Welcome to Stories
By Amber Warnke
Obedience to God’s call is always worth it, even when it requires a dramatic shift in life and career. Matt and Samantha Porter, co-founders of Advocate Christian Academy, are living proof. Their journey began during the uncertainty of COVID-19. In the fall of 2019, as their oldest daughter entered kindergarten, Samantha remembers the questions that caught their attention: “She was asking big questions for a 5-year-old: ‘Why isn’t God allowed in school? Why can’t I pray with my friends?’”
Their footsteps echoed off the walls in Oxford, the same walls that had seen centuries of world-changing innovation and ideas. Christian school leaders representing Canada, Australia, Nigeria, Malaysia, and the U.S. joined together with ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor and other organizational leaders for the Global Exploratory Roundtable on the State of Education Around the World. This roundtable, the first of its kind, took place June 7-12, 2026, and provided a unique opportunity for influential school leaders from various contexts to share perspectives, shape vision, and ensure a solid future for Christ-centered education.
From late April through early May 2026, Dr. Angela Patterson, ACSI Senior Director for International Schools Division, traveled across Europe to connect with Christian school leaders, strengthen regional partnerships, and visit ACSI member schools serving students in diverse settings. The journey began in Dubrovnik, Croatia, at the ACSI International School Leaders Conference (ISLC), where Christian educators from around the world gathered for encouragement, professional growth, and fellowship. The conference provided an opportunity for leaders to step away from the demands of daily school operations and engage in meaningful conversations about best practices and the future of Christian education.
The view looked different for Juan Cabrera, ACSI’s retiring VP of Information Technology, 25 years ago in the capital city Quito, Ecuador. Sitting at 9,350 feet in elevation, the bustling city is a historically rich hub in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. Cabrera, having a heart for sharing the gospel worldwide, never thought he’d be serving the Lord in Ecuador— let alone for 10 years.
Vanessa Cheng and Dr. Minta Hardman share more than a passion for Christian education. Both have recently faced serious legislative threats to school choice and religious liberty—and responded with bold, community-driven advocacy. Though separated by nearly 10,000 miles, both leaders confronted legislation that would restrict Christian schools’ ability to hire staff aligned with their faith. Inspired by one another’s efforts, Cheng and Hardman each mobilized their communities, resulting in significant wins for religious freedom.
Featured Event
Public Policy and Advocacy Summit 2026
September 14-16, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
Join us in Washington, D.C. as Christian education leaders, students, and advocates gather for the Public Policy & Advocacy Summit, September 14-16! Leading voices like Kristen Waggoner will help you gain insights, skills, and confidence needed to engage today’s most pressing policy issues and protect the future of Christian education. Unpack the Federal Scholarship Tax Credit and celebrate America’s 250 with a Patriotic Gala. Bring your high school students to build leadership & advocacy skills.
Come informed. Leave equipped.
Blog
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As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Americans everywhere are reflecting on the people, legacies, and institutions that shaped our nation’s identity. While many know of the statesmen who declared independence and laid the foundation for a new nation, fewer consider the influence that Christian education has played since the earliest days of our founding. From colonial-era schools to the one-room schoolhouse in the expanding western territories to the independent Christian schools we have today, faith-based education has always contributed to the education of young American lives.
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I can still recall my nervousness as I taught my first classes at a Christian college. I was well-educated in electrical engineering at a large secular university, which is to say I was not well-educated in anything else. I had spent many years being catechized to think like an engineer, but faith remained largely peripheral to my studies. I was a Christian who was a scholar, but not yet a Christian scholar. And yet there I was, a new faculty member expected to “integrate faith” in the classroom. I wince when I recall my first feeble attempts at faith integration—urging my computer science students to march into their careers and “transform technology” for God’s kingdom. It was a ringing phrase, but the content was admittedly thin. In those early days, I fear I sometimes offered my students stones for bread.
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There is a mental health crisis among American children. Mental health concerns among adolescents continue to rise, with more than eight million children ages 3–17 experiencing a diagnosed mental or behavioral health condition (CDC, 2024). Research suggests that students in public and Protestant schools report similar mental health concerns (Swaner et al., 2024), and most mental health conditions emerge before age 18 (Velasco et al., 2020). Because schools are often the first place where concerns are observed, Christian schools have a unique opportunity to support students through positive relationships, spiritual formation, and access to mental health resources.
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As Christians, we have a long way to go in order to live up to God’s command for us to live united in Him (Psalm 133:1; Ephesians 4:3; 1 Corinthians 1:10). While perfect unity is an eternal reality in Heaven, we are called to pursue God’s perfect standard here on Earth. Thanks to God and many past people God worked through, we do not have nearly as far to go as we once did.
Podcast
Jerry Nelson shares a brief devotional-style teaching on Biblical study.
Middle school is not something to get through. It's something to steward. Emily Pigott provides ways to reclaim the middle and capitalize on the special opportunities that middle school educators possess.
Rachael Jones sits down with Dr. Edward Bunn to discuss lessons he has learned as a leader and ways in which he has grown.
Helen Schleper is the Head of School at Sekolah Pelita Harapan (Lippo Village campus) in Jakarta, Indonesia. She talks with ACSI Chief Ministry Officer Dr. Gavin Brettenny on the latest Stronger Together episode.
Stay Informed on ACSI's Events and Resources
President's Office
“I can think of no greater cause than to partner with you to advance Christ-centered education.” Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI President & CEO
Dr. Taylor has been serving in education for over 30 years. He is passionate about training up this generation of disciples for Jesus Christ through Christian education.
