More than 475 Chattanooga residents have 'graduated' from our Leadership Classes in the past two decades. The course centers on a Biblical worldview of life and servant leadership. This comprehensive program has been recognized nationally for its unique and life-changing result. It is designed for those in the 23-to-35 year age group of rising community leaders. The class culminates with an innovative service project and normally results in re-dedicated lifestyles centered on public service to the community.

In September 2008, the 26th Leadership21 Class began another ten week session for a select group of Christian leaders in the Chattanooga area. If you are interested in being a part of this nationally renowned leadership course, please take time to download the Application Materials or contact us directly if you have any questions at: info@chattanoogamatters.org.

The application materials outline the comprehensive and highly informative course of study and practical application. To date more than 475 individuals have completed our Leadership21 training program and most serve today as leaders in their home, place of business, church, mission field or para-church organizations as examples of spiritual servant leaders.

The next class will begin on February 6-7, 2009, with a Friday evening and Saturday retreat (required). If you are interested, you may download the application materials for the Spring 2009 Class by clicking here.

If you have any questions you may contact us at 423-756-0410 or info@chattanoogamatters.org.

We hope to hear from you!

Chattanooga Matters is the organization that works with church leaders and faith based groups to organize city-wide efforts during the annual Global Day of Prayer attended by millions around the world. We initiate strategic prayer efforts on behalf of matters in the city covering specific areas of need. We work in tandem with indigenous neighborhood leaders and churches to engender service to one another throughout the greater Chattanooga area. We also coordinate local efforts pertaining to the National Day of Prayer held throughout the United States.

We have a long record of hosting distinguished international, national and local speakers on a wide variety of topics beneficial to our city, the strengthening of the churches and individuals seeking ways to put their faith in action in their daily lives.

The events for 2008 cover a broad spectrum of issues and locations. Please keep in mind these are FREE noontime events but seating is limited and those attending must R.S.V.P. in advance. Don't miss your opportunity to hear from informative speakers covering a wide range of subjects that should be of interest to people of faith in Chattanooga. Some locations of these events are still to be determined based on seating availability. But, please keep checking back on our web site for future details.

Wednesday-March 19th: Mr. Michael Landguth, President & C.E.O. of the Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport.

Chattanooga's airport is a vital component for future economic growth in our region and each citizen can play a role in the success or failure of luring new, less expensive carriers and destinations. Under Mr. Landguth's leadership our airport has experi8enced record passenger growth but there is much more we can do as a faith-based community to support his efforts. The future quality of life in Chattanooga is served by increased air service. This also means new jobs, new opportunities for colleges and schools in the area and a host of other quality of life issues. In fact, most in the community may not even be aware that one airline now services Chattanooga with non-stop jet service to Orlando/Disney World for fares beginning as low as $39! This will be a highly informative speaker event and we urge you to join us and bring along a friend, family member or colleague. Just be sure to phone us at: 756-0410 or e-mail is at: info@chattanoogamatters.org.

Tuesday-April 15th: Chuck, John & Bruce Zeiser, the family leadership team at one of Chattanooga's oldest and most successful enterprises, Southern Champion Tray, will speak on 'WORK PLACE FAITH'. The Zeiser's are well known for their tremendous Christian witness and generosity in our community which manifests itself in servant leadership beginning in the workplace. This is an event you will not want to miss and will take place at the Southern Champion Tray site on the north shore.

Thursday-May 15th: Judge Barry Steelman, a graduate of Chattanooga Matter's Leadership Program, will speak on faith in the judicial process. This rare opportunity to visit with a very busy judge will surely be enlightening for all who attend.

Thursday-June 12th: Mr. Dan Jacobson, Vice-President for Properties with Blue Cross/Blue Shield will provide us with an up-date and tour of the monumental new facilities being constructed on historic Cameron Hill overlooking downtown Chattanooga. This is the largest construction investment ever made in Chattanooga's downtown history and will unite all area Blue Cross employees on one business campus.

Wednesday-September 17th: Former Tennessee Senator and Chattanooga native, David Fowler, will speak on the timely subject of Christians and Politics just a few weeks prior to the 2008 national election.

Wednesday-October 22nd: Mr. Tyler Owens, who produced the Chattanooga Matters video, will speak on Project God & Contemporary Filmmaking. This subject is one that should interest many of faith who realizes we live in a new age of communications and need a resource to share the Gospel and highlight lives of Christians living as servant leaders.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9th: Mr. Brian May, founder and owner of the MAY CREATE ADVERTISING AGENCY will speak on faith in the marketplace of creativity, ideas and communications.

Please plan now to attend all, or many, of these Chattanooga Forum events. Again, the events are FREE and we urge you to bring your own brown bag lunch. We must also request that you R.S.V.P. in advance to insure seating and entry. Thank you! We hope to see you all year at these events.

This initiative will identify specific Chattanooga neighborhoods which can be impacted through partnerships with churches, the business community, ministries and individuals working toward common and achievable goals. What matters to these neighborhoods matters to us. We will have more to announce about this initiative in coming months.

The most effective leadership found in any city are those individuals who are willing to give of themselves in service to others. Therefore we will coordinate efforts to meet the needs of citizens through cooperative efforts. In the past we have organized the church, businesses and education communities in helping perform volunteer work projects to improve the learning environment in public schools. We also coordinated an effort which brought thousands of dollars of free school supplies into the Chattanooga/Hamilton County classrooms. We see tasks that need doing, throughout our city, simply waiting for the hands to do them. We make sure we find the hands to do them.

This exciting new project is designed to achieve a number of goals and not the least of which is honoring the simple acts of kindness, faith and servant leadership which so typifies life in Chattanooga. In coming months we will produce and film a number of videos honoring individuals in our community, people who would likely never be recognized on the evening news or daily newspaper, who faithfully impact our city one person at a time. We believe this film series will influence Chattanooga in a positive way simply by honoring positive people who reach out to serve others. Keep watching this website as we will post the videos online so that they can be viewed and shared with a global audience.