Youth Becoming Leaders

To be accepted into Youth Becoming Leaders, applicants must meet at least the following requirements: a minimum GPA of 3.3***, demonstration of leadership in the local community, reference letters, and Scripture memorization. Students who enroll at Asbury are eligible to receive $1,000 per year ($4,000) in scholarships and three academic elective credits to be applied toward the general liberal arts degree completion.

Students are asked to complete a three-step application process by March 10, 2025 to be considered for acceptance into the program.

1. Complete the application.
2. Identify a mentor from your home church/community that will commit to journeying through a mentor relationship for the next year. Prior to submitting your online application, communicate with this mentor about why you chose them and what’s involved in this valuable commitment. You will share your mentor’s contact information in your online application, and YBL will send a Mentor Reference Form. Please talk with your mentor early so that they can submit this form by March 10, 2025, and remember to thank them. **
3. Applicants will be asked to memorize a Scripture passage – Exodus 3:1-15 – that connects with the theme of Youth Becoming Leaders. The scripture can be any translation. You will be asked to submit a video of yourself reciting the verses, and the video must be a one-shot recording (rather than multiple clips edited together).

Turn in all three application materials (online application, mentor & reference form, and video of Scripture memorization) by Wednesday, March 10, 2025.

**The Youth Becoming Leaders program provides students with a comprehensive post-program curriculum that requires them to work closely with their mentor. As part of this process, mentors are required to participate in a pre-program Zoom training session and an additional Zoom call on the final day of the residential program. During this call, students and mentors will work together to refine a ministry project the student will undertake in the following months. To assist mentors, YBL will provide a helpful mentor workbook. 

***Students who display strong leadership qualities and whose references can attest to their suitability for the program will still be considered, even if they do not meet the GPA requirement. 

Leadership Fellows

Loved YBL so much you are ready to play it back again? YBL is launching Leadership Fellows in 2025. This program is designed for students who have already attended YBL and wish to continue their leadership development.  During the program, these students will continue to gain knowledge and guidance as leaders alongside counselors and first-year YBL students. These returning students will experience:

• Biblical and theological training related to the new 2025 theme, Known, from Exodus 3:1-15
• Additional leadership training, particularly about how to give ministry leadership away
• Designated leadership responsibilities during the 10 days of YBL’s residential program
• Community with other Leadership Fellows

To apply for this opportunity, students will 1) complete the YBL application form, which includes an additional section of questions for Leadership Fellows; 2) submit the Scripture memorization video for this year’s theme verses; and 3) identify a mentor from their home church or community. (Students are more than welcome to continue working with the mentor they chose during their first year of YBL.) Students will also develop a ministry project, which can be a new component for their already existing ministry project or a new project altogether. Leadership Fellows students will arrive early on June 8th  at 3 pm.