By Dr. Brian Dougherty
Hanging in the atrium of Sherwood Baptist Church is a large banner which reads, “Whoever wants the next generation the most will get them.” This message has been the heart cry of our senior pastor, Michael Catt. When looking for a new school headmaster nine years ago, church leadership wanted to make sure they found someone who had the same deep conviction about young people. They looked no further than Dr. Glen Schultz. He brought a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience in Christian education that has helped Sherwood Christian Academy become a beacon of light in southwest Georgia.
His journey in education began in a rural public school classroom in Gwanda, New York. Following graduation from Roberts Wesleyan University in Rochester, Dr. Schultz took a position as a high school chemistry teacher. Though he grew in his craft, he had a growing burden for truth and wanted to increase his impact on students. Without even a teaching position available, Dr. Schultz believed God was calling him and his young family to Lynchburg, Virginia, to serve in the ministry of Thomas Road Baptist Church. Providentially within weeks, a chemistry position opened up at the school. More importantly, the leadership and influence of Dr. Jerry Falwell for the next 16 years would forever shape his faith walk and view of education.
During his time at Thomas Road, Dr. Schultz served as chemistry teacher, high school principal, and superintendent of Lynchburg Christian Academy. He also completed master’s and doctoral degrees in education at the University of Virginia. Furthermore, he spent considerable time studying the Scriptures to better understand what God’s Word had to say about education.
In 1989, Dr. Schultz was invited by ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) to become its next South- east Regional Director. It was an opportunity to increase his influence from one school to hundreds of Christian schools. During the next seven years, Dr. Schultz faithfully served and spoke into the lives of countless Christian school leaders. As he traveled, he became increasingly burdened for the schools he served. It was during this time that God began giving Dr. Schultz a message to help strengthen His schools. He wanted to stem the tide of the secular culture war of ideas which had been waged on the hearts and minds of young people both in and outside of the classroom.
In an effort to fulfill the Southern Baptist Convention’s monumental resolution urging churches to enter into and vigorously support education programs for children and youth that will provide biblically-based education, LifeWay Christian Resources hired Glen Schultz to become their first director of Christian School Education. For the next nine years, Dr. Schultz worked with church and school leaders to help them understand the importance of a biblical philosophy of education. His seminal work is entitled Kingdom Education: God’s Plan for Educating Future Generations (2003). Many school leaders, including myself, have been impacted by this foundational book. It highlights 10 Biblical Principles of Education that have become Dr. Schultz’s life message. He has been on a mission ever since to reach as many Christian school teachers and leaders as possible with this message as well as Christian parents to ensure that our schools do not waver from the truth of God’s Word and its principles on education. I believe Dr. Glen Schultz is truly the leading voice on the philosophy of education from a biblical perspective today.
A few years later, he teamed up with Dr. Larry Taylor of Prestonwood Christian Academy (TX) to develop the Kingdom School Institute. This summer institute, which recently celebrated 11 years, is a powerful experience for teachers, administrators, and school board members to not only understand but implement a biblical philosophy in all aspects of the life of a school.
In his nine years at Sherwood Christian Academy, Dr. Schultz’s passion for reaching the next generation of young people and school leaders has only grown. He not only faithfully leads our school, but travels throughout the year speaking to various Christian school groups to get out the message of Kingdom Education. Two years ago, Dr. Schultz captured his latest work in a DVD series entitled Kingdom Education for the 21st Century. This professional development series is a must for every Christian school leader. It allows Dr. Schultz’s message to be in the hands of every teacher, school leader, and parent to ensure that this and future generations have the essential foundation of a biblical philosophy of education. Though the mission is never complete, after four decades of Christian school service Dr. Glen Schultz will find great fulfillment when his ministry verse is lived out by many – 3 John 1:4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”
Volume 6 Issue 1 - The Renewanation Review