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 USA / Director for North America
Dr. Gavin Brettenny
Chief Strategy Officer
Kevin Buelke
Chief Finance Officer
Roger Cressey
Chief Information & Technology Officer
Stephen Deck
Vice President of Education Standards
Cindy Dodds
Chief School Improvement Officer
Michael Epp
Senior Vice President of Global Development
Chuck Gilliam
Vice President of Membership and Strategic Alliances,
Senior Director, Eastern Division
Brett Henry, J.D.
Chief Operating Officer
John Klingstedt
Chief of Staff
Peter Lee
Director of East Asia
Chris Loncar
Vice President, Human Resources
Christi Lynn
Vice President, Communications & Engagement
Dr. Sosthene Maletoungou
Director of Africa
Jerry Nelson
Chief Ministry Officer
Emily Pigott
Vice President of Educational Resources & Student Programs
Stuart Salazar
Director of Latin America
Philip Scott, J.D.
Vice President for Legal Affairs
Rajeev Shaw
Vice President of Sales
Dr. Agus Susanto
Director of Asia Pacific
Dr. Cecil Swetland
Vice President for Development
Dr. Mark T
Director of South Asia
P. George Tryfiates
Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs
Susan Verheul
Vice President, Executive Initiatives
News and Press Releases
Christian Educators to Gain Practical Classroom Strategies for Worldview Formation at 2026 Rooted Educator Summit
Media Contacts:
ACSI: Brittany Steward (Brittany_Steward@acsi.org)  (719) 867-0256  
The Colson Center: Krista Buckel (press@colsoncenter.org) (859) 948-5274
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO. (February 23, 2026) – The Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) together with The Colson Center (TCC) invites Christian K-12 educators to attend the 2026 Rooted Educator Worldview Summit to gain practical classroom strategies for Christian worldview formation. The Summit will be held June 15-17 in Colorado Springs at the DoubleTree Hotel.
“Students are searching for truth and purpose in a confusing world,” said Billy Hutchinson, Director of Colson Educators at TCC. “As Christian educators, we are called to point them to truth, Christ-centered hope, God-given identity, and purpose-filled calling. And that’s exactly what the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit will equip educators to do.”
The theme of the Summit this year is “Created and Called: Biblical Anthropology for Christian Education,” and will explore what it means to be human in light of the Christian worldview. Sessions will also prepare Christian educators to develop a Christ-like school culture, facilitate robust faith formation, and provide tools to understand this cultural moment.  
“We are excited to co-host the Rooted Educator Worldview Summit, an event that equips Christian educators to integrate faith and learning in meaningful ways,” said Dr. Larry Taylor, President and CEO of ACSI. “This summit provides opportunities for growth spiritually and professionally, as well as in the meaningful impact educators have on their students’ lives for the advancement of God’s Kingdom.” 
Attendees will benefit from keynote presentations, panel discussions, and breakout sessions for elementary, secondary, and school leaders from the following respected speakers:
John Stonestreet, President, TCC
Dr. Larry Taylor, President and CEO, ACSI
Dr. Sean McDowell, Associate Professor of Theology, Biola University
Megan Almon, Apologist & Speaker, Stand to Reason
Michael Craven, Vice President and Dean of Colson Fellows, TCC
Rev. Dr. Daniel BB Lewis, The God and Money Initiative for Emerging Adults
Elizabeth Urbanowicz, Founder, Foundation Worldview
Billy Hutchinson, Director of Colson Educators, TCC
Jerry Nelson, Chief Ministry Officer, ACSI
“In today’s culture, I can’t think of anything more important for educators than being equipped with the understanding and the tools needed to nurture students in their spiritual formation,” said ACSI Chief School Improvement Officer Cindy Dodds. “Our partnership with the Colson Center strengthens the content of the summit and allows us to tackle difficult cultural issues with strong biblical authority. Christian educators will gather by the hundreds to be challenged in their own faith as they navigate these cultural waters for the students they will influence.”
 
Register today by visiting, https://www.acsi.org/rooted-educator-worldview-summit. Use promo code “ROOTED50” before March 31 to receive $50 off individual registrations.
 
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 the Colson Center: The Colson Center exists to equip Christians with the clarity, confidence, and courage in this cultural moment. Our podcasts and digital resources, including Breakpoint, the Identity Project, and the What Would You Say? video series equip hundreds of thousands of Christians each year with the clarity they need to celebrate good, resist evil, create what’s missing, and restore what’s broken right where God has placed them. Our formation programs, Colson Fellows and Colson Educators, have equipped thousands of men and women to pursue their vocational callings and daily lives with a courageous faith.  
