Jason’s Testimony: Applying What I Have Learned
I want to thank Dr. Storz, the Director of the Leadership and Ethics Program, and NBC for the course, “Capstone Project,” in the Leadership and Ethics major. When I began NBC, I was not certain of what my future would hold and was going to school just to go to school. My pastor believed I was a good candidate for becoming a pastor, but God had other plans for me and, deep down, I knew it. Now, 16 years later, I will shortly be graduating from a completely different major then when I began, but with the same goal of leading people (just not from behind the pulpit).
This Leadership and Ethics program has helped my career. Here are some thoughts from Jason on his boss and supervisor’s reaction to reading his “Capstone Project” paper:
My direct supervisor who reports to the City Manager, returned my paper with very thoughtful and detailed criticism. I was impressed at the time she took to truly review my work. Her input was significant and she encouraged me to do something with it. She told me it was very impressive and it made her feel good to know that someone in her department was so passionate and had such a great vision for the department. She wants me to present my paper to the City Manager and Assistant City Manager. She believes they need to know what "caliber" people they have on their team, and believes that through my paper, we have a real chance at making most of the things become a reality.
As I finish up my degree, I am also looking forward to the Biblical courses I will soon be taking. I am excited about attending these Biblical classes that NBC specializes in. The Biblical courses I took in the past were helpful in my career as well. I was a youth pastor when I started NBC. The classes taken then, not only helped with my role as a youth leader, but they helped me grow as a student of the Gospel. I truly believe that my experience at NBC, as a whole, will be more beneficial to me than if I attended a secular college for my degree. My relationship with God has grown immensely, and the leadership skills learned that I can apply in my secular job have the Christian and Godly values I was hungry for when taking on a local government leadership position.
I am thankful to NBC for sticking it out with me and allowing me to change and grow. I will be forever grateful to have had the privilege to attend. I pray that I will be able to touch the lives of those that serve with me and that I serve, as I venture out into this lost world and lead them with confidence.
Jason Larson, NBC Leadership and Ethics major, and Chief Zoning and Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Jacksonville, NC
Published: 10/29/2019
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