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National Leadership Council

Teens 8th–12th Grade

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 
  • 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!
Why NLC?

Why NLC?

There's a lot for 8th-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 is now closed.

If your application is still in process, please continue working on it.
If you missed the application deadline, please contact the NLC office at nlc@discoverybound.blackbaudwp.com

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 is now closed.

If your application is still in process, please continue working on it.
If you missed the application deadline, please contact the NLC office at nlc@discoverybound.blackbaudwp.com

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

The 2025 NLC application is now closed.

If your application is still in process, please continue working on it. If you missed the application deadline, please contact the NLC office at nlc@discoverybound.blackbaudwp.com

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.

References

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. 

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. 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 2027J
  • Class 2028S
  • Class 2028U
  • Class 2029P
  • Class 2029W
  • Class 2030L
  • Class 2030S
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…

Read Profile

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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Paul Needham

Class 2028S

Paul Needham has dedicated his career to education, student development, and leadership formation. He honed his expertise in emotional support as a teacher in Los Angeles and later when he…

Read Profile

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….

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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…

Read Profile

Barry Heinbaugh

Class 2030L

Hi, I’m Barry.  I’m a lifelong Christian Scientist growing up and living most of my life in California.  I have a wonderful family with a wonderful wife, Heidi, and three…

Read Profile

Lissa Murphy

Class 2030L

Hi, I’m Lissa Murphy. I am thrilled to be co-leading one of the NLC 2030 Classes. I have been involved with Adventure Unlimited and its many programs for over 40…

Read Profile

Nate Haase

Class 2030S

Hi! I’m Nate Haase, and I look forward to co-leading the journey of NLC class 2030S with my wife, Sandy. I am a lifelong Christian Scientist… born, raised, educated, and…

Read Profile

Sandy Haase

Class 2030S

Hello! I’m Sandy Haase and I am truly happy and honored to be co-leader with my husband, Nate, for the 2030S NLC class! I’ve lived in Southern California all my…

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