Franciscan L.E.A.D. is a dynamic Catholic leadership opportunity for teens who are ready to step up to the next level in leadership, evangelization, and discipleship.  It is directed and facilitated by well-training young adults and youth ministers who will equip and empower high school youth to be a witness for the Catholic faith and prepare them for ongoing service in evangelization.

The week is rooted in the truths of Scripture, the Sacraments, the lives of the Saints, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  Each day consists of workshops on discipleship, including how to develop a prayer life, overcoming sin through the Sacraments, and the practical tools for developing their Catholic faith.  The week also offers tools and training to enable them to answer difficult faith questions thoughtfully and accurately in order to become an effective and authentic witness, to share their personal testimony, and to develop a quality of servant leadership.

Franciscan L.E.A.D. is for youth who are passionate about their Catholic faith, active in their youth group, and are ready to step up to the next level of leadership through evangelization and discipleship training.

Franciscan L.E.A.D. training begins Monday evening before the Steubenville South Conference and runs through Friday afternoon.  On Friday evening, after spending the afternoon greeting and assisting arriving youth groups, Franciscan L.E.A.D. participants join their group for the weekend.  Therefore, each L.E.A.D. participant must be a registered conference participant with his or her group for the Steubenville South Conference weekend.

The program is led by a team of leaders who are experienced in youth ministry, and have been specifically trained by the Youth Outreach Office at Franciscan University of Steubenville.

The step-by-step process and link to the application can be found at www.steubenvilleconferences.com/lead.  Upon completion of the first part of the application by the teen, an email is automatically sent to their referral person with a link to the online referral form.

NOTE: Review the application procedure page before beginning to ensure that all needed information is readily available.

We are sad to announce that the Franciscan L.E.A.D. program for Steubenville South has been cancelled for 2021.  We look forward to hosting this leadership opportunity again in the future, and encourage anyone interested to review all application information.  

Franciscan L.E.A.D. applicants must be in the range of completion of their freshman year of high school through completion of their senior year in high school.

No.  One of the values of Franciscan L.E.A.D. is for participants to use their newly acquired skills and insights to serve their fellow group members during the youth conference weekend.  Participants must be registered at the same Steubenville Youth Conference as their group.

In addition to training in discipleship and evangelization, L.E.A.D. participants also receive a resource book, official program t-shirt, lodging, and meals throughout the program week, as well as transportation to the conference site.

The L.E.A.D. program cost does not include the registration fee for the Steubenville South Conference weekend or transportation to and from the program site.  Options for payment may be available through sponsorship by the participant's parish or parish youth group for full or partial cost.

Upon acceptance into the program, participants are responsible for arranging their own travel to the L.E.A.D. site and notifying the Steubenville South Conference Office at info@steubenvillesouth.com of their travel plans.  If the participant is flying to the location, we will provide transportation from the airport on Monday.

We will provide transportation to the conference site on Friday for all Franciscan L.E.A.D. participants.  They will join their group prior to the start of the conference on Friday.

Yes.  However, youth must go through the application process again, and priority is given to new applicants.  Previous participation in Franciscan L.E.A.D. does not guarantee acceptance.