PODCAST EPISODE

Grafted Together Ep 31: The Transformative Power of Christian Education: The Gospel in the City

January 29, 2026

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Russ Gregg started a Christian school in Minneapolis not only for his own kids, but for his neighborhood with no access to quality Christian education. Hear his insights on how to start a school and how Christian education can transform lives in a city.

Russ Gregg (M.A. in Educational Leadership, Gordon College) has served as Head of School at Hope Academy in Minneapolis since its founding in 2000. For Spreading Hope, Russ is the Visionary President and co-Founder (alongside Dan Olson). In 1999, God inspired Russ to quit his job to help lay the groundwork for a classical Christian school for his inner-city neighbors. He and his wife Phyllis, who teaches at Hope Academy, live just four blocks from the school where they raised their 3 children who are all grown with families of their own. 

Russ serves on the Board of Directors of the Society for Classical Learning. He is a regular speaker and writer on Urban Classical Christian Education and is the author of The Mark of God and our Education Crisis  (2018). 

More resources:

2.) 7 Myths - Spreading Hope Network 

3.) 8 First Steps to Launch Guide through the Herzog Foundation.

Grafted Together

Grafted Together with ACSI Chief Ministry Officer Jerry Nelson examines how biblical worldview and spiritual formation should integrate in everyday Christian education. Jerry Nelson joined the ACSI family in 2020 as the Special Assistant to the President and currently serves as ACSI's Chief Ministry Officer. He previously spent 11 years as the Head of School at Northwest Christian Academy in Florida. While there, Nelson created a Teacher Development Program, a Student Leadership Development Program, and Parent Education Program, and wrote three books. He earned his master's degree in Educational Leadership from St. Thomas University.