How Christians engage in politics does not always represent Christ well. Because of this, some people reject the Christian faith altogether. But we believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is beautiful and has the power to transform every aspect of our world — including the ways Christians engage in politics and the policies that impact the most vulnerable.

The 2025 Christian Student Leadership Conference is for Christian college students who want to bring God’s light and the good news to our nation and our world. Not for the faint-hearted, faithful advocacy requires “work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

At the 2025 Christian Student Leadership Conference, you will learn more about issues dominating our culture’s conversations and how to effectively advocate for much-needed reforms. This includes not only what issues we advocate for, but how we advocate for them. This week-long conference will equip and train you to join a new generation of faithful advocates who are motivated by love for others and sustained by the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Faithful advocacy is not for the faint-hearted. It requires “work produced by faith, labor prompted by love, and endurance inspired by hope”

(1 Thessalonians 1:3).

Conference Details (*subject to change for 2025 event)

Travel

Participants are responsible to cover and arrange travel to/from Washington, D.C.

Food

Breakfast and dinner meals are included in the registration rate. Participants are responsible to cover lunch meals.

Pricing & Payment

Payment is not required through the online registration process. Rather, payment is mailed directly to the NAE office at:

National Association of Evangelicals
ATTN: CSLC
P.O. Box 23269
Washington, DC 20026

Universities that send more than one student are required to collect fees from their students and mail one check to the NAE office. Students from schools that send more than one student should contact their school’s point of contact for the conference.

Registration costs are based on how many people will be sharing your hotel room and whether you are a student at an NAE member school. Contact the NAE office if aren’t sure whether your school is a member.

The pricing is based on the 2024 conference and is subject to change.

4 people per room
NAE member – $675
Non-member – $695

3 people per room
NAE member – $780
Non-member – $800

2 people per room
NAE member – $895
Non-member – $915

Single room
NAE member – $1275
Non-member – $1295

Cancellation Policy

All cancellation requests must be made in writing. An 85% refund will be granted when the cancellation request is received 15 business days prior to the event. A 50% refund will be granted if the request is received between 14 and 7 business days prior to the event. No refunds will be granted if the request is received with fewer than 7 business days prior to the event.

Any cancellation request received fewer than 15 business days prior to the event (or after the event date has passed) due to an extenuating circumstance may be reviewed. Extenuating circumstances can be (but are not limited to) a death in the family, documented positive COVID-19 test, etc. If the event is canceled by the NAE, registrants will be extended a full refund (100%).

FAQs

Q: What is the schedule for the week?

A: Due to the nature of Washington, D.C., and the ever-changing schedules of those who speak at the conference, we are not able to send out a conference schedule before the conference. Students will receive the schedule at registration. Here’s the 2024 program (the most recent in-person conference) to give you an idea of what you can expect.

Q: Who will be speaking at the CSLC 2025?

A: Good question. We invite a wide variety of voices — from across the political spectrum — to the table. We also invite high-level government leaders whose schedules change so quickly we are not always able to get confirmation until the week before the conference. For this reason, we can’t tell you who will be speaking at this point, but we can show you the 2024 program (the most recent in-person conference) to give you an idea of what you can expect.

Q: How do I pay?

A: If you are a student from a school that is sending several students, contact your school’s point person on the conference to mail payment. If are not coming with a school group, you can mail a check directly to the NAE office (P.O. Box 23269, Washington, DC 20026)

Q: Who will be in my hotel room?

A: The NAE staff does its best to put students in rooms with other students from their school.

Q: What kind of ID will I need?

A: Everyone will need a government-issued picture form of identification to enter some of the buildings. If you will need something else, we will be sure to alert you before traveling to Washington.

Q: What is the dress code?

A: Dress code for each event will be business attire, but please keep in mind there is substantial walking during the days and the weather can be a factor. Wear comfortable shoes.

Q: What have other students said about the CSLC?

A: Find out who has attended the conference from your school in a past year, and ask! Often we hear comments from students, like Wesley Wilson of Southern Wesleyan University, who said, “The Christian Student Leadership Conference was a week I will never forget. Overall it was an enlightening experience that far exceeded any study I had received in American politics.”

Q:  What type of Covid restrictions will be in place?

A:  Right now there are no restrictions in place regarding distancing, vaccination or pre-testing.  We will follow the rules of the federal government and the District of Columbia. Those rules are subject to change. Please check back for any updates. If any restrictions significantly change, we will update all registrants via email. The event does require students and faculty to be in close quarters for an extended period of time. If you have health concerns regarding Covid, you should consider those before registering for the event.

Past Speakers

We invite a wide variety of voices — from across the political spectrum — to the table. We also invite high-level government leaders whose schedules change so quickly we are not always able to get confirmation until the week before the conference. For this reason, we can’t guarantee who will be speaking at this year’s conference. Here is a list of some speakers from the recent CSLCs: 

Nicole Baker Fulgham
Chaplain Barry Black
Sen. Sherrod Brown
Sen. Bill Cassidy
Eugene Cho
Rep. Liz Cheney
Rep. James Clyburn
David French
Justin Giboney
Shirley Hoogstra
Sen. Tim Kaine
Rep. Adam Kinzinger
Walter Kim
Sen. James Lankford
Russell Moore
Sen. Marco Rubio
Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar
Sen. Tim Scott
Ed Stetzer
Rep. Chris Stewart
Barbara Williams-Skinner
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse

Past Speakers

Walter Kim

NAE President

Sen. James Lankford

U.S. Senate

Justin Giboney

Attorney and Political Strategist

Jessica Moerman

Vice President of Science & Policy for Evangelical Environmental Network

Rep. Maria Salazar

U.S. House of Representatives

Rev. Barry Black

U.S. Senate Chaplain

Sen. Tim Scott

U.S. Senate

Teresa Cardinal Brown

Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Contact

If you have any questions about the Christian Student Leadership Conference, please contact Jennifer Haglof, NAE senior director of projects & events.

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testimonial

“I went to the conference to better understand how politicians navigate complicated policy issues in an increasingly polarizing country. I returned with a greater idea of how to promote unity at the intersection of faith and politics. The conference deepened my calling to be a public servant and the desire to elevate the voices of young believers to lead the next generation.”

Jessica Trowell

Student