ACSI Podcasts

Guest host Mark Wickersham discusses parent engagement and provides practical steps. Students with engaged parents tend to do better academically, socially, and most importantly, spiritually. So how do we get parents engaged?
This episode is part of a series of episodes hosted by core members of ACSI's Spiritual Formation Network. Learn more about the SFN at www.acsi.org/spiritual-formation
Mark Wickersham, aka Wick, is in his 10th year at Evansville Christian School (ECS), 24th year in Christian education, and 31st year in education. He was a classroom teacher for 17 years, teaching primarily social studies and Bible, and a secondary school principal for ten years before becoming the Director of Spiritual Formation at ECS in 2022. Wick served as a Christian educator in South Korea for one year and in Northern China for 13 years before returning to Indiana.
 
Digital Resources:  
www.evansvillechristian.org/ 
www.facebook.com/ECSwired/ 
www.instagram.com/ecswired/ 
https://www.evansvillechristian.org/biblical-worldview/ 

Dr. Nathan Johnson, Head of School at Charleston Bilingual Academy, joins the Grafted Together Podcast to discuss how what we teach--and how we teach-- in Christian schools should be colored by suffering, service, and awe.
Dr. Nathan Johnson is the Head of School at Charleston Bilingual Academy in South Carolina and serves on the board of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). A 2001 graduate of Furman University (B.A., History and Secondary Education), he went on to earn an M.Ed. from Columbia International University and an Ed.D. from Vanderbilt University, where his research focused on building world-class schools within diverse, urban contexts. Drawing on his academic work, cross-cultural experience, and passion for bridging cultures through the love of Christ, Nathan founded Charleston Bilingual Academy. The school’s mission is to partner with parents to inspire world changers through Christ-centered, intercultural, language immersion education.
Digital Resources:  www.charlestonbilingualacademy.org www.facebook.com/charlestonbilingualacademy/

Rachael Jones and Dr. Edward Bunn discuss ways leaders can maintain high standards without slipping into micromanagement, by empowering teams while fostering trust.--The Flourishing Journey podcast explores strategies for building a thriving school culture through research and practical application. The show is hosted by Dr. Edward Bunn, ACSI's Director of Professional Development.
The ACSI podcasts will help sharpen your leadership and explore ways to cultivate a flourishing school community, all through a biblical worldview framework. Find more info here: https://www.acsi.org/podcasts
 

Guest host Sean Englert shares what Northlake Christian School (LA) has learned through student assessments about biblical literacy and what type of biblical reading plan can help.
This episode is part of a series of episodes hosted by core members of ACSI's Spiritual Formation Network. Learn more about the SFN at www.acsi.org/spiritual-formation
Sean Englert serves as the Head of School and Director of Spiritual Life at Northlake Christian School in Covington, Louisiana. He is passionate about seeing communities flourish as God’s people love and serve their neighbors. Believing that Christian education is a powerful means of equipping the next generation for this calling, he is committed to advancing God’s kingdom by faithfully stewarding that opportunity.  
Digital Resources: northlakechristian.org, FB - @Northlake Christian School, IG - @ncscovington 

Steve Buttry is a real estate developer as well as the President of Workplace Ministries, Inc., and he joins Jerry Nelson to discuss God's vision for work.
 
Steve Buttry has more than 25 years of experience in both commercial and residential real estate development. As a founding partner at Buttry & Brown Development, Steve has led complex projects that blend strategic vision with practical execution — helping shape communities and deliver value for investors, partners, and stakeholders alike.  
 
Beyond his professional achievements in real estate, Steve is deeply committed to helping others integrate faith and work in meaningful ways. He is the founder and President of Workplace Ministries, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to equipping Christians across industries to view their everyday work as a place of purpose and mission.  Workplace Ministries, Inc. serves individuals as well as business owners, Christian schools, and churches, providing practical, Scripture-grounded resources that help people understand and live out the purpose of work in everyday life. 
 
Digital Resources: 
Website: https://www.divinepurposeofwork.com/christian-schools
Personal LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buttry/
The Divine Purpose of Work LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106441964/

Learn about how the Legal Defense Reimbursement Fund can supplement your school's risk management with ACSI VP for Legal Affairs, Philip Scott. Also hear about advocacy work in Christian education and the Public Policy and Advocacy Summit from keynote speaker Dr. Shirley Magazi.
 
