Mark Russell, Church Army's young new Chief Executive, has returned to the place where he served as youth leader with a plea to put Jesus first in making decisions about life's priorities.

Addressing over 150 young people between the ages of 15 and 22 at a young leaders conference held at St Andrews Church in Chorleywood, Russell, 32, shared something of the experience of well-known figures in following their visions.

Russell said, "Most people who accomplish significant achievements are visionaries.

"Alexander the Great had a vision to conquer the world. Thomas Edison had a vision for the light bulb. Walt Disney had a vision for a massive entertainment park. Martin Luther King had a vision for a land where all people could be free."

He added: "Richard Branson had a vision to start an airline; Wilson Carlile had a vision to found a society to reach the least the last and the lost with the transforming good news of Jesus Christ. That society is the Church Army, which 125 years later I have now the privilege of leading. All these visions have been realised. Visionaries succeed because they see a vision which drives them forward."

Russell concluded, "You see, life can either be a random journey without real direction, or it can be an adventure, reaching for a goal, and with a purpose. It is vision that makes the difference."

Mark Russell who had been a youth leader at the IMPACT Youth Ministry at Christ Church Chorleywood for six years was invited back to be a speaker at the annual young leaders conference.

At the conference, he highlighted the work of Church Army, in particular, the new global gap year initiative, which will give young people the opportunity to serve God and their community both at home and abroad for a year.

More information about the Global Gap Year can be found at: www.churcharmy.org.uk/gapyear