ACSI Podcasts

Jenn Lindemuth is the Curriculum Director of Chang Rai International Christian School in Thailand. She sits down with ACSI Chief Ministry Officer Dr. Gavin Brettenny to discuss the makeup of her school and her journey in Christ-centered education. Chang Rai International Christian School:  https://crics.asia/  

Dr. Tim Padgett, Resident Theologian with the Colson Center, and Megan Almon, a speaker with Stand to Reason, are both keynote presenters at the upcoming Rooted Educator Worldview Summit (June 15-17 in Colorado Springs). They share pieces of what they will speak on at the Summit; to register, visit acsi.org/rooted.

Douglas Campbell, Senior Coordinator with the ACSI Ministry Team, hosts this edition of the Grafted Together Podcast alongside two members of the ACSI Spiritual Formation Network, Courtney Crenshaw and Brayden Brown.   Courtney Crenshaw leads a team of five youth pastors at Liberty Christian School in Argyle, Texas. She is passionate about intentional discipleship of the next generation, equipping...

"You can't just sprinkle Jesus dust on an otherwise secular education." Noah Brink joins the Grafted Together Podcast and shares how Franklin Christian Academy (TN) prepares students for God's calling by teaching Christianly. Noah Brink has spent the past twenty-three years serving in a wide range of roles within Christian schools and currently serves as the Head of School at Franklin Christian Sc...

It's not an add-on: the real work of forming a biblical worldview takes a systematic approach at each Christian school. Billy Hutchinson, Director of Colson Educators with the Colson Center, shares insights and resources.   LINKS: To learn more about Colson Educators visit, https://colsoneducators.org/ Educators get 50% off your Colson Fellows program at http://www.colsonfellows.org For more free...

As an admissions specialist, Angie St. Pierre sees how spiritual formation begins with the very first interaction, ensuring that Christ is central in every aspect of the school experience. She joins Jerry Nelson to discuss how every moment with parents and students is treated as a ministry opportunity, with a focus on building relationships and pointing families toward Christ—even if they don’t ul...

This episode features Dr. Adam Wilson, speaker at the Secure & Sound Mental Health Symposium (May 1 in Denver, with a virtual option as well), and Elizabeth Urbanowicz, speaker at the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit (June 15-17 in Colorado Springs). Register for the Secure & Sound Mental Health Symposium at acsi.org/secure Register for the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit at acsi.org/root...

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to move beyond the typical “my door is always open” promise and truly create an environment where people feel safe, heard, and encouraged to speak openly. Watch this episode on YouTube! The Flourishing Journey podcast explores strategies for building a thriving school culture through research and practical application. The show is hosted...

This episode is from a recent meeting of ACSI Early Educators in which Jerry Nelson spoke to the group about a biblical approach to current cultural beliefs on gender.  To connect with the ACSI Early Education team, please visit  https://www.acsi.org/academic-programs/early-education/early-education-network

Nathan Stark, founder of FolioBridge, shares his journey from a new teacher with no classroom structure to a leader passionate about systems thinking in education. Nathan Stark is a 16-year educator with experience across both public and private education, having served as a classroom teacher, district trainer, PLC and team leader, county History Fair coordinator, and as an assistant principal wit...

Dr. Sean McDowell, keynote speaker at the upcoming Rooted Educator Worldview Summit, joins the podcast to discuss Rooted, how to encourage questions in your classroom, and the impact of Christian education when done right—or wrong. To register for the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit this June 15-17 in Colorado Springs, CO, visit acsi.org/rooted

Should we consider a faith-informed form of risk and reward for educators who choose to teach in a population other than their own? How can leaders navigate the tension between pursuing a more diverse culture while fostering belonging for both staff and students? John Murray, Head of School at Brookstone Schools (NC), joins the podcast with Jerry Nelson. With 31 years in Christian education–23 yea...

What does it mean to be a Christlike teacher? Kevin Miller, Director of Spiritual Life at Cincinnati Christian Schools, joins the Grafted Together Podcast, with Douglas Campbell hosting. Kevin began his ministry in Christian education in 2014 at Cincinnati Christian Schools as a biblical studies teacher. In 2020, at home because of COVID lockdowns, he finished his Doctor of Ministry degree with Ch...

