top of page
Mail teacher kneeling down at the desk of a young female student in a classroom setting.

WHY MACSA?

The Mid-Atlantic Christian Schools Association (MACSA) stands as a vibrant fellowship of Christian School educators, united by the passion to make Christ known across one of America's most culturally diverse and economically influential regions—the Mid-Atlantic. Comprising dedicated administrators, teachers, board members, and staff, MACSA is more than an association; it's a community committed to providing educational and networking opportunities that foster service, collaboration, and growth among its members. Through sharing resources, learning together, praying for each other, and mentoring fellow educators in Christ, MACSA embodies a supportive network that enriches both the spiritual and professional lives of those dedicated to Christian education.

Our Mission

"Serving Schools that Serve the Savior"

Statement of Faith

We commit ourselves to these fundamental principles:

​

  • That education is primarily the responsibility of the parents.

  • That the instruction and education of children in our schools must be in accord with the Word of God.

​

We believe:

​

  • In the divine inspiration, infallibility and final authority of the Bible as the only Word of God.

  • In one God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

  • In the uniqueness of man, by virtue of his special creation in God’s image, and his responsibility to understand and master the world to the glory of God.

  • In the unique Deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate, virgin-born Son of God.

  • In the representative and substitutionary death of our Lord Jesus Christ as the necessary atonement for our sins.

  • In the power of the Holy Spirit in the work of regeneration and His continuing work in the heart of the believer.

  • In the resurrection of the crucified body of our Lord and that blessed hope, His personal return.

  • In the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved and everlasting punishment of the lost.

Students sitting at desks, holding hands, and praying.
OUR MISSION
Children in a group setting reading the Bible with their teacher.

Our History

In October of 1948, a small group of Christian school teachers met in Camden, New Jersey for fellowship and sharing of ideas. The schools represented included: Camden County (NJ) Christian School (now The King's Christian School), Bridgeton (NJ) Christian School, Vineland (NJ) Christian School (now Cumberland Christian School), Wilmington (DE) Christian School, Willow Grove (PA)Christian Day School (later to become part of Phil-Mont Christian Academy), and Kirkwood (PA) Christian School.

​

This "Institute," as it was called, became an annual event and the Association of Christian Schools in the Philadelphia Area, later to be known as the Mid-Atlantic Christian Schools Association, was born. Much has changed in seventy years: there are now 79 schools representing thousands of students. With growth has come diversity, both in the variety of Christian schools represented as well as in the breadth of activities and services offered. During the 1950's new schools joined the association and new activities were added. The original constitution was adopted in 1950. An Institute in the fall, plus two other dinner meetings became part of the annual schedule. In 1959, a Fine Arts Festival as well as the practice of awarding of an annual scholarship was begun.

 

In 1964, a new constitution was adopted with a couple of significant changes. The name was changed to Mid-Atlantic Christian Schools Association. The new constitution also broadened the original constitution's adherence to a distinctively Reformed or Calvinistic position to one which is more broadly evangelical.

​

The 1960s were also a time of turmoil in public education. The Engle v. Vitale and Abington v. Schempp U.S. Supreme Court cases in 1962 and 1963 spelled the official end of prayer and Bible reading in public schools.These landmark cases, both of which originated in the Mid-Atlantic region, served as red flags to Christian parents as to the true state of public education. Nationally, a burgeoning of new Christian schools resulted. 

 

Through the 1970s and 1980s, MACSA benefited from this growth. Not only has membership now close to 65 schools, but the scope of activities and services has also grown. In addition to the activities mentioned earlier, MACSA now sponsors track meets and Bible quizzing. Services include a newsletter, new teachers' orientation, a development seminar, an administrators' luncheon, teacher placement service, and school consultations.

​

In 2017, MACSA hired its current Executive Director, William Stevens, who came from a life-long career of leadership positions in Christian schools in the region.  Bill’s presence ensures that our membership schools always have someone to find support for whatever area is needed.

​

The jewel of MACSA continues to be the annual fall convention. What began in the fall of 1948 as an institute is now a widely acclaimed convention with hundreds of delegates.

