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National Leadership Council

Teens 8th–12th Grade
(Apply in the fall of your 8th-grade year)

Grow as a Leader

DB National Leadership Council teens grow spiritually, develop leadership skills, make incredible friends, travel and explore, serve their community, and deepen their practice of Christian Science!

Takeaways

  • Leadership skills
  • Spiritual growth
  • Service to your community
  • Exciting adventures
  • Lifelong friendships
  • Congressional Award
Josh

Prayer Overcomes COVID-19

The outpouring of love from the teens was humbling and healing all on its own

Read More

WHAT IS NLC?

Overview

  • Study the principles of servant leadership through Biblical models
  • Earn levels in the Congressional Award
  • Take part in two-week summer experiences:
    • Orientation summer at the A/U Ranches
    • Adventure trip
    • Service trip
  • Receive support from a local Christian Science mentor

Overview

  • Ability to attend two retreats
  • Participating in monthly web hangouts using Zoom
  • Dedicating approximately 2-4 hours a month to Compass activities
  • Attending Christian Science Sunday School at least 50% of the time
  • Being supportive and encouraging to the other teens in the program
  • Paying $1,500 registration fee, plus the cost of travel to retreats (generous financial aid is available)
Why NLC?

Why NLC?

There's a lot for 7th-graders and their families to learn about what NLC is and what it can do for them. Here are some resources to help you navigate your questions.

Got Questions?

Dates & Rates

The 2025 NLC application will open in August.

Dates

Application Window

  • The application window is now closed

Program Length

  • Grades 9–12
    (Apply in the fall of your 8th-grade year)

Rates

Approximately $3,925/year

Includes the following:

  • All Class Retreats
  • Summer experiences
  • Estimated travel

Financial aid is available

Apply

The 2025 NLC application will open in August.

Step 1. Confirm Eligibility

Applicants should be entering 8th grade in the fall and be able to abide by the NLC expectations and Community Conduct found in the application instructions.

Application Instructions    

Step 2. Apply

Complete the National Leadership Council – 2029 Class Application. In addition to collecting basic information, there is a series of essay questions that help us understand your interest in and eligibility for this program. We recommend having your answers ready before filling out this form. (Questions are included in the application instructions.)

The NLC application is now closed.

Step 3. Complete Registration Form

Complete program registration (separate from the application form). You will need the name, phone number, and address of two emergency contacts.

 

Step 4. Provide References

Share the link below with two adults who can provide a reference for you. One reference from each of the following people is required.

  • Core-subject teacher: a teacher who knows your study habits and timeliness (homeschooled teens may choose a coach, troop leader, or family friend who can speak to the teen’s work ethic)
  • Sunday School teacher: a teacher you have consistently been in the class with and can speak to your attendance and participation.

Step 5. Interview

NLC staff will contact teens with strong applications to set up an interview. Parents will be invited to join at the end to hear details about the program and for Q&A. We expect to be conducting interviews through November 3, 2024.

Step 6. Complete Follow-up Assignment

After the interview, teens will be emailed a short follow-up assignment. Once this is turned in, the application process is complete.

Acceptance Process

1. Selection Process

After conducting all applicant interviews, NLC staff review each applicant and select those who meet the criteria.

2. Announcement

New classes will be announced via email by November 15, 2024. Those not selected will be notified beforehand.

3. All Class Retreat

Classes will come together for the first time over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend in January.

Got Questions?

Class Leaders

Helping youth live Christian Science

Meet the Leaders of our current NLC classes. The brief bios below help you to get to know who the amazing people are shepherding our NLC teens.

