Leadership Training for Christ is on ongoing year-around program of instruction, preparation, and development of youth in local churches in several areas of Christian leadership and service. To celebrate the growth of our youth in their chosen disciplines and to provide a forum for constructive evaluation and critique, an annual convention of churches and participants is held. LTCSW holds its annual convention on Easter weekend.
DoubleTree Resort at Paradise Valley (Scottsdale, AZ)
The 2025 Convention of Leadership Training Southwest will be held at DoubleTree Resort at Paradise Valley, in Scottsdale, Arizona. DoubleTree has extended us a negotiated discounted rate of $199.00 per room night (plus a tax rate of 13.17%).
Reservations at DoubleTree Resort at Paradise Valley by visiting this BOOKING LINK (this site is operated by Hilton, not LTCSW). The booking link for our 2025 Convention will be active for use in October 2024.
Cost to Attend the LTCSW Convention
Registration as a youth participant in LTCSW is a $100.00 fee that includes participation in pre-convention events and convention events, a convention shirt, an awards plague, and costs related to the staging of the convention. This fee does NOT include overnight lodging at the DoubleTree Resort or meals. Those costs are the responsibility of churches and/or their members. There is NO cost to attend the LTCSW convention events as a spectator.
2025 LTCSW Convention Schedule
Involvement Opportunities at the LTCSW convention
Judging Events: With a slate of 20 events held at convention, and several sessions held for most events, the LTCSW convention has literally hundreds of judging positions to be filled. It is preferable that willing judges pre-register before the convention, but last minute stand-ins are also needed. Information about judging can be found on the Event Rules & Forms Page.
C.H.A.R.Mers: The acronym stands for Christian Hall And Room Monitors, and these are volunteers who help the LTCSW convention in many ways, including help to set up event rooms, running crowd control during event sessions, controlling access to event rooms during sessions, running errands, giving directions, and more. C.H.A.R.Mers must be at least 18 years of age. To serve as a C.H.A.R.Mer, please contact (CHARMer coordinator).
Encouraging Spectators: Family, friends, and fellow church members are welcome to attend the LTCSW convention to cheer on and encourage youth participants. All non-participants attending the LTCSW convention must “check-in” with their church coordinator and must wear an ID tag while on the resort property.
Recognitions Made at the LTCSW Convention
Ernie & Vivia Simmons Award: The award is named in memory of Ernie & Vivia Simmons, a couple largely instrumental in the creation of LTCSW. Visit the link to read more about this amazing couple and the award named for them.
LTCSW Shirt Design Contest: Each year, youth registered in LTCSW are invited to submit original artwork for consideration as the design featured on the annual convention shirt. Visit the link for information about this contest.
College Scholarships: Each year, universities associated with Churches of Christ offer scholarships to LTCSW participants who are in their junior or senior year of high school. The hyperlink above will access the scholarship application form.
Activities that Comprise the LTCSW Convention
Event Sessions: These are the primary reason for the convention. Sessions are scheduled for each of the performance-oriented convention events. Participants in these events are given the opportunity to demonstrate the skills that they have learned before a panel of judges and a room filled with supporting family and friends. Most event sessions are 50 minutes in length and are scheduled beginning at 2:00 p.m. on Friday thru mid-afternoon on Saturday.
Opening Assembly: This is a special time held early on Friday evening with all of the church groups gathered for a time of worship, introductions and information, and a flag ceremony, where each congregation is introduced.
Friday Night Live: This is a time of worship scheduled at the close of Friday.
Church Coordinators Meeting: This is a session for church coordinators and the LTCSW Board of Directors to discuss the convention and to provide an opportunity for questions and suggestions.
Ministers & Elders Meet-and-Greet: This is a session for church leaders to meet one another and to fellowship together.
Senior Recognition: This is a session held late in the afternoon on Saturday for graduating high school seniors and their families. Seniors will be recognized for their accomplishments with LTCSW and encouraged in their future endeavors.
Celebration: This Saturday evening event is a highlight of the convention weekend. It is indeed a celebration of the participants and their hard work. Celebration is a showcase of the best of the convention, with a sampling of exemplary performances from the weekend.
Sunday Worship: The LTCSW convention ends with an early morning worship service, including the observance of the Lord’s Supper, singing, prayers, and messages led entirely by young men chosen from among the convention participants.