This year has been the experience of a lifetime. Being away from family has matured me and taught me independence. The love & care of my SOUL Chuch family has been a big highlight. Over the course of the year ive found my calling in Worship Ministry through the coaching.and enouragement of my leaders aswell as the impact of the Engaging with applied Theology course. If u want to discover your calling, SLA is for you!

Moving to a new country is scary and coming into a new church sometimes feels even scarier. But when I came to Soul for SLA I was met with love, open arms, and a welcome like I had never experienced before. Doing SLA I’ve been able to have once in a lifetime experiences, making friends, learning about God in a whole new way from incredible leaders and teachers, exploring new places in the UK, and diving deeper into the Bible and theology through the Moorlands college course. SLA will change your life!

As a person with autism, life can be a struggle. Throughout this year I have been empowered to lead Soul Champions, the church's ministry for children with additional needs and disabilities this opportunity allowed me to meet incredible families and help them with their journey of faith through my own story, On our missions trip to Thembaletu a LSEN school in Cape Town, I realized God can use my differences and what I often perceive as weakness to bring God glory. To anyone considering doing SLA I encourage you to trust in God's plan even when it feels like a leap of faith.

I didn’t expect God to transform my life as much as He has during SLA. I have had the opportunity to explore so many different areas of leadership and challenge my convictions, helping me discover who I am called to be in Christ. I have made best friends for life and would encourage everyone to take the bold step out of their comfort zone and sign up for SLA!

SLA was a year I will never forget, it helped me solidify my purpose in Christ and also stretched me to be the leader and person I am today. I’m very thankful for SLA and the leaders that built me up and sewed into me through out the year, I grew beyond what I ever excpected and in ways in didn’t realise I would. Looking back it was challenging but such an important part of my journey with God.

This year has been one of the most rewarding years of my life! I have learnt so much about my own personality, what strengths and weaknesses I have and I really love the church environment. It is truly an enormous stepping stone for my future plans with God. I would recommend it to anyone with a heart for God and the desire to grow in faith and leadership.

In SLA I have made lifelong friends and grow in my relationship with God more than I could imagine. I have grown in my ability to lead through uncertain times, due to the practical experience and wise teachings from staff and senior leaders. SLA is an opportunity to spend a whole year committing all you have to God and stepping into the call on your life, surrounded by the best people.

SLA has taught me how to become a better leader with the gifts God has placed inside me, while also discovering new gifts. Moving to a new country has shown me how to lead others with an open and different perspective. I have truly grown in myself and my relationship with others. I couldn’t have asked for a better year serving this new place I call home away from home!