Some things change and some never will! Forty-five years ago, gasoline was 32 cents a gallon. Bell bottom pants were all the rage, and in churches across the United States, many men could be seen sporting a light blue, polyester leisure suit. The Vietnam War was tearing our country apart. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. The U.S. flag was being burned, and civil unrest was common. The drug culture was touting free love and living in communes. During this time, Jack Zorn had a dream. He dreamed of training young men from congregations across the nation to powerfully preach the Word of God. He wanted them to remind the masses that, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (Proverbs 14:34 ESV). From its humble beginning of eight young boys at the Corder Road Church of Christ in Warner Robins, Georgia to over 20,000 people now participating, L2L is the oldest and largest leadership training program used in churches of Christ today. I am thankful that Brenda and I were blessed to be a part of the early years and were able to attend the first convention. Some things do change, and we have done some changing through the years. We have a new logo that emphasizes the flying L. We have books and materials for everyone, from kindergarteners to adults. Our year-round events far outnumber our convention events. While things do change, and L2L wants to modernize where necessary, our commitment to sound biblical teaching will not be changing. Dr. Zorn believed 45 years ago that teaching young men to be preachers was vital and necessary and we still believe that to be the case. We believe that teaching young ladies the scriptural way to glorify God, as He would want, is important and necessary. We believe that congregations of the Lord s church need to bring the whole congregation together and allow the young and old to bond. These are the things that will not change in L2L. Depend on it!
Our numbers do the talking. In a L2L retention study, we found that 85 percent of the youth who participated in the program remained faithful to the Lord s church. Compare that with about half of those who participated in other programs, and about a third of those who didn t participate in any church youth program. 38% faithful Youth who attend services only 54% faithful Youth who participate in another program 85% faithful Youth who participate in L2L
What happened in 2013? New logo, new user-friendly email addresses, new-user friendly online store New Keepers event for girls in grades 3-12. There were 389 participants in the first year! New digital, interactive convention program L2L expands to India and Romania L2L expands to California with discussions regarding a new California convention ongoing Coming in 2014! New website Southwest field representative in Texas-Oklahoma New Providers event (boys companion program to Keepers) Junior Leader 3 with interactive digital activities online Leader Sprouts (pre-k curriculum) Mentoring handbook New study book for teen girls New program overview guide Improved awards ceremonies 2013 Income Materials 12% Donations 2013 Expenses Administration 10% 5% Finance 16% 72% Program 85% Program
Neil Anderson James Andrews George Bailey V.P. Black Don Blackwell Rick Brumback Phillip Box Dick Boyd Terry Broome Doug Burleson Kyle Butt Curtis A. Cates Dan Chambers Winford Claiborne B.J. Clarke Caleb Colley Cindy Colley Glenn Colley Hannah Colley Cory Collins David Courington Demar Elam Garland Elkins Adam Faughn E. Claude Garner Ralph Gilmore G. Scott Gleaves Bill Goodpasture Steven Guy Gary Hampton Teresa Hampton William Hardy Brad Harrub Willard Hart Ronnie Hayes Tommy Haynes Donnie Hilliard Billy Hilyer Phillip Hines Charles Hodge Tom Holland Kenneth E. Jackson III Dale Jenkins Dan Jenkins Jeff Jenkins Jerry Jenkins Jonathan Jenkins Aubrey Johnson Jeff Johnson Dennis Jones Sam Jones Mike Kiser Drew Kizer Larry Krause Billy Lambert Bobby Liddell David Lipe Jay Lockhart Mack Lyon Eric Lyons David McDonald Peter Martin, Jr. Cecil May Bruce McLarty Jim Bill McInteer Randy Medlin John Moore Keith Mosher Don Myers Gale Nelson Hardeman Nichols Stafford North Robert K. Oglesby Sr. Melvin Otey Eddie Parrish Neal Pollard, Jr. Mark N. Posey David Powell Bob Prichard Phil Sanders Milton Sewell Clark Sims Billy Smith Ed Smith Jack Smith Harold Taylor J.J. Turner Ryan Tuten Kyle Wadley Bill Watkins James Watkins Allen Webster Chuck Webster Wade Webster Jerry Weldon Jim Whitmire Joe Wiley Sam Willcut H. Clay Williams Mike Winkler Wendell Winkler
Check out these materials available from L2L! L2L is pleased to be able to offer Bible-based materials written by sound Christians, designed for use in the classroom or for personal study. Five reasons why L2L is different 1. All Ages: It s not just a youth program! Kindergarteners, senior citizens and everyone in between can participate! It brings families and churches together. 2. Year Round: Getting ready for a big event is nice, but it is our year-round events that separate L2L from other programs. There is no substitute for daily spiritual training at the local congregation, and L2L provides the tools. 3. Training Materials: We offer a wide range of teaching materials for all ages. For example the Field Book of Leadership is a training manual for servants in public worship and other areas. 4. Proven Results: Over 40 years of producing leaders in the church has given us the statistics to back our statement. Studies show that retention rates of youth involved in L2L are outstanding. 5. Consistency: Truth is the same no matter where you are. L2L is also the same no matter where you are. Biblical soundness is upheld in everything we do. Just like the fries are the same at any McDonald s you visit, the spiritual soundess is the same at any L2L convention you visit.
L2L Board of Directors CHAIRMAN Dr. David McDonald Jacksonville, FL VICE CHAIRMAN Phillip Hines Hartselle, AL SECRETARY Blake McAnally Decatur, AL Scott Latham Montgomery, AL Gale Nelson Miami, FL Melvin Otey, J.D. Washington, DC Wayne Scott, Ed.D. Henderson, TN TREASURER Ray Skelton Adamsville, AL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Roy Johnson Goodwater, AL BOARD MEMBERS John Arney Franklin, KY Dick Boyd White Plains, NY Gene Calhoun Gardendale, AL Glenn Colley Huntsville, AL Steve Cotney Birmingham, AL Rhonda Zorn Fernandez Orlando, FL Dr. John Simmons Columbia, TN Jim Whitmire Cumming, GA EX-OFFICIO COMMITTEE FOUNDER Dr. Jack Zorn Sylacauga, AL Don Bird Summit, MS Rick Dunning Searcy, AR David Galloway High Point, NC Dr. Steven Guy Myrtle Beach, SC David Short Montgomery, AL Jeff Jenkins Lewisville, TX