Though he’s just 15, Will King of Bradenton already has some solid ideas on what makes a good leader.

“Be respectful. Be caring, compassionate and trustworthy,” the Braden River High School sophomore says. “Be the kind of person others can look up to. And no more trying to be the class clown. You have to be mature.”

Knowing the traits of a good leader is one thing. Putting them into action takes discipline and work.

So last spring, King participated in the first class of Developing Youth Leaders, sponsored by Harvest United Methodist Church in Bradenton and led by Molly Lawson, Harvest’s community engagement leader and the program’s developer. A second session wrapped up this fall.

Besides King, 14 other students have now completed the training. A date for a third session in 2019 is also planned.

The faith-based program is one of two 2018 recipients of a $2,500 Alice W. Lockmiller Christian education grant administered by the Florida United Methodist Foundation.

Click here for the rest of the story, courtesy of the Florida United Methodist Foundation.