The Bush Center
Engaging Christian Leadership Conference
Join us January 26-27, 2026
Save the Date!
The Engaging Christian School Leadership Conference is a two-day event designed to equip both emerging and seasoned leaders in Christian schools and organizations with practical skills and vision for impactful leadership that is uniquely designed for Christian educators. With two distinct strands—one for those developing their leadership and one for those already serving in leadership roles—the conference offers targeted training, expert insights, and interactive breakout sessions tailored to each stage of the leadership journey. Whether you're a classroom teacher aspiring to lead or a senior administrator seeking to refine your skills, this event provides a focused opportunity to grow, connect, and reflect on your leadership in meaningful ways.
Engaging Christian Leadership Conference will take place on January 26-27, 2026, in Houston, Texas at The George and Barbara Bush Center for Scholars and Leaders at Houston Christian High School.
Early-bird registration for the conference will be $199. Capacity is limited, so please register early to avoid price increases. This intimate environment fosters maximum engagement, allowing everyone to participate in the conversation.
We look forward to seeing you at ECLC26!
*If purchasing tickets for a team of five or more, please contact bushcenter@houstonchristian.org for a discount code.
About the Conference
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Conference Topics
The conference builds excellence through two key areas:
Leading Through- Leaders navigate diverse organizational seasons—from change management and team dynamics to crisis response and daily operational challenges. Effective leadership requires developing adaptive skills to guide organizations through these varied circumstances.
- These sessions equip participants at all organizational levels with essential skills and strategic perspectives to achieve desired outcomes, regardless of their current leadership position.
- Leadership and influence flow both upward and downward throughout organizations. Leading Up amplifies reach and multiplies impact across all levels.
- Effective upward leadership requires adaptive skills tailored to different supervisory relationships. From classroom teachers to Heads of School, leaders navigate diverse organizational dynamics.
- These sessions develop essential skills and strategies for leaders to create meaningful organizational impact regardless of their hierarchical position.
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Conference Details
Our conference will include:- Round-table style group discussion
- Inspiration from industry experts and thought leaders
- Breakfast, Lunch, and light bites will be provided
- Campus tour of Houston Christian High School
- Networking and building new connections with colleagues across the country
Keynote Speakers
Head of School
Grace Community School
Jay Ferguson, J.D., Ph.D. has been the Head of School at Grace Community School in Tyler, Texas, for over fifteen years. Under his leadership, the school achieved Blue Ribbon Exemplary status in 2015 and 2017. Jay is also an adjunct professor at several colleges, including Covenant College, Gordon College, and Dallas Baptist University, and recently served on the adjunct faculties of the Van Lunen Center at Calvin College and at Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University. He holds leadership positions in the education sector; currently, he serves as Chair-Elect of the executive board of the Association of Christian Schools International. Previous leadership positions include President of the Board of the Texas Private School Association and former Chair of the Board of the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability.
President
San Marcos Academy
Dr. Brian N Guenther is the current President of San Marcos Academy. In May 2018, he was named Interim Academic Dean of the Academy after serving three years as Associate Academic Dean for the SMA Lower and Middle schools. Prior to joining the Academy staff, he spent eight years as Head of School and three years as music teacher and chaplain at the Master’s School of San Marcos. Additionally, he served as a teaching pastor for River Stone Community Church in San Marcos from 2004 to 2011 and as a youth and worship pastor at First Baptist Church in Kingsland, Texas for five years. Dr. Guenther is a certified superintendent, principal, and teacher. He received his Ed.D. Degree in Education, Educational Leadership, and Administration from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB). He also holds a Master of Arts in Christian Higher Education Administration from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from UMHB. Currently, he serves as President of the Accreditation Commission of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools.
Dr. D. Michael Lindsay
President
Taylor University
D. Michael Lindsay, Ph.D., serves as the President of Taylor University, one of the nation’s leading Christian universities. Since he assumed the Taylor presidency, the University has experienced significant momentum in admissions, advancement, athletics, community collaboration, employee and constituent engagement, and faith expression on campus. Lindsay credits these good results to a talented leadership team and board and the servant-leadership of faculty and staff across the Taylor campus.
Lindsay came to Taylor after a decade of distinguished service as president of Gordon College on Boston’s North Shore. Prior to arriving at Gordon, Lindsay was a member of the sociology faculty at Rice University, where he won multiple awards both for his teaching and academic research. He is the author of two dozen scholarly publications and numerous books, including... read more here.
President
Taylor University
D. Michael Lindsay, Ph.D., serves as the President of Taylor University, one of the nation’s leading Christian universities. Since he assumed the Taylor presidency, the University has experienced significant momentum in admissions, advancement, athletics, community collaboration, employee and constituent engagement, and faith expression on campus. Lindsay credits these good results to a talented leadership team and board and the servant-leadership of faculty and staff across the Taylor campus.
Lindsay came to Taylor after a decade of distinguished service as president of Gordon College on Boston’s North Shore. Prior to arriving at Gordon, Lindsay was a member of the sociology faculty at Rice University, where he won multiple awards both for his teaching and academic research. He is the author of two dozen scholarly publications and numerous books, including... read more here.
Accommodations
As an out-of-town participant of the Engaging Christian Leadership Conference, please check back soon for accommodation information.
Conference Scholarship
We strongly believe that everyone deserves equal opportunities, and financial constraints should not be a hindrance to anyone's aspirations. Therefore, we are pleased to offer limited scholarships to those who may be in need. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is January 10th, so we encourage all interested candidates to apply as soon as possible.
Click here for the Scholarship Application.
Click here for the Scholarship Application.
Attendee Review
"I would encourage anyone who is considering traveling to the conference next year to do so. The speakers were exceptional, the structure was purposeful, and the topics were broad enough to encompass leaders at every level while also containing truly meaningful content. My thinking was both affirmed and challenged throughout the conference. Learning about strong Christian leadership in our schools was powerful and motivating. It's only been a couple of weeks since the conference ended, yet I have had multiple opportunities to practice and share what I learned." - ECLC24 Participant
ECLC Advisory Council
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Dr. Darren Price, Dr. Brian Guenther, Ms. Leanne Messer, Dr. Jay Ferguson, Mr. Stephen Novotny, Mrs. Julie Ambler, Mrs. Mindy Dickerson, Dr. Matt Thomas
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