The mission of the Van Lunen Center is to provide world-class, executive management training for heads of schools based on the historic Christian faith. Its Fellows program is designed for the heads of Christian schools who have been in their positions for at least one year and report directly to the governing board of their schools.

Each year a cohort of 20-24 Fellows begins the year-long executive management training program. Three of the weeks are spent in residence. The first and final sessions, are focused on executive management curriculum and are held in July at the host school, Calvin University, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The second session is in winter at the Franciscan Renewal Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Its purpose is to examine and strengthen “leadership from within” in order to lead their staff and community well. All sessions are led by faculty who are experienced heads of Christian schools with proven executive management skills. They represent the diversity of schools within the Christian school movement.

2024-2025 Fellows Program Dates and Locations

  • Session I: Prince Conference Center, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI. Sunday, July 14 – Friday, July 19, 2024
  • Session II: Franciscan Renewal Center, Scottsdale, AZ. Sunday, February 2, 2025 – Thursday, February 6, 2025
  • Session III: Prince Conference Center, Calvin University, Grand Rapids, MI. Tuesday, July 15 – Friday, July 18, 2025

Program Pillars

Program pillars for the resident sessions include daily worship with liturgy from various Christian traditions, group instruction by faculty, plus additional faculty experts who lead sessions on marketing & enrollment, development & fund raising, and facilities. Excellent in all program dimensions, the emphasis is on executive management rather than general leadership skills.

An applied project is required during the year-long management training program that benefits each Fellow’s school. Drawn from new skills and information received in their Van Lunen sessions, and guided by the support of faculty experts, the applied project is the culmination of each Fellow’s Van Lunen Center experience. At the final July session, Fellows present their project and its impact on their schools. Examples of Fellow’s projects include new school construction, updated strategic plans, major fund-raising programs, enhanced marketing and enrollment strategies, and new approaches for working with a school’s governing board.

Applications for the 2025-2026 Fellows Program will be accepted beginning November 1, 2024.

2023-2024 Fellows

See Past Fellows

Joel Bahr

Joel Bahr
Head of Schools
Lutheran West
Rocky River, OH

Paul Breadmore

Paul Beardmore
VP of Educational
Programs
Chr. School Assoc.
of Grtr. Harrisburg
Harrisburg, PA

Brian Bell

Brian Bell
Head of Schools
Redlands Christian
Schools
Redlands, CA


Amy Boatman

Amy Boatman
Head of School
Salem Lutheran
School
Tomball, TX

Jonathan Bolton

Jonathan Bolton
Principal
Destiny Christian
School
Red Deer, AB

Jason Borko

Jason Borko
Head of School
Pinewood Chrisitan
Academy
Middleburg, FL

Tracy Bradely

Tracy Bradely
Trustee & Head
of School
Park Street School
Boston, MA

Neil Childs

Neil Childs
Head of School
Temple Christian
School
Fort Worth, TX

Earl Driedger

Earl Driedger
Head of School
Airdrie Christian 
Academy
Airdrie, AB

Thomas Gerds

Thomas Gerds
Head of School
Grace Christian 
School of Ocala,FL
Ocala, FL

Mark Helmer

Mark Helmer
Head of School
Covenant Day 
School
Matthews, NC

Nate Holton

Nate Holton
Superintendent
Central Christian
School
Kidron, OH

Stephen Janssen

Stephen Janssen
Principal
London Christian
Elementary School
London, ON

Megan Kooiman

Megan Kooiman
Principal
Ireton Christian 
School
Ireton, IA

Kevin Mosley

Kevin Mosley
Head of School
Legacy Christian
Academy
Frisco, TX

Gabe Pethtel

Gabe Pethtel
Head of School
Intermountain
Christian School
Salt Lake City, UT

Jessica Raba

Jessica Raba
Asst. Head of School/
Principal
Long Island Lutheran
Middle & High School
Glen Head, NY

David Robinson

David Robinson
Head of School
Washington
Christian Academy
Olney, MD

Chris Sievers

Chris Sievers
Principal
Borculo Christian
School
Zeeland, MI

Carolyn VanZwol

Carolyn Van Zwol
Principal
Laurentian Hills
Christian School
Kitchener, ON

Cindy Westendorp

Cindy Westendorp
Principal
Elora Road
Christian School
Guelph, ON

Laura Westra

Laura Westra
Head of School
Randolph Christian
School
Randolph, WI

Mark Witvliet

Mark Witvliet
Head Administrator
Dutton Christian
School
Caledonia, MI