Four Bethany students attend. Jill Eigsti ('10), Sara Klassen ('10), Chris Minter ('11), and Nick Rebec ('10), were among approximately 75 youth from across the Mennonite Church who met to discover and celebrate their God-given strengths at the Sept. 12-14 Y-LEAD 2008. Bethany's Student Life Cluster asked Jill, Sara, and Nick to attend while Chris participated on behalf of her church youth group. Sponsored by the Mennonite Church, Y-LEAD (Youth Leadership Education and Development) seeks to educate, empower, and enable youth to explore and develop their leadership abilities for use in their schools, churches, and communities. Components of the weekend included worship, seminars, small group interaction, networking, and fellowship.

Prior to attending the conference each participant took an online test that identified possible leadership strengths. During the conference participants then focused on the strengths that God had given each person, including writing a personal mission on how to use their strengths in their church and schools. In small groups participants also analyzed biblical leaders with similar leadership skills and how they allowed themselves to lead in God's strength.

The students found it helpful to see the variety of people's gifts and the resulting differences in leadership styles. Whereas one student in their group had analytical skills, Jill and Sara found that they both had gifts that work well behind-the-scenes, such as being empathetic, an includer, and positive encourager. They realized that they are leaders, even though they may not be as visible.

As a new student to Bethany, Jill did not know the others in her group as well and found this a good way to get to know people better. Sara noted that the weekend was beneficial for all of them in getting to know each other better and in meeting other youth from across the church, whom they look forward to meeting again at music festivals and church conferences.