaders are those that see possibility where
others only see the impossible. Second, it is clear from my perspective
living here in the Nation's Capital that 2004 is going to be a critical
year for this country. All of the debates currently taking place
demonstrate that the country is embroiled in decisions that will have
Kingdom significance. Christians must resolve themselves to be engaged in
the process.
For instance, one of the exciting things that comes with coordinating
Student Leadership University 201 in Washington, DC is working with and
confirming the many distinguished speakers that spend time with our
students. Leaders such as Dr. Richard Land, Dr. Bob Reccord, Admiral Clark
in the Pentagon, and Congressman Tom Delay have started 2004 with a
resolve to use their leadership positions to make a positive impact for
the Kingdom.
I
received an encouraging letter from one of our SLU 201 speakers, Jim Towey,
Director of the White House Office of Faith Based and Community
Initiatives, regarding what he and the President resolved to do in 2004.
He said, “The President is embarking on a very ambitious faith-based
agenda in 2004. We consider this year to be one of great promise and
hope.” Director Towey went on to say that he sends greetings to the
Student Leadership University students as they gear up for their own
missions in their own communities.
So what can we take from the examples of our President, Director Towey,
and other leaders? We must focus on our own resolve. Watching the news,
knowing what the Bible says on critical issues, and finding ways to be
leaders in our own communities are all very important. Do not allow
yourself to be trivialized by forgetting the goals you set for yourself
for this year. Consider joining me in DC for SLU 201 this summer to learn
from the great leaders of our country how to resolve to make a difference!
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with
Luke Lin
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The issue of gay marriage has
certainly pervaded the news in recent days, and it has had its share of
conversation in schools, colleges, coffeehouses, and workplaces. What's
being done about gay marriage, and more importantly, what can you do about
the issue? As one of our featured articles this month highlights, our
President has conveyed his support of a constitutional amendment that
would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. I believe
one of the most important things you can actively do as you engage the
issue is to write to your local, state, and congressional representatives
and urge them to support the amendment.
However, the deeper issue
concerning gay marriage is this question: "Who is my neighbor?" While most
evangelical Christians would not support gay marriage, the attitude that
has been displayed towards gays, lesbians, transsexuals, and bisexuals has
been offensive. Our Lord expressed to his followers that the 2 most
important commandments were to love God with our entire beings, which
would be expressed in the second greatest commandment - to love our neighbor
as we love ourselves.
In order to be effective as
salt and light to our dark world, we need to remove the aura of homophobia
that encompasses our churches, our campuses, and our workplaces. The
church, for one, should be the most welcoming place for someone who
is gay and should provide an environment of genuine love, compassion, and
support, instead of shunning them away or immediately pointing out their
faults. Even our Lord associated himself with those of his day who were
rejected - the outcasts, the misfits, and the unloved.
If we are to be truly
effective as Christians, we must strive towards realizing who our
neighbors are, for we are to love them by serving them and by befriending
them instead of turning them away from the true source of eternal
happiness found in Christ alone. |
featuring Jeremy Roberts
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Student Leadership
University created a revolution in my life. After attending
SLU, I was given a vision to establish a Christian music video
television show. I was inspired when Dr. Jay said, “It is my
desire to enable this generation to discern beyond the glitter
of Hollywood and the removal of faith and family in the arts
and culture.”
I wanted to create
an alternative to the MTV lifestyle many students live by
today. The thought of an owner of a television station
actually hiring me to Host and Produce a music video show
seemed far-fetched, but SLU taught me to go for it. I kept
repeating what I learned at SLU, “You miss 100% of the shots
you don’t take.” –Wayne Gretzky.
I persistently
presented the idea to the Owner/CEO of Landmark Broadcasting,
Ltd and was hired as the Host and Producer of “Select Video”,
a show that aired in the Dallas/Ft. Worth television market
(the seventh largest television market in America) from
January 2001 through April 2002.
Currently, I am a
sophomore at Liberty University serving as the class
president. Through SLU, I began to hear the call of God
leading me into full-time vocational ministry. He has enabled
me to establish an evangelism ministry called
Jeremy Roberts Ministries and has provided amazing
opportunities such as serving on staff at Great Hills Baptist
Church, First Baptist Church Roanoke, VA, Jerry Falwell
Ministries, and this summer I will be Dr. Ronnie Floyd’s
personal assistant at First Baptist Church Springdale, AR and
The Church at Pinnacle Hills in Rogers, AR.