Tatiana Smith, the Superintendent’s Assistant for the Enlightium School System Agency, discusses the evolution of Christian education, the role of international and distance learning models, and more. Tatiana Smith serves as the Superintendent’s Assistant for the Enlightium School System Agency, an international, accredited private Christian school district. In this role, she supports administrati...

Deon Parker rejoins the Grafted Together Podcast to discuss biblical themes stemming from the recent ACSI Biblical Unity Summit. Deon is the author of ChristiUnity: The History of God-authored Unity as well as Biblical Unity: It Takes You And Me. Deon Parker has spent over two decades in vocational Christian ministry–primarily in pastoral ministry. He is currently serving as the Director of Biblic...

When a school leader gets fired up about the right things, transformation happens. Dr. Cy Smith joins Jerry Nelson to discuss practical ways for spiritual formation directors to influence students. Dr. Cy Smith is the Superintendent of Mansfield Christian School and a national leader in Christian education. As host of the Clearly Christian Podcast, he challenges cultural drift, highlights the impo...

Jerry Nelson discusses Gospel-centered racial reconciliation with Dr. James Noble, the Vice President for the Center of Community, Dignity, and Inclusive Campus Family at Anderson University (SC), and the Pastor of Kingdom Community Church of Anderson. Dr. Noble earned his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy degree from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of Race and...

Why do some students seem to be ready for leadership but don't take the initiative, and what can we do about it? Emily Pigott has insights on what leads to the leadership gap and how educators can help bridge it. -- Do you read the quarterly Student Leadership & Learning newsletters? Subscribe at www.acsi.org/subscribe The Student Leadership & Learning Podcast aims to help create enriching...

What would happen if our desire for more parental involvement extended beyond the child's academics to something of greater worth? Dr. Toyin Atolagbe shares how parental engagement shapes spiritual formation. Dr. Toyin Atolagbe serves as Executive Director of Great Hearts Christos, a private Christian classical school with campuses in Phoenix and Gilbert, Arizona. Previously, she led Archway Linco...

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to recognize the crucial role that middle leaders serve as the "bridge" between upper-level leadership and staff. The Flourishing Journey podcast explores strategies for building a thriving school culture through research and practical application. The show is hosted by Dr. Edward Bunn, ACSI's Director of Professional Development. The AC...

Dr. Chuck Fuller, Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson University, shares his transition from pastoral ministry to higher Christian education and identifies traits of "good" and "the right" types of education. Dr. Chuck Fuller serves as Director of the Honors College and Associate Professor of Christian Studies at Anderson University. A native of Kentucky, Dr. Fuller came to AU in...

How does someone in charge of spiritual formation build a team to ensure growth continues beyond themself? Are you a spiritual formation lone ranger? Dr. David Brinkley, Director of Spiritual Life at Rosslyn Academy in Kenya, has helpful insights. David is the Director of Spiritual Life at Rosslyn Academy, a Christian international school in Nairobi serving about 700 students from over 50 nations....

Hear a snippet of Trevin Wax's presentation at the 2026 FSi Dallas, learn more about the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship, and hear how God is working through ACSI Europe. For more on the Federal Tax Credit Scholarship, visit everystudenteverystate.org and childrenstuitionfund.org

To discuss how underserved students have been transformed by Christian education, Jonathon Basurto joins the Grafted Together Podcast. Jonathon is the Principal at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy South Campus in Tucson, AZ, the first school in the nation that is Christian, Classical, Covenantal, and Dual Language. He has been in education and educational leadership for over fifteen years. He serves...

What is the responsibility of leaders to invest in the spiritual formation of the employees they steward? Chris Loncar, ACSI's VP of Human Resources, discusses how organizations should care for their most important asset: people. Chris Loncar is the VP of Human Resources at ACSI. He spent the first 10 years of his calling as a pastor before transitioning to the human resources field, a blend that...