Emerge Leadership Academy; Changing Lives

In 2012, Pastor Steve Vaggalis of  Destiny Worship Center (DWC)  in Miramar Beach had a vision to start a program that would create next-generation leaders for the local church, and the world. Since then, Emerge Leadership Academy has been doing just that. Emerge exists to cultivate the leadership capacity of the next generation ministers and leaders Emerge is a nine-month intensive training program designed to disciple, train, equip, and launch single young leaders into the ministry or field to which they have been called. As a ministry of Destiny Worship Center, Emerge students not only get to participate in classes, they also get the opportunities to serve in the ministry of the church during the week and weekend. There are numerous ministry opportunities here at DWC , whether it’s operating a camera during our services, or teaching kids in the  children’s ministry.  And because of our partnership with the church, we are not only able to serve our own congregation, but we are also equipped to provide support to our region through community outreach. Once a week, our Emerge interns are deployed to two locations; the Grand Boulevard Health and Rehabilitation Center and Food for Thought in Santa Rosa Beach. It’s been amazing to be able to partner with local businesses and serve those around us, whether that’s an elderly person or hungry kids in our school system. Emerge and Destiny also serve and help put on the Crestview Food Pantry (a monthly ministry that blesses citizens of Crestview with food donations). But it doesn’t stop there. Emerge is also globally minded. Every year, the graduating class goes on a mission trip to a foreign country to provide aid and preach the Gospel. We’ve recently returned from the Dominican Republic where we saw God touch many lives including our own. Emerge Leadership Academy was created with the mission of building up young leaders to impact the world, and one of the primary ways we do this is through service. Whether it’s in our church, our region, or our world; Emerge is committed to making a difference in the lives of our students, which in turn makes a difference for everyone else.