The National Student Leadership Forum, convened since 1990 by Members of Congress and other U.S. leaders, is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. It invites young individuals from diverse backgrounds and aspirations to come together and learn how to lead more effectively within their spheres of influence. At the heart of the Forum is the study of Jesus of Nazareth—widely regarded as the most influential and effective leader in Western civilization—as a model of servant leadership. His teachings offer invaluable insights into addressing issues such as reconciliation, service to the poor, integrity, purpose, and love. In addition to Jesus, we also draw inspiration from the lives of other historic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa, William Wilberforce, and Martin Luther King, Jr., as well as contemporary leaders who embody servant leadership in their work today.

Regarding Jesus’ unparalleled impact as a leader, consider the following:

• Over 2,000 years after he walked the roads of Galilee, billions of people worldwide can recite major portions of his key teachings, including the “Sermon on the Mount.”

• His words continue to be studied and followed by billions across all continents.

• Our calendar is based on his birth, and major global holidays like Christmas and Easter revolve around significant events in his life.

• Despite having only three years of public ministry, Jesus achieved profound global influence.

• His influence was realized without the use of money, mass media, books, elected office, or military force—yet his teachings have transformed the world.

Our mission is to deeply explore these principles and wrestle with their meaning, with the goal of nurturing leaders who understand the importance of reconciliation, truth, and love for their neighbors. In a world dominated by self-interest, we seek to illuminate a worldview centered on others, embracing altruism over egotism. At the National Student Leadership Forum, we believe that true change begins with personal transformation, which then radiates outward to change the world.

State Forums

In 1983, a group of students from Virginia approached U.S. Senator Paul Trible and his wife, Rosemary, with the idea of hosting a Virginia Student Leadership Forum. They enthusiastically agreed, and this gathering marked the first of many state forums across the country. These state forums, much like the national forum, invite student leaders from college campuses to engage in meaningful dialogue about the leadership model of Jesus of Nazareth.

State forums have since been established in Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, North Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Washington, and through programs like the Portland Fellows and Dallas Fellows.

These forums are hosted by local political, business, and religious leaders, and typically feature keynote speeches by various political figures, small group breakout sessions following larger group meetings, and community service projects. For more information about state forums, please contact the Forum office.