Mondays with Mike: Leading with Faith–Meet Four of PCA’s Student Small-Group Leaders

Dear PCA Community,

This Thanksgiving, step into the vibrant life of PCA’s Upper School as we spotlight four remarkable small group leaders. These students are not only guiding their peers through spiritual and personal growth but are also navigating their own leadership journeys with grace and humility. Listen in as they share the joys, challenges, and transformative moments of leading small groups, reflecting on how God is shaping their lives and communities.

4 Key Takeaways:

  • Leadership in Action: Small group leaders find that effective leadership isn’t about having all the answers but meeting peers where they are and fostering meaningful connections.
  • The Power of Community: Small groups offer a space for spiritual growth, mutual encouragement, and the chance to see and celebrate each other’s God-given gifts.
  • Stretching and Growing: Leading peers pushes students out of their comfort zones, teaching them valuable lessons about communication, humility, and faithfulness.
  • God at Work:  Even in moments of silence or uncertainty, leaders witness how God uses their efforts to impact their groups in ways they may not always see.
A woman stands holding cards, addressing a group of seated people in a classroom with blackboards and art supplies.
A person with long curly red hair smiles against a neutral background.
Mackenzie (Junior, PCA Class of ’26)
Young man with curly hair and a plaid shirt smiling slightly against a gray background.
Jeremiah (Junior, PCA Class of ’26)
Person with long dark hair and glasses, wearing a blue top, in front of a gray background.
Linnie (Junior, PCA Class of ’26)
Portrait of a smiling young person with short brown hair, wearing a dark blue shirt against a gray background.
Charlie (Senior, PCA Class ’25)

Podcast Summary

Join us for a special Thanksgiving episode where we sit down with four upper school spiritual leaders from PCA. As small group leaders, Charlie, Linnie, Jeremiah, and Mackenzie share their unique journeys and insights into the role of guiding their peers in faith and community.

Discover how these students balance leadership with personal growth and the creative ways they foster connection within their groups.

  • Charlie, known for his kind attitude, aspires to own a business and discusses the challenges and rewards of leading a small group.
  • Linnie, the writer of the group, dreams of a career in publishing and shares how her introverted group surprises her with deep insights.
  • Jeremiah, a budding filmmaker, highlights the importance of genuine interest in others to build trust and community.
  • Mackenzie, a singer, reflects on the impact of stepping into leadership for the first time and how it has enriched her faith journey.

The episode delves into the dynamics of small group meetings, from sharing weekly highs and lows to engaging in thoughtful discussions and prayer. The leaders also emphasize the importance of humility, active listening, and recognizing the diverse gifts each member brings to the table. They share personal stories of growth, the challenges of silence, and the joy of seeing their peers open up and connect.

As the conversation wraps up, the student leaders offer words of encouragement to future small group leaders, highlighting the significance of being faithful, trusting God, and embracing the unexpected.

This episode is a testament to the power of student-led spiritual growth and the impact of community at PCA.

Wishing everyone a blessed Thanksgiving and looking forward to the Advent season ahead!

A group of people sitting in a room, some are attentively listening while one speaks. The setting appears to be a classroom or meeting room with a whiteboard in the background.
A group of people sitting in a circle of red chairs, engaged in a discussion, with some taking notes.


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