Cornerstone Students Gain New Leadership Experience During Summer Training

With the 2024-25 academic year set to launch in 47 days, Cornerstone University invests in its student leaders as they prepare to be Christian influencers on campus and beyond the classroom. From vision trips and national conferences across the country to service learning and international ministry experiences at locations around the world, Cornerstone students expand their leadership skills and capabilities for one purpose: to bring glory to Jesus Christ.

“When a Cornerstone student learns more about how to lead, they learn more about who is leading them,” shared Tate Radaz, director of chapel ministries & spiritual formation. “Jesus Christ is our Savior, Friend, King and Perfect Leader. I am passionate about equipping our students because it means that not only will they, by God’s grace, be able to bless the world as Christian leaders, but they will also draw nearer to Jesus Christ in the process.”

Aaron Sagraves, director of athletics and a staff leader for the CU Athletics discipleship retreat, said: “Every year, this opportunity to be with our student-athletes and coaches away from the day-to-day activities is a blessing. To hear from the student-athletes about their passions and desires to serve and love as Jesus has asked them to and then to see it played out with each other and ultimately back on campus and in our community is special!”

As you pray for Cornerstone, please pray for safety as hundreds of student leaders travel, learn, and build relationships together in preparation for serving and promoting flourishing among the entire campus community this year. Below is an overview of a few of the trips occurring this summer.

Sixteen student-athletes will head to the Gainey Ranch in Montana in mid-July for CU Athletics’ annual discipleship and leadership retreat. Many of the student leader participants will serve on the Student Athlete Leadership Team (SALT), and the group looks forward to pouring into one another and planning for the year ahead as a leadership team. During this time away from campus, students learn about their individual walks with Jesus while developing community and building authenticity, enabling them to return to their teams and make a great impact in the year ahead.

Community Life and two faculty members will mentor 13 students on an outdoor leadership trek in Cody, Wyoming, near the foothills of Yellowstone National Park. Utilizing the beauty of God’s creation to practice and reflect new leadership skills, the week will feature devotionals that focus on leadership themes and integrate those approaches through all outdoor activities. As a result, this experience cultivates a Christian community that uplifts, develops, and equips Cornerstone students to lead well in the coming years.

Cornerstone Global Outreach trips invite students to learn about cultures around the world while serving alongside local ministry partners. Currently, a Global Outreach team led by Dr. Kevin Hall, associate vice president for Spiritual Formation & Christian Community, an upperclassman, and a 2023 alumna who works as an assistant resident director for Spiritual Life & Christian Community is ministering in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during a two-week mission trip. Volunteers are helping lead a VBS for children and ministering to youth.

Over 55 student leaders will participate in orientation training guided by Matt Wallace, assistant professor of education, and Hélène Hale, director of community life, at Grand Rapids’ Adventure Point. As the group counts down the days until Arrival Day for new students, the leaders will reconnect while focusing on ways to serve the campus community and encourage each other as leaders.

Looking ahead to August, Wallace, who also teaches the first-year experience course, expressed his excitement for the student commissioning service that marks the start of the academic year and commits each incoming student to the LORD as they explore their vocation and continue their academic training.

“The [Dedication Service] chapel we do to kick off Orientation week where the students separate from their parents right after is always a powerful moment for me,” Wallace said. “It reminds me that God is in front of what we do and all around; He is with students, and He is with the parents. Yes, all of this is His, and it reminds me of the great responsibility we have to follow Him through the journey every year at CU. I have loved that moment at the start of the year.”

Discover CU LEAD, an intentional leadership training pathway for tomorrow’s Christian influencers, by requesting information online or calling the Admissions Office at 616.949.5300 to speak with an enrollment counselor today.