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National Leadership Council

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

All Class Retreat (ACR) Registration

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
Jimmy

A Young Man's Journey

It gave me time and space to start honing my practice and learning what Christian Science is really all about.

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

  • Attend the annual All Class Retreat (winter)
  • Take an active role in church:
    • Attend Sunday School
    • Read the Bible Lesson
    • Explore the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures
    • Write for the Christian Science Publishing Society
  • Intern within the Christian Science community
  • Read from Christian Science periodicals and explore praying for the world
  • Most importantly, ask questions!

NLC Alumni Share Their Stories

The NLC application is now closed.

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 $3,400/year

Includes the following:

  • All Class Retreats
  • Summer experiences
  • Estimated travel

Financial aid is available

The NLC application is now closed.

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 2025K
Class 2025U
Class 2026B
Class 2026W
Class 2027J
Class 2028S
Class 2028U

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
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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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

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…

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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…