Transforming Lives

Dr. Andy Goodwin

Conversations about lives being transformed by excellent, Christ-centered education.

  1. 1d ago

    Navigating Life through Relationships, Trust, and Discovery: Dr. Stephen Holsgrove, Head of School, Thames Christian School, London

    Having gained a degree in Civil Engineering and a Doctorate in numerical analysis, Stephen worked in the Engineering Sector for 20 years. He became Development Director of a leading software company specialising in numerical solutions to engineering problems and gained in-depth experience in the IT industry. Driven by the difficulty of finding appropriate secondary schools for his own children, Stephen moved into Education in 2000 and, along with his wife Catherine, founded Thames Christian School, a coeducational independent secondary school in London of which he is Head.  Since then, the school has grown from a single class of 12 eleven-year-olds to a roll of around 200, moving to new purpose-built premises in 2022. In 2024, the school's new home won a prestigious RIBA National Award for its stunning and creative design. The school achieves outstanding GCSE and A Level results and has a strong pastoral care system underpinned by its Christian ethos and values. The school recognises that development of character and integrity are even more important than academics, and it is these qualities that characterise the school's leavers. Pupils are valued as unique individuals and the school works to find the gifts and talents in each one. In the past, its pupils have moved on to London's top independent and state sixth form colleges. In 2023, the option of staying at Thames was added by the opening of its own Sixth Form. https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenholsgrove  http://thameschristianschool.org.uk/   Connect with us!

  2. Oct 26

    Being Serious about Cultural Engagement: Dr. Jim Spiegel is Executive Director of the Geneva College Center for Faith & Life

    Jim Spiegel is Executive Director of the Geneva College Center for Faith & Life. Jim earned a B.S. in Biology at Belhaven University (1985). He then turned his interests to Philosophy, earning two graduate degrees—an M.A. at the University of Southern Mississippi (1988) and a Ph.D. at Michigan State University (1993). He has taught at Minnesota State University, Taylor University, and Hillsdale College and served as head of school at Lighthouse Christian Academy in Bloomington, Indiana. Jim has authored or edited 12 books and published over 100 articles and book chapters, mainly on issues in philosophy of religion, philosophical theology, and ethics. His work has appeared in scholarly journals such as Metaphilosophy, Philosophia, Faith and Philosophy, Science and Engineering Ethics, and the International Journal for Philosophy of Religion, as well as popular periodicals including Public Discourse, Christianity Today, First Things, Touchstone, The Conversation, The Federalist, and Books and Culture.  In addition to his teaching, research, and administrative work, Jim speaks regularly at professional conferences, colleges, and churches. Jim also serves on the board of the Kalos Center in Columbus, Ohio. He and his wife and fellow author, Amy, have four grown kids. Jim and Amy blog together at Wisdom and Folly. https://www.geneva.edu/cfl/  https://jimspiegel.com/  https://wisdomandfollyblog.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimspiegel/  Connect with us!

  3. Sep 14

     Purpose Rooted in What Jesus has Said: Dr. Mark Yarbrough, President of Dallas Theological Seminary

    Dr. Mark Yarbrough began his tenure as the sixth president of Dallas Theological Seminary on July 1, 2020, continuing a legacy of leadership shaped by decades of service to the institution. Since joining DTS, he has served in numerous leadership and administrative capacities, bringing broad experience and a deep commitment to the seminary’s mission. In addition to his presidential responsibilities, he continues to teach as a professor of Bible Exposition, where his passion for Scripture and student development remains evident. A seasoned pastor, scholar, and communicator of Scripture, he is committed to equipping students and believers with a deep, faithful understanding of God’s Word. His teaching emphasizes the unity of the Bible’s grand narrative and its theological richness, with a strong focus on careful exposition and practical application. In addition to his presidential leadership, Dr. Yarbrough remains actively engaged in teaching and ministry through the Story of Scripture initiative, which seeks to help audiences understand the Bible as one cohesive account of God’s redemptive work. He is a frequent speaker at churches, conferences, and academic settings, and has led educational tours to significant biblical regions around the world, helping bring the historical and cultural world of Scripture to life. He is the author of several books, including The Rekindled Heart: 6 Essentials for Reviving Your Faith; Jonah: Beyond the Tale of a Whale; How to Read the Bible Like a Seminary Professor; and his forthcoming novel, The Battle for Heaven and Earth (November 2026).  Mark and his wife, Jennifer, are grateful for God’s continued faithfulness and the privilege of serving together in ministry. Connect with us!

