Highlights from the Inaugural TeenPact Business

We are excited to share the success of the new addition to the TeenPact Alumni Events—TeenPact Business! Held at Grand Canyon University’s Phoenix campus from June 17-22, 2024, this event proved to be a transformative experience for the 37 alumni who attended. 

Exploring God’s Design for Business

TeenPact Business inspired students to discover their God-given talents and abilities. In a society that often separates faith from economics, this event provided a better understanding of God’s plan for business. Students gained a vision for how to participate in His work through excellent business practices.

Throughout the week, participants learned how to turn a business idea into reality. By joining a team, students built their businesses from the ground up, improving their skills in strategic planning, budgeting, and marketing. With guidance from experienced mentors, they crafted business plans and presented them to a panel of judges in a final competition.

A Week of Growth

TeenPact Business wasn’t just about learning business skills; it was about shaping future leaders who are servant-hearted and influential. Program Director Quinton Cools shared, “Our world needs godly men and women who have been ignited by Christ-centered joy. We need these godly men and women to lead in every area of a moral society which means we need them in business. Our goal is to train them to biblically and effectively engage their culture at a time in their lives when typically they would not care about such things. TeenPact Business brought together the best facilitators to inspire and train these students, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. Our students were eager to engage God’s Word and God’s world through the lens of entrepreneurial business. My prayer is that the next generation of leaders would confidently steward their God-given talents, building businesses for the glory of God!”

Assistant Program Director Karlyn Sullivan added, “Watching students grow throughout the week was incredible. They started with an idea and left with a comprehensive business plan and a deeper understanding of their role in God’s plan for economic flourishing.”

Mentorship and Real-World Insights

Participants benefited from the expertise of seasoned professionals. Businessman and TeenPact parent Daxs Stadjuhar helped create this event and also taught various elements of the program over the five-day schedule. He remarked, “TeenPact Business gave students real-world insights into the foundational aspects of creating and operating a small business while grounding their endeavors in Biblical principles. The event was a powerful combination of worship, devotion, leadership, and business acumen that we developed to prepare them for success in all areas of life.”

Administrative Director Evie Erickson highlighted the importance of mentorship. “Our mentors helped students discover their entrepreneurial abilities and apply godly wisdom in their work and life. This mentorship is crucial in shaping not just competent businesspeople, but Christ-centered leaders.”

Parent/Chaperone Testimonials

Robin Moore from North Carolina shared, “This is an amazing event. My husband and I talked about how great it is to teach the kids that loving the Lord means their lives are a ministry. It doesn’t necessarily mean being in something that is called a ministry – but being a light in the world. This event seems like a snapshot of a business degree. They really get to see how they can fit their faith into that world. It’s uncanny how many things have lined up with where our son is in his life and how God is dealing with him recently. Then we come here and Quinton is discussing those same conversations we’ve been having for the past few weeks.”

Tim Znamenacek from California said, “I’m very, very impressed – like I’ve been getting my own business/entrepreneur MBA in a compressed amount of time. The quality of the event is really high. It was way beyond what I expected. I had never chaperoned any other TeenPact event, but the quality of the kids and the experience is where I want my kids to hang out. I was personally drawn to the topic and really wanted to come.”

Ben Roberts from Florida noted, “The students are really engaged and excited to learn, and they are having lots of fun doing it. This is making a difference in their lives – they are being treated like adults here and see a value in their future. It seems like a crash course in an MBA program. Our family serves in TeenPact as an investment in our kids’ lives, to build character and their friend network that will continue to help build them.”

David Myhre remarked, “I chose to come to Business because my son was interested in this topic as he is considering the avenue of being a business owner. My impression is that it is top-notch. I’m learning things that I learned in college, but it’s coming from a Christian worldview that’s giving these topics a sense of purpose that just wasn’t there for me when I was studying business years ago. This experience is very much worth the cost. My son and I haven’t had an opportunity to sit down and discuss it yet, but I think that he’s learning the sense of communication, being part of a team, and learning and growing together.”

Student Testimonials

• “I learned so, so much! It was absolutely amazing, everyone was super helpful, and the staff was amazing! I can’t wait to sign up again!”
• “Business really inspired me to think about how I could actually start a business.”
• “I am in a big period of transitions right now, and God really used this event to speak to me and teach me in a lot of ways.”
• “I grew in business skills, learned a lot, and got much better at teamwork.”
• “This was an amazing experience – being able to come to Arizona, tour this college, and learn so much. Thank you guys so much.”
• “This training has given me a new and different perspective on business, as well as how I approach my education and future career wherever I end up.”
• “This experience has taught me a basic understanding of business and motivated me to step up and take opportunities for leadership.”
• “This week has definitely impacted my life! I have learned a lot and grown in many areas. I’ve particularly learned how to interact as a team better and will take the skills and things I have learned this week with me throughout my future. I feel much more equipped to go into the business world after learning from this event!”
• “It has given me so many resources for starting a business and learning much about myself.”

Launching Careers with TeenPact Business

Whether students dream of starting their own businesses or assisting others in theirs, TeenPact Business equipped them with the tools and insights needed to succeed. As they learned about the nature and purpose of work, economics, and human flourishing from a Biblical perspective, they were inspired and prepared to apply godly wisdom in their careers.

The inaugural TeenPact Business Alumni Event was an unforgettable week of growth, learning, and community. We look forward to seeing the incredible businesses and leaders that will emerge from TeenPact Business 2024.