“The purpose of the conference is to inspire and develop 21st-century Christian leaders. The direction of Christianity in America rests with this new generation.”

On October 13-15, 2010, the Student Senate of Covenant College will host its first annual Leadership Summit.

“The purpose of the conference is to inspire and develop 21st-century Christian leaders,” says Ben Scott, a student organizer of the summit. “The direction of Christianity in America rests with this new generation.”

Speakers will include Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council; Chad Dirkse, president of Chattanooga Christian School; and several student leaders on campus.

Tony Perkins is President of the Washington, D.C.-based Family Research Council. He is a former member of the Louisiana legislature where he served for eight years, and he is recognized as a legislative pioneer for authoring measures like the nation’s first Covenant Marriage law. Although he had no opposition for re-election, he kept his pledge to serve only two terms and left office at the completion of his term in 2004. He was a Republican candidate for the United States Senate in 2002. Since joining FRC in the fall of 2003 he has launched new initiatives to affirm and defend the Judeo-Christian values that this nation is founded upon.

A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and a former police officer and television news reporter, Perkins brings a unique blend of experience and leadership to the pro-family movement. He received his undergraduate degree from Liberty University and a Master’s Degree from Louisiana State University in Public Administration. In May 2006 he received an honorary doctorate in theology from Liberty University. Tony and Lawana, married in 1986, have five children.

Chad Dirkse is a 1989 graduate of Covenant College and received his MBA from Letourneau University in 2007. His desire is “to see every graduate of Chattanooga Christian School possess heart level characteristics that lead directly to action in service to God. They should know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, they should have the mind of Christ and they should understand the unique gifts they have been given by Christ and have been challenged to grow those gifts to glorify God.’ He has passions for academics, athletics, and the arts, and wants to see all the programs of CCS continue to flourish.”

The schedule of the Leadership Summit is as follows:

Tony Perkins, Wednesday, October 13, 2010
11:00-11:35 a.m. Dora Maclellan Brown Memorial Chapel
7:00-8:00 p.m. Sanderson Hall auditorium

Student-Led Chapel, Thursday, October 14, 2010
11:00-11:35 a.m. Dora Maclellan Brown Memorial Chapel

Chad Dirkse, Friday, October 15, 2010
11:00-11:35 a.m. Dora Maclellan Brown Memorial Chapel