Prior to accepting the President position at ACSI, Dr. Larry Taylor served twenty years as the Head of School at Prestonwood Christian Academy (PCA) in Plano, Texas. Prestonwood Christian Academy serves more than 1,600 students enrolled at four campuses as part of its school system.
Click the link below to read more.
ACSI's Mission
ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
ACSI's Foundational 3 Pillars
Advancing
Leading Christ-centered education toward excellence and flourishing
We want all schools to aspire to, achieve, and remain committed to a biblically-based philosophy of education, standards that are measurable, and flourishing-related criteria. ACSI strives to lead, support, and serve Christian schools, and educators, by placing them on a path of growth and flourishing using the research-based Flourishing Schools Initiative. This model should link leadership and faculty professional development accreditation, and every culture-driving component of a school. A common philosophy, and a flourishing-based metric, would unify our efforts of advancing Christian schools and educators.
Access
Making Christ-centered education available and obtainable
ACSI is committed to making Kingdom education available to as many children and families as desire it, believing that such an education offers students an opportunity to grow in a loving relationship with their Creator, come to know His saving work through Jesus, and flourish in His Ephesians 2:10 calling for their lives. This commitment requires removing barriers to access for those who traditionally have not benefited from Christian school, as well as seeking out new ways to create access points to Kingdom education and the ability to thrive and be successful in that education—for all those who desire it.
Advocacy
Promoting and protecting Christ-centered education for today and tomorrow
As the largest evangelical Christian school association in the world, ACSI is by default viewed as the spokesperson for Christian schooling in the public square. In order to discharge this responsibility with excellence and seasoned speech (Colossians 4:6), and to equip our member schools to do the same, ACSI must invest in developing public-facing resources and forming strategic relationships with those working in the area of advocacy for Christian Education and for religious liberty.
Stay Connected to ACSI
The ACSI Community online forum exists to provide connection, collaboration, and networking with Christ-centered education advocates, educators, and influencers in a protected online environment.
ACSI Community offers Christian educators opportunities to Connect, Collaborate, Compel, Captivate, and Comprehend. Join thousands of like-minded education professionals around to globe to grow in knowledge, sharpen skills, and deepen your faith, in a safe, authentic virtual environment.
ACSI provide helpful tools for you to find the next position God has for you through a resume review search and career planning portal. You can also discover ACSI positions.
Thinking about serving internationally? PFO2Go will provide the confidence to enter a new culture in which to both work and live outside the United States.
ACSI Reaches Highest Tier Attainable in the Best Christian Workplaces Survey, Earning “Flourishing Status”
The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is proud to announce that it has once again earned “Flourishing Status” through the Best Christian Workplaces Survey.
In a multi-year trend upward, ACSI employees ranked the organization as being the highest tier attainable in the Best Christian Workplaces Survey—a thorough employee engagement survey assessing organizational culture.
The association’s score this year lands in the 83rd percentile, which is 20% higher than in 2023, with areas of strength including high commitment to excellence and effective teamwork. One of the organization’s largest jumps in improvement was helping each other with healthy work/life integration.
ACSI President & CEO Dr. Larry Taylor is thrilled by this great accomplishment.
“At ACSI, our dedication to excellence in serving our communities and partners stems from an unwavering commitment for Jesus Christ,” he said. “This recognition highlights our significant progress in areas where we’ve previously sought improvement, actively incorporating employee feedback into our decision-making processes, and fostering a culture of innovation and exploration. We are enthusiastic about continuing to develop and nurture a thriving workplace environment that exemplifies what it means to be a dynamic and flourishing organization.”
Best Christian Workplaces Consulting Director Cary Humphries is excited about the survey results and is honored to serve as ACSI’s engagement partner.
“ACSI has demonstrated a commitment to regularly measure the health of their workplace culture,” he said. “This year’s actions and survey progress display excellence and the increased opportunity for full engagement of the ACSI team.”
The organization conducted this anonymous survey to all employees in May of 2024 and analyzed the data in June.
ACSI Vice President of Human Resources Chris Loncar looks forward to implementing strategies to address the data specifically regarding areas that present opportunities for growth.
“In recent years, we have targeted lower scoring areas that are representative of where we can improve. We continue to see progress in several of those areas as we make efforts post survey to address areas of employee concern. By doing this, we will continue to affirm our commitment to improving our culture at ACSI,” he shared.
Taylor believes the future of Christian education is bright.
“We deeply appreciate our team’s dedication to ACSI's mission and vision,” he stated. “Their commitment empowers us to shape future leaders who will advance our goals and make a significant impact globally, furthering the reach and influence of Christian education.”
To learn more about the Best Christian Workplaces Certified Workplaces, visit the website at https://workplaces.org/certification. To learn more about ACSI, visit the website at https://www.acsi.org/.
About ACSI:
Headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado, ACSI exists to strengthen Christian schools and equip Christian educators worldwide as they prepare students academically and inspire them to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ. ACSI advances excellence in Christian schools by enhancing the professional and personal development of Christian educators and providing vital support functions for Christian schools through multiple services including teacher and administrator certification, school accreditation, legal/legislative assistance, and curriculum publishing. Serving more than 25,000 schools in 108 countries, ACSI helps more than 5.5 million students worldwide connect to Christian education.
About Best Christian Workplaces:
Best Christian Workplaces exists to equip and inspire Christian leaders to create an engaged, flourishing workplace. Since 2003, the ministry has surveyed over 1,000 churches, nonprofits, businesses, and educators. Their vision is that Christian-led workplaces set the standard as the best, most effective places to work in the world.
Strategic Partners
ACSI proudly presents the Strategic Partnership Program, which includes companies, organizations, and ministries who have been carefully chosen to benefit you—our member schools—and to assist you in accomplishing your life-changing mission.
