Faith-based leadership lessons came alive in a powerful and personal way this week at Cumorah Academy as Joshua and Katie Holt joined our students for a full week of teaching, connection, and inspiration. Married for 26 years, parents of three children and two sons-in-law, and longtime Utah residents, the Holts brought warmth, practical wisdom, and deep spirituality to every session they led. Their message was simple but profound: leadership grows when faith, compassion, and personal growth move together in harmony.
During their time on campus, Joshua and Katie didn’t just speak about leadership—they modeled it. Their stories, experiences, and advice resonated deeply with students, creating a week filled with growth, reflection, and joy.
Life, Career, and the Experiences That Shape Faith-Based Leadership Lessons
Joshua and Katie’s path to Cumorah Academy began long before they arrived in the Czech Republic. Their lives reflect a steady commitment to education, service, and faith. Joshua works at BYU and has built a meaningful career helping teachers evolve and improve. Passionate about technology, he hopes to increasingly apply instructional design and digital tools to enhance learning. For him, technology isn’t just convenient—it’s a powerful way to elevate teaching and help educators reach more students.
One of the most pivotal moments in his career happened at age 27, when he decided to work at BYU–Idaho. That decision opened the door to serve in significant ways, including contributing to the development of Church educational programs such as BYU Pathway. It became a defining chapter in his life—a moment when preparation met opportunity.
Katie, on the other hand, always knew she wanted to teach. As a child, she loved school so much that becoming a teacher felt natural. She built her life around helping others learn, discover, and grow, shaping young minds with patience and love.
Together, the Holts bring a lifetime of experience, service, and perspective. Their background made their faith-based leadership lessons especially meaningful to Cumorah Academy students, who connected quickly with their authenticity and openness.
When asked what makes a good leader, Joshua offered a clear and inspiring definition:
“A good leader is someone who cares for people and sets a vision for others to follow. They make decisions that move people forward.”
Katie added,
“A good leader is compassionate and follows through on what they said they would do.”
In these two descriptions, students found a blueprint for leadership rooted in love, integrity, and reliability—an approach that aligns perfectly with the spirit of Cumorah Academy.
Learning, Growing, and Navigating Change: The Heart of Faith-Based Leadership Lessons
Throughout the week, the Holts led dynamic sessions full of storytelling, practical activities, and meaningful reflection. Students responded enthusiastically, actively participating in exercises that taught them how to navigate uncertainty, make thoughtful decisions, and approach life’s transitions with confidence and faith.
Their workshops reinforced that faith-based leadership lessons are not abstract concepts—they are daily practices. Change, they explained, is not something to fear but something to understand, interpret, and navigate.
Life’s transitions, whether small or life-altering, become opportunities for growth when approached with trust in God and confidence in one’s abilities.
Students described the atmosphere in their sessions as uplifting and energizing. Activities in the morning brought everyone together, creating moments of laughter, learning, and collective insight. The Holts brought a sense of fun and joy to everything they taught—something students deeply appreciated.
Student Reflections
Lívia Gardini from Brazil shared:
“My favorite part was the dynamics they led, which got everyone involved. We learned how to navigate life’s changes and that they’re not always bad, just different. It taught us to approach them intelligently. The class made me feel more confident in handling uncertainty and change. I think it’s essential for people to know these things because it helps us grow both personally and professionally.”
Her experience perfectly captures the spirit of faith-based leadership lessons—learning how to move forward with clarity, intelligence, and trust.
Rodrigo Petrucci Maia, also from Brazil, added:
“The class made me feel more confident. It reminded me that change is normal, and that good communication can make a huge difference. I think it’s important for people to learn this because everyone faces change at work, at school, and in life, and knowing how to deal with it helps us support others and move forward with less stress.”
By the end of the week, it was clear that the Holts had helped students see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity to learn.
Advice, Purpose, and the Faith That Holds Everything Together
One of the most memorable parts of the Holts’ visit came when they shared the advice they wished they had received earlier in life. Their message resonated with every student in the room.
“Worry less and trust more. Have more faith. It always works out.”
These words, spoken with sincerity, carried the weight of lived experience. Joshua added a simple but powerful reminder:
“Don’t stop having fun.”
This combination of faith and joy formed one of the week’s most impactful faith-based leadership lessons: spiritual confidence doesn’t make life heavy—it makes it lighter, more resilient, and more hopeful.
Why They Came to Cumorah Academy—and What They Learned
When asked why they chose to come to Cumorah Academy, Katie explained:
“We came to teach what we have learned in our lives and to receive the energy and fun that the campus can offer. We want to take those feelings home with us, and we love to interact with young adults.”
Their love for teaching was evident in every workshop, every conversation, and every moment they spent with students.
The Holts also emphasized how deeply they enjoyed the natural beauty surrounding the Academy. As a couple who loves hiking and spending time outdoors, they found joy in the peaceful landscape and the spirit of the environment.
A Final Message to Cumorah Academy
As their week concluded, Joshua and Katie left students with a heartfelt message—one that will stay with them long after the semester ends:
“Continue to have confidence in yourself and continue to develop and grow. Your partnership with God will help you become greater than you can imagine. Keep your eyes on Christ. The world is ready and needs you.”
This powerful closing reminder brought together every theme from the week’s faith-based leadership lessons: trust God, stay grounded, choose growth, and move forward with courage.
Start Your Journey at Cumorah Academy
At Cumorah Academy, students don’t just learn skills—they discover who they can become. Mentors like Joshua and Katie Holt provide life-changing experiences rooted in faith, leadership, compassion, and resilience. If you’re ready to grow, learn, and step into your potential, now is your moment.
Apply today and experience your own faith-based leadership lessons that will shape your future forever.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
