The Path That MOST College Students Take to Make a Difference in Other’s Lives...

This path helps a leader become a life-giving force leaving a relational legacy on campus.

The path always follows a few checkpoints…

Checkpoint 1: Lead Yourself Spiritually.

This journey leading up to this checkpoint is moving from entertainment, self-focus, and what's in it for me. This leader sees the value of walking deeply with God. Then puts in a process to walk with God.

The reason this is important is that a leader’s legacy comes from their character. They can't make a difference if they don't have Christ-like character.

To grow in character, a leader has to walk deeply with God.

It's the classic truth: The more you are with someone, the more you become like them.

There are many character qualities that God will develop in someone over a lifetime.

Yet, before a leader moves to the next checkpoint, they need to focus on developing these specific traits...

1. Relatable (others focused)

2. Available (manages their priorities)

3. Faithful (worthy of trust)

4. Teachable (open to grow and receive coaching)

For a leader to lead themself spiritually, there are a few things they should consider adding to their daily and weekly routine...

Daily

1. Time in the Word

2. Prayer Time

3. Journaling

4. Memorizing the Bible

Weekly

1. Community Group

2. Discipleship

3. Evangelism

4. Church

Checkpoint 2: Lead Others Spiritually

Once students have begun the process of leading themself, leaders then make the shift from...

Taking TO Giving

Self-focus TO Serving

Consuming TO Investing

The Bible uses the analogy of a shepherd to describe this phase of leadership. A good leader looks for ways to shepherd others in their spiritual growth.

Checkpoint 3: Lead Leaders

It's one thing to lead someone. It's an entirely different thing to lead a leader. How do you coach, model, and give advice? An influential leader makes this shift from

player

to

player-coach.

Checkpoint 4: Lead Teams

Some of the most impact is done when a team rallies around a mission and executes it well. This takes a good leader.

This type of leader shifts from just their own personal ministry focus to leading a group of students to impact:

• An entire dorm

• A Greek house,

• A sports team

• Other groups on campus

This skill set required to lead a team is different than just leading a group of people. Later in the year, I will share more about this by sharing the Cru leadership model.

Checkpoint 5: Be Sent to the World

There is something that happens when our heart spends time leading in another culture. Our hearts shift and we become better leaders for a lifetime.

The best leaders I know have experienced leading a diverse group of people and that comes from learning to invest in people across the globe.
Our dream in Cru is that you can join us for a week, a summer or even a few years going across the world to invest in people's spiritual growth.

Checkpoint 6: Be Sent Out as a Graduate

At some point, leaders will leave OU. As they transition away from the college campus, the most impactful leaders learn to take these skills with them.

A sent leader...

• Walks deeply with God

• Invests in Others

• Leads Teams

• Is Globally Minded

And makes a difference in whatever context God call's them to after college.

This type of leader leaves a ripple effect of relational impact in whatever God calls them to after college.

When students follow these checkpoints... they can make a difference.

This is why we say, we believe OU students will change the world!

To start that process at OU or on your campus today... fill out this survey from our Home Page and let's talk more about the next step!