“Grounded in Truth, Free to Learn, Ready to Fly” This tag-line sits under the logo of Freedom International School, the third school Francine founded in the Inner City and West End of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Over the past 30 years as an educator, Francine has experienced the ins-and-outs of private Christian Schools, Public Schools, and Homeschooling – and has witnessed the life-changing impact of Holy Spirit lead transformative education. Francine’s work among newcomers to Canada and families who would not otherwise be able to access Christian education, has provided families with a renewed hope for their children – many who have had interrupted education due to war or trauma. Francine and her husband have been married since 1991 and currently live in Winnipeg, Manitoba in a community house with other Jesus followers. They enjoy travelling, sailing, and making good wholesome food from scratch. They have three adult children who’s passions span from Marine Biology, Music, Poetry, and Film Making. 

From when Lauralynn was young, she was passionate about teaching children about Christ’s love and plan for salvation. She took that passion and turned it into a career in Christian education. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Brock University and Redeemer University in Ontario. Lauralynn taught for 8 years at Mississauga Christian Academy and then moved into a combined role of teacher and Principal/Chief Operations Officer at Muskoka Christian School. Muskoka Christian School flourished under Lauralynn’s leadership. It went from a small school, to quadrupling the student body, founding a non-traditional high school, offering connections for homeschool families, and building awareness for Christian education in the community. Lauralynn sees the need for Churches, Parents, and Educators to join forces in equipping children and young people with a solid faith foundation to withstand the perils oof this present world and prepare them for God’s calling on their lives. Lauralynn and her husband’s lives are deeply enriched by their two adult son’s family’s, including their five grandchildren. They call Muskoka, Ontario home, where they truly enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in every season.

Christian education was a big part of Gord’s formative years, as a teenager and young adult, in volunteer support of his local Church’s Christian School. As Bible College graduates, Gord and his wife, Chrissie, both have experience in full-time ministry, including Youth, Christian Education, and Lay Ministry. As parents, and now grandparents of 7, Gord and Chrissie, ensured that their 3 children were enrolled in Christian education, wherever available. Recently, Gord has retired from his position of Risk Manager/Human Resources at Ford Motor Company of Canada and has switched his focus as he continues to see the importance of Christ-centred education. He is passionate to see local churches engage in a grass roots approach to discipleship in their communities. He believes that to, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) is God’s wise council and it is on Parents, Grandparents, and Church Leaders to facilitate. 

Belinda immigrated to Canada 30 years ago from South Africa. She is a mother of 3 adult children and a grandmother. Her sons attended public school and her daughter attended Christian school, where she experienced the radical differences and the desperate need for God to be brought back into schools. Belinda is a firm believer that, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela) As a Montessori Teacher, and early Childhood Educator, and a Special Needs Educator in public, private, and Christian Schools for 18 years she has witnessed and experienced the transformation that Christ-centred, Spirit-filled education has on children and societies. Having worked in the public school system for 10 years, Belinda witnessed the degradation of the system, and she concluded that public schools are beyond redemption and that a Christ-centred system is the only hope. The Church must take back its rightful role in education along with parents as the primary educators of their children. She believes that this movement is the hope that we need to transform children, societies, and the world. Her most recent volunteer work includes volunteering at Barnabas Family Camp, participating in a mission to assist the Tarahumara Indigenous community in Mexico, teaching as a volunteer at Vacation Bible School, contributing to the Schools for Africa Project by fundraising to renovate a school and provide supplies, and serving as a teacher for the Virtues Project. 

Life for Len began in Thailand, born to missionary parents and attending school in Malaysia as a child. When his parents returned from Thailand they settled in Saskatchewan where Len’s education continued at Caronport. Mary grew up in Ontario in the public school system. They both attended Briercrest Bible College and received bachelor’s degrees in Christian Education, Music, and Biblical Studies. Len continued on to receive a Master’s in Theological Studies from Tyndale Seminary in Toronto. Their two oldest boys attended public school in Toronto for their first few years and then the Lord called them to serve at Black Forest Academy in Germany. Having served in Germany and England as dorm parents, facilities manager, church administrator for expats and then Sanctuary (a ministry to host missionaries and Christian workers) they have been part of the

Harold was called to be a missionary teacher in 1968. After studying at Simon Fraser University and theology at Canadian Bible College, Harold taught two years in a public school in Saskatchewan before he and his wife, Betty, went to Germany in 1977 to teach at Black Forest Academy. Harold had multiple roles at BFA, such as teacher, principal, IT director, and more before leaving BFA in 1998 to work with the German Janz Team and completing a Master of Science in Education from Cairn University. He became a global educational consultant, and began maintaining a website with resources for Christian teachers, transformingteachers.org. In 2011 the Klassens moved back to Canada and settled in Abbotsford, B.C. Harold continues his passion to teach about how all of life and learning relates to God and His word. He is an adjunct instructor of Education as Mission in Prairie College’s online Master of Leadership program and actively involved with various groups seeking to provide Christ-in education around the world. The Klassens have four children and eight grandchildren.