Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss how to recognize when our mission begins to drift and explore strategies for helping our teams stay aligned with the school’s Christ-centered mission. 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 ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Simon Jeynes, Co-Founder of Christian School Management, discusses cultural shifts in and around Christian education, and more. Watch this episode on YouTube!--The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine-style format.

Douglas Campbell hosts an episode with three major contributors to ACSI's Spiritual Formation Network meetings: Laurie LaFon, Sean Englert, and Sam Farinacci. HOST BIOS: Laurie LaFon received her bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and has been part of the Lucas Christian Academy community for over 22 years, with three of her four children graduating from LCA. Before becoming Director of Student Life eight years ago, she served in many volunteer roles and has spent more than 15 years in youth ministry. Laurie oversees the spiritual formation of students in grades 7–12 through chapel, retreats, small group discipleship, and leadership development programs such as student council and cross-grade mentoring. She also coordinates many of the fun events that shape student life throughout the year. Laurie’s greatest joy is seeing students grow in their relationship with the Lord, discover their God-given gifts, and step confidently into the next season of life—passionate about pursuing Jesus, loving Him deeply, and loving others well. Digital Resources: Https://lucasca.com/   -- https://www.instagram.com/lcawarriorssl/  Sean Englert serves as the Interim Co-Head of School and Director of Spiritual Life at Northlake Christian School in Covington, Louisiana. He is passionate about seeing communities flourish as God’s people love and serve their neighbors. Believing that Christian education is a powerful means of equipping the next generation for this calling, he is committed to advancing God’s kingdom by faithfully stewarding that opportunity. Digital Resources: northlakechristian.org, FB - @Northlake Christian School, IG - @ncscovington  Samantha (Sam) Farinacci received her bachelor's degree in English at California Lutheran University and her master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.  She loves her job at Oaks Christian Online School where she develops online spiritual formation and Christian education for 6-12th grade students and provides online chaplaincy care for the faculty and staff.  She has been at OC Online since the program's genesis in 2011.  Outside of work, Sam is into her pet llamas, hiking, reading, and swimming in Bass Lake, CA near where she lives with her husband, who is a pastor. https://www.oakschristianonline.org/

Emily Pigott shares how to lead with presence to remind students that peace is not the absence of chaos, it's the awareness of Christ in that chaos. Isaiah 9:6 calls Jesus the Prince of Peace; your stillness reflects Him.--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 experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact, and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's VP of Educational Resources & Student Programs. The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts.

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss strategies for receiving and implementing healthy feedback as leaders. 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 ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: acsi.org/podcasts

This episode features Dr. Chad McNatt, Superintendent at Seattle Christian School (WA), on the topic of apologetics and students asking tough questions. We also hear from Heath Nivens, Head of School at McKinney Christian Academy (TX) at the Catalyst Conference, and return to Asheville Christian Academy (NC) to hear about their recovery from Hurricane Helene in 2024. Learn more about ACA and other stories at acsi.org/stories The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine style format.  

Jerry Nelson and Dr. Jeff Lawrence talk through building spiritual formation in schools from the top down, including defining a biblical worldview and practical steps leaders can take for spiritual formation in Christian schools.  Jeff Lawrence is the Director of Spiritual Development at Foundation Academy (FL). He is a writer, teacher, and cultural apologist passionate about helping people think deeply and live faithfully in a world that often rejects absolute truth. The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education. All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

This episode completes a three-part series on equipping students to make a courageous influence, with this episode focused on actionable steps to call students up to meet their potential. -- 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 experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact, and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's Student Leadership & Learning Director. The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts.

Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss ways to ensure that we as leaders intentionally focus on our own spiritual formation. 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 ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Every school is being discipled by culture. Often, it happens subconsciously. To discuss how to engage students where Christ & culture meet, Dan Stuart joins Jerry Nelson and shares about his role as the Director of the Christian Leadership Program and Institute for Christ & Culture at The King's Academy (FL).  Dan Stuart has a diverse teaching history from the youth group to the college classroom. During that time, his desires became clear: he wants to see students challenged through difficult questions and loved with the love of Christ. His education is in biblical studies and apologetics.--The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education. All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

The recent Student Leadership Conference in Hungary was a major success. Hear updates on that event, from outgoing Senior Director of the International Division, Tim Shuman, and leadership advice from a head of school. -- The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine style format.

Jerry Nelson and Mark Senseman, Director of Business Development with Servant Solutions, discuss stewardship over finances, a biblical view of retirement, and other important topics that affect educators' lives in and out of the classroom. Mark serves as Director of Business Development at Servant Solutions. He develops, communicates, executes, and sustains corporate strategic initiatives. He is a 1988 graduate of Anderson University with a B.S. in Business Management. Servant Solution website https://servantsolutions.squarespace.com/employees-toolbox  -- The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education. All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

How do we know if we're producing faithful followers of Jesus? Paris Shewey, campus pastor at King's Way Christian Schools (WA), joins the podcast to share his own story of salvation and a simple survey he uses to evaluate spiritual formation in his students. To see the faith survey, visit here. Paris Shewey has also served with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He met Jesus in 2009 while playing baseball at Washington State University. Since then, he has carried that same work ethic, drive, and discipline into his walk with Christ and his mission to serve the next generation.--The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education. All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Steve Dang joins the podcast to discuss spiritual formation, how to share the gospel based on varying school contexts. DOCS: An example of how to tell the story of Spiritual Formation at your school here. Spiritual Formation overview at VCS - see more here. Leveraging Social Media as a Storytelling tool: @vcs_faith   Spiritual Formation links: https://qrco.de/beE6mM Steve serves as the Chief Ministry Officer and Senior Vice President at Valley Christian Schools in San Jose, California, where he oversees spiritual formation, community engagement, advancement, and alumni relations for one of the largest K–12 Christian schools in the nation. A graduate of Valley Christian himself, Steve is passionate about helping the next generation navigate faith in a complex, post-Christian world.

Educators can help students understand their identity in Christ and foster genuine relationships in a digitally connected but lonely world. Learn more about equipping students to make a courageous influence, which continues a three-part series that began last episode.--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 experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact, and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's Student Leadership & Learning Director. The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts.

Rachael Jones, Assistant Director of Professional Development sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn, Director of Professional Development, to discuss Leadership Development and the newly redesigned Leadership University. 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 ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Hear about the 2025 Public Policy & Advocacy Summit that just wrapped up in D.C., get to know ACSI's new Board Chair, Elisa Carlson, and enjoy a spotlight on an ACSI school seeing a revival in its student body. For more on ACSI accreditation, visit acsi.org/accreditation.  

Billy Sparacio brings nearly 30 years of experience in high school athletics, and he uses sports as a platform to mold young men and women for life beyond the game. Learn more about Spiritual Formation Network meetings: https://www.acsi.org/professional-development/connect-with-networking-groups The Grafted Together Podcast examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate into everyday Christian education. All four shows of the ACSI Podcasts have a new episode each month, available here on YouTube and in audio-only form on most major podcast platforms. These podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts

Even if students know they're meant to stand for truth, are they equipped to do so? Emily Pigott shares ways to equip students to actually follow through on their mission to impact their community with courageous influence. -- 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 experiences beyond the classroom, explore ways to maximize educators' impact, and develop student leaders. Your host is Emily Pigott, ACSI's Student Leadership & Learning Director. The ACSI Podcasts help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info on all four shows here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts.

Stuart Salazar, ACSI Divisional Director for Latin America, provides an update. Beth Afanador, a longtime international school educator, gives her reasons why teaching overseas is impactful to both students and the teacher themself. And finally, we highlight the ACSI Early Education workshops with Dr. Tyler Groves. -- The Stronger Together Podcast highlights member schools, educators, and important happenings in a 15-minute news magazine-style format.