"Rockford, IL will always have a special place in the story of my life. It is the origin of my career and my future family. It was the training ground for all of the tangible skills I needed to fill the ministry role I am now in. It ended up being the place I was able to minister alongside my now husband! Being a part of City First Leadership College gave me opportunities to excel and be challenged in my musicianship and leadership. I was able to direct bands for large events and lead worship in many areas of the church. I was also able to receive a degree through Southeastern University alongside 4 years of hands-on ministry training. That time and those opportunities will always be invaluable to me. Right after graduation, I was able to step into a full-time ministry role and I am now the Worship Pastor at City First Church at the Cape Coral location. As much as it was stretching, I appreciated the planned events, activities with our classes, shared meals, and fun. Those planned moments were monumental in helping me be able to accept who God made me and called me to be. The immersive experience of the Leadership College brought deep friendships into my life that I still have to this day and I will always be grateful for that. I can’t express enough how my life would have been drastically different if I had sought out this ministry training elsewhere. My time in Rockford helped me to step into my adult life with purpose, knowing what I wanted to do, and truly preparing me for it."
-Abby Krueger 

"My years at City First Leadership College taught me how to push myself outside of my comfort zone, make lifelong friends, grow in my relationship with God, and learn leadership skills needed not only for my job at City First Church, but for my life as a whole. I came into the College not really knowing what was next for my life. Before CFLC, I withdrew from all of my college course classes at Rock Valley not because I was struggling meeting the criteria, but because I knew that college life really wasn't for me. I knew there was something more that God wanted for me, but I just wasn't sure what that was yet. A few months later I heard about City First Leadership College through some of the students and the staff. I chose to take a leap of faith and trust God with what he was calling me to do. During those three years of the Leadership College I was able to take my faith to the next level and fully trust God with what He had planned for my life. I found freedom and purpose, hands-on leadership skills, and work skills. I discovered an interest in media and it turned into something that I became really passionate about and eventually made it a career at City First. City First Leadership College has shaped me into the person I am today. I’m forever grateful for the time spent there and for all the staff and students who have poured into me. The program has helped me get to the place I am at today."
-Maddie Vega

"When I came into City First Leadership College, I had no idea who I was. I was sure of only two things: I didn’t want to go to college but God had called me to serve Him. City First Leadership College was truly the best 4 years of my life for so many reasons. I learned how to pursue Jesus like never before and I met lifelong friends. I discovered the woman that God was calling me to be, as a result of this - I was hired on staff after my senior year. I now have the privilege of being on the City First Team, serving in productions and helping to set the table each and every week for people to experience what I experienced at 17 years old. Without CFLC, I don’t think I would have been able to identify who I was, or what I was called to do as quickly as I did!”
-Paige Nichols

“I can say with confidence that attending CFLC was one of the best decisions I have ever made. The amount of spiritual, personal, educational, and professional growth that I experienced is immeasurable. I was able to fully discover and hone in on so many of my gifts and talents in an environment that provided real and proficient opportunities to achieve my goals. I was able to grow in my relationship with God, and advance my ability to share the gospel on not only a personal level, but also on a massive scale. I went from a teen with a camcorder making videos in my backyard, to directing live services for hundreds of thousands of people to experience Jesus. The relationships and friendships I made will last a lifetime. I would say that CFLC is a place where anyone can find their calling and grow closer in their relationship with God.”
-Daniel Otte

"When I came to CFLC I was searching for something. Truly anything.

At that time my family had gone through a hard season and I didn’t know who I was or my purpose. I was lost, confused, and knew that this was a step of faith that God was calling me to.

City First Leadership College has dramatically changed my life. I know I wouldn’t be here today without this place. It taught me that my purpose and confidence come only from Jesus, gave me a deep love for his word and prayer, I’ve made friends that I know I will have for the rest of my life, and I met my fiancé through this program and it surrounded us with people that encourage us to live lives that honor God.

I now have the privilege of being a part of City First Worship. Through CFLC I now get the opportunity to pursue my passion for leading people in worship, writing, and helping others learn how to Stuart their gifts.

This program is something I’ll be forever grateful for. It changed my life and showed me that Jesus is the only way. “
-Tatiana Mata

"City First Leadership College will always live rent-free in my heart. Rockford is where I grew into my faith as I grew into adulthood. The Leadership College is where I learned to build my life on the bedrock of prayer, the Word, and my relationship with the Lord. I developed my closest and most valuable friendships here, I met my wife here, and I connected with my most trusted mentors during my time here. I’m deeply grateful for the four years I spent with City First Leadership College. I was offered opportunities for training and growth in my skills and interests. I was presented with challenges to my character and capability that developed me into the man I am today. The College played a pivotal role in preparing me for the world outside of the church doors. Looking back on my years, what I am most grateful for during my time in Rockford is the opportunity to learn what it means to serve the Lord’s ministry and be a part of His Church in our world. I wouldn’t trade my time in Rockford for anything, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without City First Leadership College."
-Sam Krueger