Lift Leadership Institute

Lift City Church | Lafayette, LA
Initiative: Expanded Programming for Bachelor’s and Young Adult Courses
2024 Grant: $10,000 & Mentoring

Paving Pathways for a Christ-Centered Education

More than 10 years ago, Pastor Tracie Millard of Lift City Church identified a gap in educational opportunities that focused on Christ-centered leadership and discipleship. As a skilled educator who had been in ministry for nearly 20 years, she set out to create an accessible program for people who might not have access to an education. As a result, Lift City Church founded the Lift Leadership Institute and began offering a two-year associate degree program that focused on character, integrity, ethics, and morality.

As part of the coursework for Lift Leadership Institute, students complete 60 hours of Christian learning and participate in 24+ hours of practicum time, often in the form of community service. In the span of the two-year program, students read 24 books by Christian authors and complete a prayer journal and a fasting journal. Program leaders have also added reading the entire Bible as part of the curriculum for their associate degree.

“Our goal at Lift Leadership Institute is to empower students holistically, not just academically,” said Pastor Tracie. “We want to develop leaders that serve and get involved in their communities, encourage others, and possess strong people and organizational skills. Our programs are designed to equip students with biblical principles and techniques that help them become effective leaders and who live like Christ.”

Lift City received $10,000 from the Kingdom Advancing Grant to fund program expansion, including programs for middle and high school age groups and an option for a bachelor’s degree. In the years since its founding, the Lift Leadership Institute has graduated students as young as 18 and as old as 68.

“The news shows us how many young people we’re losing to violence, abuse, drugs, and more,” said Pastor Tracie. “Our Young Leadership Training Programs at the Lift Leadership Institute will focus on reaching those young people by offering them an educational opportunity that will fulfill and edify them by building character and allowing them to use their God-given gifts and talents.”

As part of its programming for young adults, Lift Leadership Institute will offer a Future Leaders Training Program that helps develop soft skills in preparation for college or a career. There will also be an after-school tutoring program for students, which offers tutoring in standard school subjects and college admission test prep. The tutoring program closes each day with team-building activities not related to academics, such as community projects, physical fitness, and more. This enables students to receive holistic support in their development, rather than solely focusing on school subjects and courses.

Lift City is one of the only churches in the state of Louisiana licensed with the Louisiana Board of Regents to grant Christian-based diplomas in their area. Ninety-five percent of graduates from Lift Leadership Institute have been elevated to leadership positions in their careers or ministries, and the expansion of the program will allow more people to access affordable, Christ-centered education.

https://liftcityleaders.org/

The Kingdom Advancing Grant supports innovative church programs and initiatives that are unique in the way they bring people closer to Jesus, that can be sustained over time, and that can be replicated by other Christian churches. Learn more about the Kingdom Advancing Grant and the Brotherhood Mutual Foundation, including the application deadline and eligibility requirements.