Dr. Jay has
been a mentor in life who can’t be replaced. His vision of SLU
has changed the face of how to mold and develop average
students into strong leaders. The revolution of SLU is getting
stronger. Hop on board if you want to go on the ride of your
life! |
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Youth Pastors!
Thank you for a successful 2004 Youth Pastors Summit and for
the feedback we have received. If you were not able to attend
this year's conference, or if you would like to be reminded of
all that you learned during the summit, you are able to order
copies of this year's messages from the Youth Pastors Summit
website.
Also, a note of
thanks to those of you who registered and who were interested
in registering for SLU 301 and 401. These sessions have
officially reached their capacities! If you were not able to
secure a spot for 301 or 401 this year, be sure to check back
with us this fall as we begin planning for next year's trips!
The Super Early
Bird Discount Deadline for SLU 101 and 201 has officially
expired, but you can still save huge on our regular prices by
calling in or going
online to register. Our toll-free number is 888.260.2900.
The weeks are filling up quickly, so be sure to secure your
place this summer for the nation's premiere Christian student
leadership program!
Also feel free
to call or e-mail us if you need any videos, brochures, or if
you have questions regarding any of our programs. We are
anticipating an incredible summer of leadership training, and
we look forward to having you join us!
To view past
editions of The Edge, check out our archive
here.
Questions or comments are always welcome. E-mail us at
edge@studentleadership.net
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March 2004
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On the
Edge
Nikki Finch,
Director of the SLU 201 programs, underscores the
importance of developing resolve in our personal
lives and shares some encouragement from the White
House. |
Edge Ledge
Your section
for culture and Christianity takes a look at the
issue of gay marriage. How should Christians
respond? |
Life on the Edge
Read the story
of an SLU alum who hosted and produced his own TV show! Have a
story? Send your story to us at
edge@studentleadership.net
This month, we feature Jeremy Roberts. |
Cutting Edge
What's up at SLU? Get the latest scoop on
what's happening here at Student Leadership University. |
Featured Articles
Check out the
featured articles of the month, including articles about
the gay marriage controversy and its significance
for individual families and the entire nation, along with
what you can do. |
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Follow the links for the
full article. |
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Question/Answer Session
about Gay Marriages
Are the gay marriages being
performed legal? Has this happened before? What about
other countries? ...
Read full article |
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Halting Gay Marriages
The push for gay
marriages actually has resulted in injustices against
Christians...
Read full article |
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Bush Backs Amendment
Find out why our President
backs a Constitutional Amendment for defining marriage...
Read full article |
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Gay Weddings in San
Francisco
Find our more about the gay
marriages observed in San Francisco...
Read full article |
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A Lawbreaking Epidemic
The epidemic of lawbreaking
in San Francisco as gay marriages took place demonstrate
that more is at stake than just the sanctity of marriage -
it's the future of our nation...
Read full article |
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Supporting the Marriage
Amendment
Find out why supporting the
marriage amendment is so crucial and what implications
there are for families...
Read full article |
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"Moral relativism
has set in so deeply that the gilded classes have become
incapable of discerning right from wrong. Everything can
be explained away, especially by journalists. Life is
one great moral must - sophistry washed down with
Chardonnay."
-Dombay and Son,
Ch. XXIII
Charles Dickens
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"Morality without religion is
only a kind of dead reckoning, an endeavor to find our place on
a cloudy sea by measuring the distance we have run, but without
any observation of the heavenly bodies."
-Kavanagh, Ch. XIII
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
"Evangelical faith without
Christian ethics is a travesty on the gospel."
V. Raymond Edman |
"There is a way that seems right
to a man, but in the end it leads to death."
Romans 12:1 NIV |
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We want to hear from you! Do you
have a thoughtful response to the articles here? Have you
written a paper on one of the issues we're discussing this month
or have discussed? Send it to us at
edge@studentleadership.net |
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Established in 1994, Student Leadership University's
purpose is to empower students to conquer the future!
Combining hands-on experimental learning with a dynamic
classroom setting, students are equipped to influence
their generation for Christ with confidence.
For more information, visit us at
www.studentleadership.net or call us toll-free at
888-260-2900.
Edge Executive Editor:
Chris Crowe
Edge Associate Editor:
Luke Lin
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