Every July, Pennsylvania Family Institute is honored to host City on the Hill, a unique high school worldview and leadership conference designed to equip students with a biblical worldview and train them to engage courageously in today’s culture with objective truth. At its core, we are equipping the next generation of faithful leaders.
This year marks a special milestone: the 25th anniversary of City on the Hill. That’s 25 years of students being challenged, transformed, and launched into their communities better prepared to live out their faith in the public square. It’s also 25 years of proven fruit — graduates who have stepped into roles of influence across Pennsylvania and beyond, championing objective truth, a biblical worldview, and pro-family values.
Forming Faithful Leaders
Ask any alumni, and you’ll hear how powerfully this week shapes students’ lives. Many walk away with a deeper conviction that, as Lindy Joy (LJ) Brouillette puts it, “Your faith has to influence the work you produce.” LJ, who attended in 2021 and 2022, first heard about City on the Hill through her church and homeschool co-ops. Today, she’s already working in the Pennsylvania Capitol, grateful for how the program prepared her to navigate the political realm as a Christian.
LJ’s story is just one of many. Jackson Clough, who attended in 2021 and 2022, described City on the Hill as a week of “spiritual formation,” noting that his favorite part was “the fellowship with like-minded peers while spending a whole week together.” Jackson is now in college, serving as a resident director and chairman of the student athlete advisory committee — roles where he continues to influence others for Christ.
Daniel Hostetter, a 2019 attendee, remembers the worship night, the talent show, and the trip to the Capitol among his favorite experiences. But beyond the memories, he says, “City on the Hill is one of the best college preparation programs for students to be involved in.” Today, he’s preparing to pastor a church, eager to equip his future congregation to think biblically about cultural issues.
Influencing Careers and Communities
For many alumni, City on the Hill isn’t just a one-week experience; it’s a launching pad for a lifetime of faithful influence.
2001 alumnus Matt Batzel served as National Executive Director of American Majority, and he now works in the Trump administration. He shared:
“City on the Hill was a powerful experience for me as it challenged my worldview and helped fuel my passion to make a difference in the political realm to improve people’s lives. I grew in my faith as a Christian and learned important knowledge to help me in my career. COTH also equipped me to better defend my views when I went to Franklin & Marshall College that fall.”
Alina Dusharm, an attorney recently honored with the PA Bar Association Pro Bono Award, attended the very first City on the Hill 25 years ago. She still points back to it as foundational:
“Through this camp, I was provided valuable information about our system of government, learned ways to use my faith to impact my communities and our society, while also being given opportunities to gain confidence in speaking out my beliefs, and developing humility in engaging with others.”
Describing City on the Hill in one word, she chose: “Enriching.” It was, she says, “a great opportunity for me at a time in my life where I was seeking ways to follow God’s calling on my life and impact my community for Christ.”
For Annie Celotto (2002-2003), City on the Hill was the spark that inspired her to major in government and pursue a career in politics. But unlike most political training, she says, City on the Hill “equipped me with the tools to form a strong Biblical worldview.”
Jessica Wollum (2013-2015) shared, “Attending City on the Hill was one of the best decisions I have made, and it allowed me to grow spiritually, grow politically, and make some wonderful friends. It even impacted where I went to college!”
Elliot Neff (2008-2010), who went on to teach humanities at a private Christian school, reflected:
“City on the Hill changed my world. I learned about the processes of legislation within our government (both from PA Family Institute staff as well as from lawyers and others working within the state capitol), listened to incredible speakers that challenged my faith, and, to my pleasant surprise, gave me much insight into the realm of apologetics.”
And Jacob Reese (2021-2022), now a senior at Grove City College, credits City on The Hill with shaping his academic path and building a professional network that continues to bless him. “City on the Hill…helped orient my undergraduate studies and provided me with an instant network at Grove City College. My time at City on the Hill was an unparalleled, unforgettable blessing that yields dividends to this day.”
A Resource For Intentional Parents
In a world increasingly hostile to biblical truth, many parents understandably worry about how to prepare their teens to discern truth from lies in a broken culture. City on the Hill tackles that head-on. It’s a full week of hands-on learning. Students write and debate bills, defend their positions on the House floor, learn from Christian attorneys and legislators, and grow through small group Bible studies and times of worship through their time at City on the Hill.
It’s also a place where students find lasting encouragement. As LJ Brouillette put it, “Going to City on the Hill, meeting peers who felt the same way I did, finding your foundation in Christ, and wanting to impact the world around us was very encouraging. It helped me go further in my aspirations to start big things and impact the world.”
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate 25 years of City on the Hill, we look back with gratitude for all God has done. And we look forward with a strong vision and confidence that He will continue to use this program to raise up the next generation of family, church, and community leaders who will courageously champion objective truth, live out a biblical worldview, and faithfully serve the Lord for the good of others.
If you’re a parent looking for a resource for your teen to grow in their understanding of truth and prepare to live out their faith in the public square, City on the Hill is the solution.
We’re confident God will continue to bless this program for many years to come, using it to equip young men and women to stand firm and shine bright — like a city on a hill — in the midst of a dark, confused world.
You can make a difference
Our youth programs like City on the Hill require significant investment, and are only possible because of generous supporters like you. We invite you to partner with us in investing in the next generation of leaders grounded in truth. Click here to make a donation in support of this vital work or visit our website at pafamily.org, and click on the donate button in the top right corner.
And if you’ve ever wondered whether your support of PA Family is making a difference, let me assure you, it is.
The next generation is rising. And they’re ready.