  4. Aug 31

    Sustainable Christ-Centered Education for Flourishing Nations: Amanda Forbes, VP of Christ-Centered Education & Godfrey Lugoloobi, VP of East African Programs at Edify

    Amanda Forbes,  VP of Christ-Centered Education Amanda has over 15 years of experience in international development and education, working closely with leaders and students globally. Besides her role at Edify, she advises Baylor University’s Center for School Leadership. Before Edify, Amanda co-founded Trinity Education, a nonprofit dedicated to making Christ-centered higher education accessible worldwide through community-based blended learning. She has taught at Pepperdine University’s Graziadio School of Business and launched two international education advising businesses in India. Amanda specializes in curriculum development for diverse learners, including projects funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Women Leaders of Tomorrow program in Pakistan. She served as an Associate Editor for Reconsidering Development and helped initiate an interdisciplinary grant-funded project at the University of Minnesota. She is writing her first book on nonprofit leadership in the Majority World. She holds a Ph.D. in Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota, an M.Ed. from Vanderbilt University, and a B.A. from Pepperdine University. Amanda is married to Eric, an officer in the U.S. Air Force, and they are raising two young children.   Godfrey Lugoloobi, VP of East African Programs Godfrey became Edify’s Vice President of East Africa in 2022. He first joined Edify in August 2013 as a Christian Transformation and Training Officer. Later, he became Rwanda Program Director and launched Edify’s Uganda operations as Country Director in 2019. Before Edify, Godfrey spent five years mentoring, coaching leadership, and teaching English at Cornerstone Leadership Academy. He is involved in Africa Youth Leadership Forum (AYLF), which forms the youth branch of the prayer breakfast movement in Eastern Africa, and he served as Rwanda Chapter coordinator. Godfrey has a BSc. in Electronics and Telecommunication with honors from Kigali Institute of Science and Technology and an MBA from Colorado Christian University. He is passionate about developing leaders and inspiring others to achieve their potential. He is married to Poulyn, and they have two children, Paul and Lynn. Connect with us!

  5. Aug 24

    The Importance of Wonder for Formation and Flourishing: Dr. Darren Iselin, Director of Christian Schools Australia

    Dr. Darren Iselin has over 3 decades of leadership experience in education across Australian and international contexts and has served in a wide range of principal and executive roles across both the K-12 and higher education sectors. His doctoral work on developing sustainable Christian school cultures in second- and next-generation contexts was awarded the Grassie-Basset Prize for Best Thesis in Educational Administration from The University of Queensland and also won the Research in Educational Leadership and Management Award from the Australian Council of Educational Leaders. (ACEL).  Darren is currently Director of Research and Innovation at Christian Schools Australia, where he works on large-scale, evidence-based research projects and strategic initiatives, and coordinates and oversees a diverse range of exciting and innovative new programs with over 210 Christian schools across Australia. He has recently coordinated a large-scale adolescent Flourishing Project that was undertaken with researchers from the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard, and was the coordinator of the consortium that oversaw the landmark Cardus Education Survey Australia Project that investigated contributions to the common good of 25 to 39-year-olds from across all Australian schooling sectors.  Darren recently celebrated his 37th wedding anniversary with his beautiful wife Rosalind, and has four (adult) children.    https://www.csa.edu.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-iselin-0307ba73/  Connect with us!

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Conversations about lives being transformed by excellent, Christ-centered education.