Leadership summit

If you're looking for an opportunity to hone your leadership skills, learning from some of the brightest minds in the country, you'll have an opportunity to do so close to home next Thursday and Friday, Aug. 11 and 12, at La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau.

La Croix is serving as one of 186 satellite locations, and one of the larger ones, for the Global Leadership Summit, an event organized by The Willow Creek Association. While Christian-based, the summit, according to LaCroix senior pastor Rev. Ron Watts, will benefit leaders from all walks of life.

Speakers for this year's event include Howard Schultz, chairman, CEO and president of Starbucks Corp.; Len Schlesinger, president of Babson College, Harvard professor and former vice chairman of Limited Brands; Henry Cloud, clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and leadership consultant from Los Angeles; Seth Godin, best-selling author, marketing blogger and founder of online publishing platform Squidoo; and Cory A. Booker, mayor of Newark, N.J.

In addition to LaCroix Church, six other area churches are partnering and encouraging folks to attend the summit via the Cape Girardeau site, including: Advance First Assembly in Advance, Mo., Cape First in Cape Girardeau; Christ Community Church in Murphysboro, Ill.; First Baptist Church in Dexter, Mo.; First United Methodist in Sikeston, Mo.; and Meadow Heights Church in Fredericktown, Mo.

So far over 550 individuals have registered to attend through the Cape Girardeau location, but if you are interested there is still time to sign up. Registration continues through Aug. 9 at 5 p.m. online at lacroixchurch.org or willowcreek.com/events/. You can also register by phone at 1-800-570-9812 through 5 p.m. Aug. 8. Walk-in registrations will also be accepted both days of the summit.

In addition to the Global Leadership Summit, other local churches have also hosted various simulcasts in recent years, some on leadership, that have been open to the public. These are prime opportunities to hear from successful leaders and outstanding speakers from around the country, and we thank the churches who make the effort to reach out to the community.