Abundant Life Preparatory 9-12 Month Leadership Program

9-12 Month Leadership Program

      Trimester I – ALP Leadership Program (first 3 months)

Human Behavior:  A Christ-centered view about “how and why” people “act”.  This segment of the ALP Leadership Program is an in-depth learning about “oneself”; personality traits, temperaments, personal strengths and weaknesses, as well as “blindspots” (actions and behaviors that continue to undermine the child’s progress).  Through the  “Human Behavior” segment the ALP students learn the basics regarding “effective interpersonal” communication [learning to relate to others and communicate better] and “conflict resolution”.  In addition, students come to understand the dangers and drawbacks of “selfishness” and “self-centeredness”.  Moreover, the ALP students learn to care for others, lifting others above themselves, and loving others.  During this phase the ALP student learns why he/she struggles to relate to others (especially parents) and why they continue to make poor decisions.  Students also learn the power behind “submission to authority”. 

Furthermore, the ALP student will complete at least one semester academic credit during Trimester I, as well as to be involved in serving others through “community service”.  Trimester I students can participate in athletics, worship team, and other prosocial activities that promote well-being.

     
      Trimester II – Leadership Curriculum (months 4 to 6)

Emotional Intelligence:  “EI” is the foundation of the ALP leadership program.  Most of our student body is made up of very intelligent (gifted) 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”).  At ALP Students learn to “think”, “act”, and then “feel”.  Way too many young people “feel” first (act out of their immature emotions), then “act”, and most often skip the “thinking” part altogether.  Instead of “thinking” things through young people are addicted to blaming others, rationalizing actions, and they are experts at “play the victim”.  Emotionally immature kids never get around to understanding that they are causing their own bad situations, and that is why they stay “stuck”.  Emotionally immature kids are depressed and angry.  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 ALP 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.  However, the important thing is for the student to learn to make emotionally intelligent decisions for themselves.

Furthermore, during Trimester II we make sure that the ALP student’s earn opportunities to practice the leadership material they have learned.  During Trimester II students are encouraged, coached, and guided to “exercise” the training they have received.  In essence, the ALP 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 ALP student participates in “national” mercy ministry projects.  For example, the Trimester II students of ALP have worked tirelessly in helping clean up New Orleans and Mississippi after the Katrina Hurricane disaster.  Moreover, we have sent student teams to help clean up after major tornado’s (Greensburg, Kansas and Americus, Georgia).  The Trimester II student will participate in other mercy ministry projects such as “Habitat for Humanity” (building homes for the poor)

      Trimester III – Leadership Curriculum (months 7 to 9 and beyond if necessary)

Choice Theory:  The in-depth study of “choice”.  Students at ALP come to understand the power behind “choice” (Christ-centered Choice Theory).  ALP Students have become what they chosen.  Meaning, an accumulation of one’s choices over a period of time contribute to the well being of one’s life.  If we make good, powerful, and “right” choices over a period of time we can enjoy great 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”.  As a matter of fact, prior to coming to ALP our students have compiled a big pile of loss and regret through their poor choices.  ALP students learn how to create success in their lives by making the right choices.  They also learn how to navigate out of “bad places” by turning from their poor choices.  ALP Students learn about the “pits” they have fallen into and how to get out of them.  They learn 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”.  Through the ALP Choice Theory Program the ALP student gets a sense of “confidence”, “power”, and “destiny”.  At ALP we teach the ultimate choice is to be led by the Holy Spirit.

      Typical Student Candidate (ALP Base Leadership Program – 9 to 12 months)

The typical student candidate for the ALP Leadership Program is a good kid 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 autonomy, 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.