Senior Leadership
I am inspired by the faith, courage, and reverence for God by Christian educators around the world! It reminds me of the story recounted in I Samuel 17 about David defeating Goliath. In verse 29, David’s response to the inaction of his
elder brothers and the Israelites especially encourages me. He boldly and nobly answers the call to action by asking, "Is there not a cause?”
I can think of no greater cause than to partner with you as you advance Kingdom education. We fully believe that authentic devotion to the Christian faith and academic excellence are mutually reinforcing. There are not two or three forms of excellence, but rather an ethos that is cultivated throughout every facet of our schools. Faith is not separated from learning but rather integrated intentionally, resulting in a distinctive Christian worldview.
Scholarship and learning become an integral component to the maturation process known as discipleship. Thus, becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ, the ultimate objective of the Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20), is the prize for which we strive; it is the highest form of excellence! It is certainly conceivable that we could produce students with the spiritual depth needed to enter our pluralistic society and not fall prey to empty philosophies. Rather, they would be equipped to saturate the marketplace to which God has called them with confidence, purpose, and an eternal perspective.
ACSI’s ongoing mission is to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. We want to serve you as you continue to cultivate and sustain a flourishing school. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you—thank you for your obedience to God’s call on your life—you are indeed making a difference.
Dr. Larry Taylor, President & CEO, ACSI
larry_taylor@acsi.org
719-867-0200
ACSI Senior Leadership
Dr. David Balik
Vice President of USA
Dr. Gavin Brettenny
Chief Strategy Officer
Kevin Buelke
Chief Finance Officer
Cindy Dodds
Chief of Flourishing Initiatives
Michael Epp
Senior Vice President of Global
Brett Henry, J.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Sevenstar
Vice President, Educational Resources
John Klingstedt
Chief Operating Officer
Christi Lynn
Vice President, Communications & Engagement
Chris Loncar
Vice President, Human Resources
Jerry Nelson
Chief Ministry Officer
Philip Scott, J.D.
Vice President for Legal Affairs
P. George Tryfiates
Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs
Susan Verheul
Vice President, Executive Initiatives
Dr. Cecil Swetland
Vice President for Development
News and Press Releases
ACSI Partners with Ron Blue Institute to Offer Students a Biblical Financial Literacy Course
Colorado Springs, CO – The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is thrilled to announce its partnership with Ron Blue Institute. The Institute, which delivers biblically based financial wisdom through thought leadership and content for various channels, has created a unique biblical financial literacy course for students.
Through this partnership, both organizations hope to equip the next generation with a God-honoring understanding of how to steward finances well.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor believes this partnership and course offering will be pertinent and useful for schools in training young Christians to understand their relationship with God and with stewarding resources.
“As a father and former head of school, I have had first-hand experience in witnessing the difference that a biblically sound understanding of finances makes in a student’s life,” he said. “This is a key area to help train our students in. Through this course, we hope to bolster a Christ-like approach to finances so that the next generation can go into the world and live differently, shining a light for Christ.”
Through this partnership, Ron Blue Institute and ACSI aim to address a gap in financial education within Christian schools.
Vice President of Educational Programs at Ron Blue Institute, Dr. Phil Gelatt, further explained the Institute’s approach to financial literacy.
“Rather than a prescriptive, step-by-step approach that sees finances as a transaction, we think the Bible has much to say about money, wealth, and possessions (over 2,300 verses), providing transcendent principles that can guide our hearts to greater love for God and for others,” Gelatt shared. “Jesus recognized the challenge when He said we can't serve God and money (Luke 16:13), reinforcing the idea that money really is a heart issue.”
According to Gelatt, research conducted by the Institute has revealed that many Christian schools either neglect financial literacy altogether or adopt a purely practical, hands-on approach. This partnership seeks to bridge that gap by embedding a biblical worldview into financial education, transforming how students think about and manage money in alignment with God's Word.
Gelatt shared his passion for equipping students.
“In the ever-changing world we live in, financial literacy practices are constantly changing,” he said. “Students today need to have a biblical foundation of what God has to say about money, a thorough knowledge of the principles that guide our financial decision making, and then be aware of what current practices with money are. Schools that teach from this perspective and teachers that provide living examples of this kind of life will have a lasting impact on their students for God's Kingdom.”
This partnership between ACSI and Ron Blue Institute marks a significant step forward in the mission to cultivate financially literate students who are equipped to make wise, God-honoring decisions in every aspect of their lives.
To learn more about the course, visit the website.