About Us

God brought together a small group of educators and businessmen who were very concerned about the decline in Christian faith-based schools’ enrollment. They began meeting monthly with each other and with other leaders in different faith communities. Their challenge was how they together could promote faith-based education rooted in Biblical values.

After much prayer and deliberation, the net result of these meetings was a decision to seek organization as a Wisconsin not-for-profit corporation. By-laws were approved as was the status of a 501(C)(3) Corporation. The decision then was made to develop a website to promote faith-based schools.

The website was launched on January 1, 2016. Sheboygan county faith-based schools were invited to apply for listing on the website. Radio ads were
run on two local stations and used to heighten awareness of faith-based schools and bring attention to our website.

The Board Committee, which reviewed school applications for listing on the website, reported
that 13 of the existing 14 faith-based schools, operating in the county at that time, had applied and were approved for listing. That included three Catholic schools, seven Lutheran schools, and three independent Christian Schools.

A volunteer at one of the schools agreed to establish and manage a Facebook account/page. This was a media that we felt, would be quite effective in our effort to reach young parents.

We began featuring member schools in the “School of the Week” section on the website and also on social media. This was a way we could also include information about events held at the listed schools.

Presentations by AXIS, an organization from Colorado Springs, were made to learn about the possible negative effects of too much screen time via hand held devices, computers of all kinds, and television. Students and parents from Catholic, Lutheran, Reformed and other faith communities attended.

Billboard advertising was started. Simple questions were asked such as “Concerned about your child’s education?” or “Is your child prepared for life?” Our website was listed at the bottom. This, along with social media postings and radio advertising greatly increased the number of pages viewed on the website. There were 1,384 pages viewed by 710 visitors from January through March, 2017.

We participated in the Sheboygan 4th of July, the Holland Festival, and Christmas parades. Along the parade routes, school students handed out promotional 4”x 6” cards with questions similar to our billboard ads. The cards also included our QR code which linked to our website.

The 14th school, had been approved for listing,thereby encompassing every existing faith-based school in Sheboygan County.

Articles about the value of faith-based education written by educational leaders and testimonials from current parents from each listed school were
added to our website as a resource for parents. A synopsis of the Wisconsin School Choice Program
and pertinent information including a link to the state application was also added to our website.

This board, composed of higher profile leaders in the community, agreed to be available for advice
to the Board of Directors and be listed on our website as a credible testimony to the importance of faith-based schools in our community.

Digital advertising was begun in place of billboards. It was very effective as to bringing traffic to our website. In January – April, we saw a 300% increase in visits to our website.

We praise and thank God for the encouraging enrollment numbers for all faith-based schools in Sheboygan County over the last three years:
2020 –1816 • 2021–1989 • 2022 – 2056

Faith Based Education Sponsored a Presentation by Dr. David Smith, Professor of Education and Director of the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning at Calvin University. He also serves as Editor of the International Journal of Christianity and Education.

This was a great opportunity to gain additional incites for teaching from a Christian perspective. A native of the United Kingdom, David earned his B.A. in Modern Languages (German and Russian) from the University of Nottingham. After teaching French, German and Russian in secondary schools for a number of years, he went on to gain an M. Phil.F in Philosophy of Education/Philosophical Theology from the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto before completing his Ph. D. in Education at the University of London. He has taught at Calvin University since 2000.

In addition to many articles, blogs, and podcasts, Dr. Smith has authored a number of publications which you have previously been made aware of and can be found at www.onchristianteaching.com

Faith Based Education Sponsored a Marketing / Enrollment Management Workshop held at Sheboygan Lutheran High School.

Thank you to Ann Steenwyk and Sheboygan Christian for approving of Rudi Gesch's leading of the workshop; to Sheboygan Lutheran High School for making their fine facility available and to Rudi for his willingness to share his time and talent. 

Faith Based Education Sponsored a presentation by Dr. Cosgrove at Lutheran High for all teachers and faculty of our member schools. Dr Cosgrove had many insights for developing the Christian mind.  Handouts were also provided.

The Board of Directors continues to meet regularly to promote faith-based education in Sheboygan County with the desire to expand into neighboring
counties and beyond in the future. Futher, it is our sincere hope that our efforts may serve as an example to Christians in other locations.