Moving from Scotland to Norwich, I had no idea what I was stepping into — but SLA has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. It’s a place to grow, lead, and discover your purpose in God. If you’re ready to be stretched and equipped for the future, this is for you.

Before SLA, I carried so much fear about the future. Through this course, I’ve grown in confidence, deepened my faith, made lifelong friends, and even witnessed miracles in my own life. It’s been life-changing.

Serving in the Youth Department this year has been an incredible experience. I didn’t grow up in a Christian environment, so this year has been foundational for me ,both in my faith and in learning how to lead and serve others.The missions trip was another massive highlight. I was deeply impacted by what we were part of in Uganda. Just take a step of faith.

Taking the step to join SLA was the best risk I've ever taken! Being able to educate young people and provide them with a safe, fun, and loving environment is an incredible blessing. It allows me to help build a strong foundation of faith that they can carry with them throughout their lives, empowering them to change the world! This year has gifted me a community I had only ever dreamed of. It has challenged me to become a much better version of myself, deepened my understanding of my faith beyond my expectations, and created memories that will last a lifetime.

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.

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.

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!

The SLA program has shaped me in numerous ways, providing many opportunities to learn from exceptional leaders and apply my existing knowledge through various leadership roles. It has helped me understand how the church operates from within and has allowed me to be a part of this remarkable movement.

My experience in the SLA has been nothing short of amazing. From deepening my faith and expanding my knowledge to ministering to underprivileged children in Uganda, this journey has been invaluable. As someone from South Africa, I was initially worried about finding my place in Norwich and at Soul Church, but this course has helped me establish my sense of belonging and forge lifelong friendships.