Abundant Life Leadership Academy
Base Leadership Program (9 to 12 months)
Trimester I – ALLA Leadership Program (first 3 months)
Human Behavior: A Christ-centered view about “why and how” people “act”. This segment of the ALLA Leadership Academy is an in-depth learning about “oneself”; personal strengths and weaknesses, personality traits, temperaments, as well as “blindspots/weaknesses”. Through the “Human Behavior” segment the ALLA students learn the basics regarding “effective interpersonal communication”, which is to better relate to others and communicate effectively, as well as “conflict resolution”. In addition, students come to understand the dangers and drawbacks of “selfishness” and “self-centeredness”. Moreover, the ALLA students learn to care for others, and loving others. During this segment the ALLA student learns why they struggle to relate to others (especially parents) and why they continue to make poor decisions. Students also learn the power behind “submission to authority”.
The ALLA student will complete one semester academic credit during Trimester I, as well to participate in “community service”. Trimester I students can participate in horsemanship, athletics, worship team, and other prosocial activities that promote wellbeing.
Trimester II – Leadership Curriculum (months 4 to 6)
Emotional Intelligence: “EI” is the pillar of the ALLA leadership program. Most of our student body is made up of very intelligent students. Unfortunately, these kids are also very “emotionally immature” (struggle to make decisions that are in their best interest, especially when it comes to choosing “peers”). Students learn to “think”, “act”, and then “feel”. Instead of “thinking” things through young people are addicted to blaming others, rationalizing, becoming experts at “playing the victim”. Emotionally immature boys and girls never get around to understanding that they are the cause of their own bad situations. Emotionally immature kids can be depressed and act out in anger toward those that love them. They try so hard to get their needs met in the most ineffective ways, guaranteeing only that they will get less of what they want, and more of what they are trying to avoid. At ALLA we teach students to “think for themselves” and to find solutions for their issues. We give them tools to overcome their problems, and then coach them to success.
During Trimester II ALLA students earn opportunities to practice the leadership material they have learned. During Trimester II students are encouraged, coached, and guided to “practice” the training they have received. ALLA students learn to be leaders by taking on tough situations, learning to deal with all kinds of adversity, and most importantly, to learn to serve others. In Trimester II the ALLA student participates in “national” mercy ministry projects.
Trimester III – Leadership Curriculum (months 7 to 9 and beyond if necessary)
Choice Theory: Students at ALLA come to understand the freedom behind “choice” (Christ-centered Choice Theory). ALLA Students have become what they chosen. Meaning, an accumulation of one’s choices over a period of time contributes to the position and placement of one’s life. If we make good, powerful, and “right” choices over a period of time we can enjoy greater prosperity and success (“Liberty” and “Freedom”). However, if we make poor choices over a period of time we can earn a great deal of “loss” and “regret”. ALLA students learn how to create success in their lives by making the right choices.
The ALLA Student also learns how to navigate out of “bad places” by turning from their poor choices. ALLA teens learn about the “pits” they have fallen into and how to get out of them. They learn how to take responsibility for their actions, and hold them selves accountable. Students learn to restrain from negative influences and surround themselves with powerful influences. “We become who we hang around”. At ALLA we teach the ultimate choice is to be led by the Holy Spirit.
During Trimester III students participate in International Mercy Ministries. Our Trimester III students are involved with feeding the poor, educating the un-educated, building homes, churches, and development of other social services projects. Our students learn that the people we serve in other countries (e.g. Mexico) are poor (materialistically), but more important they learn that they are extremely rich (spiritually).
Typical Student Candidate (ALLA Base Leadership Program – 9 to 12 months)
The typical student candidate for the ALLA Leadership Program is a good teen from a good Christian family (raised in the Church). Unfortunately, this student also has a substantial “authority” issue (mainly, this child is rebelling against parental authority). The authority issue stems form the fact that they have an adventurous spirit and demand un-earned freedom and liberty, but can’t make decisions that are in their best interest. In essences, these kids are their own worst enemy. In regard to their parents they fight, argue, and will not listen. Additionally, this child is emotionally immature, is making poor decisions, blames everyone else for their own mistakes, rationalizes, minimizes, and is deep into “fantasy-thinking”. Meaning, this child is making more and more bad decisions, is hanging out with the wrong crowd, sneaking out at night, experimenting with drugs and alcohol, and is probably sexually active and they don’t see the “problem”. However, this same child blames his/her parents for everything, and thinks that they are “retarded”, “gay”, and “stupid”. This child is acting as if he/she was 8 years old, but demands to be treated as if they were 30.
There is a guarantee associated with the Base Leadership Program.
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