All Years
  • All Years
  • Class 2025K
  • Class 2025U
  • Class 2026B
  • Class 2026W
  • Class 2027J
  • Class 2028S
  • Class 2028U
  • Class 2029P
  • Class 2029W
Read Profile

Lizzie Loomis

Class 2025K

Hi, I’m Lizzie. I am a maker, baker, singer and lover of all things that create community. In fact, most of the jobs I have had over the past 15…

Read Profile

Josh Sprague

Class 2025K

I am so excited to be co-leader of 2025K! Until recently, pretty much all of my professional career has been about working with teens and young adults as they figure…

Read Profile

Ron Clarke

Class 2025U

Hi, I’m Ron Clarke and I am excited to be co-leading the NLC 2025U class. I live in Minneapolis, MN and am married to Betsy. We have 5 children and…

Read Profile

Stephanie Maxey

Class 2025U

Stephanie grew up in Fort Collins, Colorado and decided to experience life on her own in a below zero degree climate as an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota. Stephanie…

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BK Grimmer

Class 2026B

Hi! My name is BK Grimmer and I am over-the-moon excited to be leading the 2026-B NLC class with my husband, Brett! We currently live in St Louis on the…

Read Profile

Brett Grimmer

Class 2026B

Hi, I’m Brett. I am very excited to be co-leading 2026B with my wife BK! We live in St. Louis with our Aussiedoodle puppy, Bindi. We love family time, the…

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Chris Helms

Class 2026W

Hi, I’m Chris and I’ve lived in Bellevue, Washington, with my wife Kerste for the past 30 years, and have been active with Adventure Unlimited and Discovery Bound activities in…

Read Profile

Kerste Helms

Class 2026W

Hi! I’m Kerste (Care-stuh). I graduated from Principia College in the ‘90’s with an Education/History double major and have taught children, teens, and now college, ever since. My education and…

Read Profile

Lee Adler

Class 2027J

Hi, I’m Lee Adler. I am very excited to be co-leading the NLC 2027 Class. I grew up in the St. Louis area and after I married my wonderful wife Betsy,…

Read Profile

Patti Fox

Class 2027J

Hello! My name is Patti Fox and I am so excited to be a co-class leader for the class 2027J! Both of our children graduated from the NLC program Sidney…

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Kristen Henley-Hills

Class 2028S

Hi! I’m Kristen. A midwestern-New Englander, I was raised equally in Michigan and outside of Boston. Then I spent 30 years in the Washington, DC area before moving to beautiful…

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Joe Van Riper

Class 2028S

Joe is a professor of music at Principia College. He teaches conducting, American popular music and musical theatre, musicianship, and applied trumpet lessons. In addition, he directs the College orchestra,…

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Carol Barrett

Class 2028U

Hi, I’m Carol Barrett. I grew up in Illinois, went to college in Indiana, and lived in Massachusetts before moving to Houston, Texas twenty-some years ago. I am a lifelong…

Read Profile

Dave Garrison

Class 2028U

Hello! I will be co-leading NLC class 2028U with Carol and I can’t wait to get to know and work with everyone on this 4-year journey of growth, discovery, adventure…

Read Profile

Allison Abdelnour

Class 2029P

Hello! I’m Allison Abdelnour, and I’m so excited to co-lead the 2029P NLC class with my husband, John. For many years, John and I filmed documentary-style promotional videos for the…

Read Profile

John Abdelnour

Class 2029P

Hi, I’m John Abdelnour, and I am excited and grateful to co-lead the NLC 2029P class with my wife, Allison. Growing up in western Oregon and spending many summers at…

Read Profile

Jason Williams

Class 2029W

Hi, I’m Jason, and I’m looking forward to co-leading 2029W with my wife, Pam! We live in Redwood City, California, with our daughter and three cats: Boomer, Jupiter, and Harley….

Read Profile

Pam Fernandes

Class 2029W

Hi, my name is Pam. I have lived in California for over half of my life – in the Bay Area and San Diego – but I grew up in…

CSPS Articles

As part of the program, each NLC teen testifies to the effectiveness of Christian Science by writing for the Christian Science Publishing Society (CSPS). Teens submit a piece – with the help of their mentor – that communicates the principles they’re learning. NLC teens have had nearly 200 articles, healings, poems, and audio recordings published in the Christian Science Journal, Sentinel, Daily Lift, and other online media.