Learn more about the LDRP at www.acsi.org/LDRP
Register for the Public Policy & Advocacy Summit at www.acsi.org/Summit
 
Dr. Shirley Magazi is actively involved in legislative reform, civic engagement, and national development from a biblical worldview, primarily in Namibia, Africa. She serves as the Executive Chairperson of the Christian Coalition of Churches and Organisations on Ethical Social Justice, through which she advocates for Christian Education, church involvement in public policy and legislative reform. She is the Founder of Family Protection Foundation and the Executive Director of Institute of Public Policy, Administration, and Governance. She also serves as a leadership coach and consultant servicing UN bodies, NGOs, Governments, Church and the Corporate Sector on governance and strategy.
 
 

Guest host Samantha Farinacci of Oaks Christian Online School shares insights on chaplaining at a Christian school during an era of artificial intelligence.
This is the first of several episodes this summer that will be hosted by core members of ACSI's Spiritual Formation Network. Learn more about the SFN at www.acsi.org/spiritual-formation
Samantha (Sam) Farinacci received her bachelor's degree in English at California Lutheran University and her master's degree in theology at Fuller Theological Seminary.  She loves her job at Oaks Christian Online School where she develops online spiritual formation and Christian education for 6-12th grade students and provides online chaplaincy care for the faculty and staff.  She has been at OC Online since the program's genesis in 2011.
Digital Resources:  https://www.oakschristianonline.org
 
 
 

Dr. Steve Whitaker, Head of School at The First Academy (FL), talks with Jerry Nelson about the Flourishing Faith Index and how to properly assess your school's spiritual formation progress. Learn more about the FFI at acsi.org/ffi
 
Dr. Steve D. Whitaker has been the Head of School at The First Academy since July 2003. Under his leadership, the school has implemented an ambitious spiritual formation agenda, achieved significant enrollment growth, and celebrated remarkable academic successes. Through multiple capital campaigns, the campus has undergone major additions and renovations, with The First Academy families and friends generously pledging over $60 million to support these initiatives.
 
Dr. Whitaker has authored works on various subjects, including school culture, Christian living, and Biblical worldview issues. In 2015, he published *In God We Trust: Five Anchor Points for Turbulent Times*. He is set to release two more books in 2026: “City on a Hill” and “By Still Waters."
 
Recently, he was appointed the Founding President of Orlando Christian University, which will open in August 2027. His service includes positions on the ACSI Executive Board, FHSAA Board of Directors, FCIS Board of Directors, and ABHE Board of Directors, as well as being a charter member of the Council for Educational Standards and Accountability. In 2010, Dr. Whitaker founded Neighborhood Charter Schools to help urban churches establish charter schools for disadvantaged students.
 
Dr. Whitaker earned his Bachelor’s degree in South Florida, followed by a Master of Education from MidAmerica Nazarene University and a Master of Arts in Education from the University of Louisville. He completed his PhD in Higher Education Administration at the University of Louisville. He is married to Tricia, and they are parents to Amanda, Stephen, and Caleb, and recently welcomed their first daughter-in-law, Bruna, into the family.
 
You can follow him online at his LinkedIn account:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-whitaker-ph-d-01001528
 

David Singh is the founder of Harbour International School in India. He talks with ACSI Chief Ministry Officer Dr. Gavin Brettenny about leading a Christian school in India and how the school lives out faith within the context of Indian culture.
 
Harbour International School: https://www.harboureducation.org/
 

Douglas Campbell, Senior Coordinator with the ACSI Ministry Team, hosts this edition of the Grafted Together Podcast alongside three members of the ACSI Spiritual Formation Network, Josh Leonard, Mark Wickersham, and Lilly Wooten.
Guest bios:
Mark Wickersham is in his 10th year at Evansville Christian School (where he serves as the Director of Spiritual Formation), 24th year in Christian education, and 31st year in education. Mark served as a Christian educator in South Korea for one year and in Northern China for 13 years before returning to Indiana. 
Digital Resources:  1. www.evansvillechristian.org/
2. www.facebook.com/ECSwired/ 
3. www.instagram.com/ecswired/
 
Josh Leonard is the Dean of Spiritual Formation and Discipleship at North Raleigh Christian Academy, where he has served for seven years. Josh studied Psychology at the University of Florida and earned his Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Digital Resources:Rooted Rhythms Podcast (also available on Spotify/Apple Music)
 
Lilly Wooten currently serves as the Christian Life Director at North Raleigh Christian Academy in Raleigh, NC. In this role, she is actively involved in student life and discipleship across grades K–12. She has also been involved in missions work through Charity Mission Center with Baptists on Mission and has served the Eastern Baptist Association as the Women on Mission Director. Lilly is a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities. She is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity in Ministry to Women at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.