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By: Amber Warnke

David Ray, Assistant Vice President for ACSI USA and Director for Florida with 46 years of Christian education experience, is retiring from this position in December. As he looks forward to new opportunities, he reflects on the past 46 years of Christian education and the changes that have deeply affected it.

First, David noted that the introduction of school choice programs in many states has given parents a great deal of freedom regarding their children’s education. Unlike previous decades, the availability of vouchers, scholarships, and individual educational savings accounts have helped relieve parents’ financial burdens, decreasing their need to sacrifice in order to enroll their children in Christian and other private schools. In addition, David noted, the passage of HR 1 will soon provide tax credits, opening the pathway for even more parents to enroll their children in private institutions.

Second, David shared that the COVID pandemic strongly affected where parents decided to enroll their children and that the effects are still seen today. Although the devastating loss of life from the pandemic can never be forgotten, he recognized the ways that God brought good from the tragedy. While public schools struggled to transition from in-person to online learning (largely due to government regulations and the sheer size of these schools), Christian schools pivoted more easily. In addition, he recounted, “for really the first time, parents of public school students saw what their children were being taught and the values that were being presented, and it became alarming.” Because of this, many parents decided to immediately remove their children from public schools. Private schools saw a significant increase in enrollment — even with just a few months left in the school year.

Finally, David noted that advancements in technology have drastically impacted the entire educational system. Unlike the “13-inch color television with a Commodore keyboard attached to it” that existed when he began teaching, most learning today is digitized in some capacity, and artificial intelligence is beginning to significantly impact the field. While technology advancements can offer abundant advantages, he stressed the need to provide “proper training which emphasizes ethics and biblical principles.”

Moving from the past to the present, David shared that Christian schools — both in the United States and abroad — are powerfully influencing the world for Christ. He rejoiced that, at a recent ACSI Global staff meeting, “our leaders from around the world shared how God was doing great things in their countries — that children and young people were being taught biblical principles and many were coming to know Christ as their Savior.” He marveled that this is happening even in countries that are hostile to Christianity. David dreams of how significantly students in these countries, converted from pagan religions to Christianity, can influence their cultures for Christ. He exclaimed, “Could you imagine China, North Korea, or a number of Muslim countries suddenly having the freedom to worship the Lord? It would turn the world upside down!”

David is also greatly encouraged by the state of Christian education in the United States. He said that non-Christian institutions are beginning to view Christian schools with more respect, acknowledging their students’ academic and career preparedness. But more importantly, he rejoices that these schools are handing the torch to their students, equipping them to be strong leaders, integrate the Christian principles they’ve been taught into their everyday lives, and “set this world on fire for the Lord.”

Finally, David looks to the future. While concerned about the need for more quality teachers to educate the next generation, he feels that Christian schools are well prepared to tackle this challenge. He noted that ACSI’s Vision 2030 (which focuses on new fields of ministry, missional partnerships, educational resources and programs, and the teacher and leader pipeline) addresses this concern particularly well. In addition, he noted that an increasing number of Christian schools are emerging and that through ACSI and alliances with other institutions, such as the Herzog Foundation, these schools are being mentored and equipped to succeed.

Reflecting on and learning from the past provides foundation for the present and the future. David believes “the future is bright for Christian education with the school choice programs, the interest from parents, and the partnerships we have established.” But he offered a warning — Christian educators must act quickly. While the door of opportunity is currently open, we don’t know how long that will be the case. He encourages Christians to remember their constant role as influencers for Christ in their communities, in their schools, and around the world.