Student Articles  |  Leader Articles  |  Archives

NLC Student Articles 2023

Christian Science Sentinel

  1. “Quitting the complaining committee” by Lily Hoyle, October 10, 2023
  2. “Worried about your future?” by Savannah Tully, September 18, 2023
  3. “One summer, two healings” by Merit Brustman, September 4, 2023
  4. “How could I choose?” by Clara Huffman, August 1, 2023
  5. “A healing of Covid at camp” by Nicole Nager, July 11, 2023
  6. “Should I even go on the mountain biking trip?” by Annika Harris, June 27, 2023
  7. “Healing after a water skiing accident” by Jax Tlustos, June 20, 2023
  8. “Facing my fears on the mountain” by Quinn Fendon, June 13, 2023
  9. “If you’re struggling with perfectionism” by Shayla Kelley, June 12, 2023
  10. “Feeling at home, away from home” by Kate Shipp, June 6, 2023
  11. “No more menstrual cramps” by Mabel Matteson, April 24, 2023
  12. “My healing of a wrestling injury” by Cole Christensen, March 28, 2023
  13. “When I was doubting myself” by Logan Cadey, March 27, 2023
  14. “A gift for my community” by Christi Whitehead, February 13, 2023
  15. “I was able to play soccer again” by Lincoln Benson, January 30, 2023

View Archives

NLC Leader Articles

Christian Science Journal

2028U Class

  1. “Miscarriage averted” by Carol Lawson Barrett, August 2000

2028S Class

  1. “Healing of snakebite” by Kristen Henley-Hills, December 2018

2027J Class

  1. “A business turnaround through prayer” by Lee Adler, May 24, 2021
  2. “Teachable moments” by Patti Fox, December 31, 2012
  3. “Everything fell into place” by Patti Fox, March 19, 2001

2025K Class

  1. “Daniel's real job, and ours” by Joshua Sprague, August 2024
  2. “Severe chest pains overcome” by Joshua Sprague, December 2021
  3. “Poetry and punk” by Joshua Sprague, January 1, 2000

2024A Class

  1. “Breathing problems healed” by Doug Brown, May 27, 2019
  2. “Chronic sore healed” by Doug Brown, October 25, 2015
  3. “Our sailing adventure” by Doug Brown, May 22, 2013
  4. “A spiritual investment in our life savings” by Doug Brown, April 19, 2010
  5. “The call of the wild” by Doug Brown, March 2005
  6. “Thanksgiving blessings” by Doug Brown, November 25, 2002
  7. “Progress: taking our cue from the Scriptures” by Doug Brown, February 7, 2000
  8. “A prayer for a voyage” by Doug Brown, November 15, 1999
  9. “God guides every event of our career” by Doug Brown, Becky O’Sullivan, Eric Nager, Clarence Head, November 29, 1998
  10. “Reconciliation in the workplace” by Doug Brown, November 10, 1997

2023S Class

  1. “Good salespeople” by Trevor Yates, November 2023
  2. “My daughter had confidence enough for both of us” by Trevor Yates, July 14, 2021
  3. “Spiritual growth clears up annoyance and pride” by Trevor Yates, November 4, 2019
  4. “A dad-to-be takes his cue from Joseph” by Trevor Yates, October 10, 2011
  5. “Layoffs, freedom and purpose” by Trevor Yates, April 16, 2003
  6. “All ages helped by children’s article” by Trevor Yate, July 2003

View Archives

ACR

All Class Retreat

WHAT IS ACR?

Each January, all NLC participants for a long weekend at Principia College at the All Class Retreat (ACR). It’s a time to celebrate the graduating classes, welcome the new classes, and to connect in person.

WHO CAN ATTEND

  • NLC teens (attendance required)
  • Mentors (attendance optional; graduating mentors strongly encouraged!)
  • Parents of graduating NLC teens

For mentors who can't attend and family members whom we can't accommodate in person, we offer several events virtually: the inspirational talk, keynote address, award ceremony + NLC in Action videos, and the graduation ceremony.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

ACR registration includes all meals and housing for the weekend. Parents and mentors are housed by class in the historic Maybeck houses on Principia College campus with bedding provided. Teens are housed with their class and will need to bring a sleeping bag. The guesthouse is not available this weekend, so dorm rooms will be assigned as participants register. Local families are encouraged to fully commit to the weekend by staying at the college.