Forming young leaders with faith, character, and real-world skills
Many Detroit Area Students and Supporters – Banquet on their work to be held on Oct 2nd
Click for details: https://ssionline.org/banquet/ We will be there ! Richard & Theresa Dalton
Origins & Mission
SSI began in the early 1990s with a simple idea from founder James Muffett: give teens a hands-on taste of civic leadership while rooting them in a Biblical worldview. The organization was formally established in that period, and its flagship summer program launched in the mid-1990s.
From its Lansing base, SSI equips high school students to lead with integrity—integrating faith, citizenship, and practical leadership.
Signature Programs
- LEAD Summer Program — A week-long, high-energy experience featuring authentic simulations in legislative, media, judicial, campaign, and business fields—guided by Christian professionals. Students learn teamwork, critical thinking, public speaking, and strategic planning while practicing leadership in realistic settings.
- Ambassador League — A year-long “Christian statesman’s version of Eagle Scout,” where students read, research, observe, serve, and take action in their communities to deepen character and leadership habits.
- LEAD Online & On-the-Road — Adaptable formats that bring SSI’s simulations to students across Michigan and beyond.
Campus Partnerships & Growth
For more than two decades (1995–2018), Great Lakes Christian College hosted LEAD, even offering a full-tuition scholarship to one SSI alum per year from 2012–2017—evidence of higher-ed confidence in SSI’s preparation of students.
Measurable Impact
SSI’s annual reach typically includes hundreds of students through multiple week-long sessions. Recent years have seen around 250–270 students attending LEAD annually, plus additional participation through the Ambassador League. These are tangible pipelines for developing articulate, service-minded young citizens.
Alumni Pathways & Community
Graduates go on to serve in policy, law, communications, ministry, business, and campus leadership—benefiting from SSI’s mentoring network, internships, and speaker connections. Active alumni communities and recurring speaker panels showcase that ongoing ecosystem.
Leadership & Location
SSI’s founder, James Muffett, remains a champion for training young leaders, and Joseph Cecil, an SSI alum, serves as President—bridging alumni experience with organizational leadership. SSI’s office is at 4407 W. St. Joe Hwy, Lansing, MI 48917.
Why SSI Matters
In a moment when many students feel disconnected from public life, SSI offers a constructive alternative: learn by doing, lead with conviction, and serve your community. With decades of steady impact, trusted partners, and a program design that’s both rigorous and uplifting, SSI continues to raise up young Michiganders who are ready to contribute—thoughtfully, courageously, and with purpose.
