In a few short months, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities will embark on a year-long celebration of our 50th anniversary. For half a century, Christian colleges around the world have united under the banner of the CCCU, recognizing the strength that arises when we advocate together, share resources, and grow alongside one another.

As I reflect on the CCCU’s history, and look ahead to our future, I have been considering the central role of leadership formation. The Bible presents our fundamental model of leadership. Jesus, of course, serves as the ultimate example, a leader with a servant’s heart, guided always by wisdom and faithfulness. Recently, however, Dr. Mark Batterson’s book Chase the Lion has turned my attention to a lesser-known example of biblical leadership: Benaiah, one of King David’s mighty men introduced in 2 Samuel.

Benaiah earned renown through seemingly impossible acts of courage. Scripture tells us he killed two mighty warriors from Moab, struck down a lion in a pit on a snowy day, and even defeated a towering Egyptian who wielded a spear while Benaiah held only a staff. His victories were not a simple result of skill or strength, but rather of trusting God in moments when the odds were stacked against him. Because of Benaiah’s faith and courage, David honored him with the responsibility of leading his personal bodyguard.

The story of Benaiah is an excellent reminder of what it means to be a Christian leader. In today’s rapidly changing world, the call to develop faithful leaders is more urgent than ever. Preparing the next generation means cultivating minds and hearts—instilling not just strategic skills, but also spiritual maturity, biblical wisdom, and courage to follow the Lord in the face of insurmountable odds. Benaiah trusted in a God who is greater than any challenge, and he lived with a sense of divine purpose, understanding that each victory prepared him for the greater calling God had in store.

At the CCCU, we hope this approach to leadership—and to life—grows through our leadership development opportunities, which have been a cornerstone of the CCCU’s work for more than 25 years. In fact, I had the honor of participating in the very first Leadership Development Institute (LDI) in 1998. Since those early days, the CCCU has faithfully invested in these institutes each year, nurturing the capacity and character of countless emerging leaders. The fruit of these efforts is evident: from our LDIs, more than 15 college and university presidents and 45 vice presidents have gone on to serve in Christian higher education.

Before the first LDI, the CCCU held the New Presidents Institute, started by former CCCU President Bob Andringa in 1995. I again had the opportunity to benefit from the CCCU’s leadership development offerings when I became the president of Warner University in 2016. Attending the NPI was a formative experience, providing me with clarity, community, and confidence as I embarked on a challenging new role.

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In today’s rapidly changing world, the call to develop faithful leaders is more urgent than ever. Preparing the next generation means cultivating minds and hearts—instilling not just strategic skills, but also spiritual maturity, biblical wisdom, and courage to follow the Lord in the face of insurmountable odds.

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Every year, the average tenure of a college president shrinks. According to the American Council on Education’s 2023 report, in 2006, the average president had served in their position for more than eight years. Now, the average is down to five years. Challenges in today’s culture, and in higher education specifically, make this a harder time than ever to lead—whether you lead from the president’s office or any other position on campus.

The need is clear: As leaders today, we are called to raise up modern-day “lion chasers.” We must cultivate in ourselves and others the confidence that God can overcome any obstacle, the courage to face fears head-on, and the perspective that every trial shapes us for God’s greater purposes. As we reflect on Benaiah’s life, let us remember that leadership is not about avoiding difficulties but stepping into them, knowing these seemingly impossible challenges may be the very instruments God uses to write the next chapter of our calling and, through that process, to transform the world.

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David A. Hoag, Ph.D., serves as the eighth president of the CCCU.