​

While MACSA is technically an association of schools, it has been faithful and dedicated individuals whom God has used to accomplish His work. Realizing there is a risk of leaving some out, we still would like to mention some key individuals whom God has used over the years to further the mission of MACSA.

 

Key leaders in the early years included teachers Emily Gray and Mildred Pusey. Later Barbara Peters, Charlotte Kuschke, Penny Pappas, Barbara Blair, Johanna Timmer and Dorothy Cilley were very active in MACSA.  The involvement of Frank Roberts, Bud Gray, Robert Ream, Nancy Jacobsen, Glen Furman, and Les Brubaker spanned several decades. 

​

OUR HISTOY

Our Formerly Elected Presidents

  • 1957 - 1966            

  • 1967                        

  • 1968 - 1993            

  • 1994 - 2000            

  • 2001 - 2003            

  • 2004 - 2006            

  • 2007 - 2009            

  • 2010 - 2012            

  • 2013 - 2016            

  • 2016 - 2019            

  • 2019 - Present       

Joanna Timme

J. Robert Rowe

Arthur Nazigian

Sandy Outlar

Wayne Baker

Charles Bloomfield

Timothy Sierer

Barbara Williams

James Smock

Brendan O'Brien

Jeff Howard

Two individuals who became national leaders in the Christian school movement, but whose roots were in MACSA, were the late Roy W. Lowrie, Jr. and Art Nazigian. Convention directors have included Keith Yoder, Jay Katz, Sandy Outlar, Graham Gilbert, Peter Teague and Don Dawes.

​

The late Frank Gaebelein gave powerful advice to MACSA schools many years ago: "Keep them Christian!" MACSA looks back on our more than 70 exciting years and looks forward to an exciting future of service to the Christian schools movement.

Joanna Timme              J. Robert Rowe

Arthur Nazigian

Sandy Outlar

Wayne Baker

Charles Bloomfield

Timothy Sierer

Barbara Williams

James Smock

Brendan O'Brien

Jeff Howard

View of a meeting through a glass door that says "Boardroom" on it.

Who We Are

How May We Serve You?  The Board voluntarily serve the membership for three-year terms and desire to provide services that will be beneficial for Christian schools.  

Board of Directors

​President

Mr. Jeff Howard

Head of School, Cedar Grove Christian Academy

Philadelphia, PA 

Email: jhoward@cgca.org

 

Vice President

Judi Mollenkof

Assistant Principal, Global Vision Christian School

Hagerstown, MD

Email: judi.mollenkof@broadfording.com

 

Treasurer

Dr. James Smock

Head of School, Timothy Christian School

Piscataway, NJ

Email: jsmock@timothychristian.org

 

Member-at-Large

Suzanne Bruno

Interim Lower School Principal, Hawthrone Christian Academy

Hawthrone, NJ

Email: suzannecbruno@gmail.com

 

Member-at-Large

Mr. John Fedele

Email: j.fedele@verizon.net

WHO WE ARE

Our Staff

Bill Stevens, Executive Director

William F. Stevens, Jr.

Bill joined MACSA as Executive Director in 2017 and is a proven educational leader and advocate for Christian education, having served as a Head of School, a consultant, a writer, a speaker, and an instructor for over 40 years.

​

As Head of School, Bill successfully led Wilmington Christian School, Hockessin, Delaware, and Schenectady Christian School, Scotia, New York, to distinction and developmental growth, through accreditation, strategic planning, board development, and capital campaigns.

​

A tireless advocate for the Christian Schools movement, Bill has served in leadership positions with national and state-wide Christian school associations, including the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and the Delaware Association of Independent Schools. As an ACSI international educational consultant from 1997 to 2000, Bill worked overseas with former Soviet Bloc countries to help them form their own Christian schools. 

​

He holds a Masters in Educational Administration from Regent University and a Bachelor of Arts-History from Gordon College.  He has been married to Roberta Newkirk Stevens for 48 years and is the father of two daughters and the grandfather of three.

conference button.png
bottom of page