Gospel Centered Education

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom and Kelly sit down with CCS alumnus Jonathan (Johnny) Bowling, a live sketch artist, caricature illustrator, and art teacher based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Johnny shares his journey from drawing 70-page comics in first grade at CCS to pursuing art full-time after being inspired by the Pixar film Ratatouille. He reflects on how his foundational education and Christian environment at CCS shaped his faith and identity, giving him the freedom to explore his creative gifts. Johnny candidly discusses his career path, including leaving a soul-crushing corporate job, navigating career setbacks during 2020, and receiving life-changing mentorship from a veteran Disney animator that led him directly into live sketch work for high-profile tech companies.

Throughout the conversation, the group explores the intersection of faith, art, and spiritual warfare, with Johnny offering practical advice for young Christian artists striving for excellence without compromising their calling. He emphasizes the importance of understanding drawing as a mental process of imagination and observation before demonstrating a live digital sketch on stream. Reflecting on the impact of encouraging teachers and early unstructured play, Johnny expresses gratitude for his roots and hopes to return to sketch attendees at the school's upcoming 50th-anniversary celebration.

🔗Helpful Links

GCE on YouTube -
https://youtu.be/4i1ROLaH0tU

Glen Kaene on Beauty and the Beast- https://youtu.be/1Wrc8DCk520

Beast Pencil Transformation- https://youtu.be/xOVlVF3RJQc

#GospelCenteredEducation #LiveSketchArtist #CaricatureArt #FaithAndArt #AlumniVoices #ChristianEducation #ArtMentorship

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

Why is learning to read one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids? In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom Argersinger and Kelly Allen sit down with FSU literacy researcher Dr. Sonia Cabell and CCS Elementary Assistant Principal Ashley Gaskins to answer your top questions about early reading.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Reading for Faith: How early literacy opens the door for your child to read and understand God’s Word independently.

The Phonics Advantage: Why the "science of reading" helps kids decode words faster and read with confidence.

Everyday Word Power: How simple daily conversations build vocabulary and prepare young brains to read.

Parent-Friendly Tips: Encouraging advice on handling invented spelling and supporting your child's natural learning pace.

Tune in to learn practical ways to set your child up for a lifetime of reading success!

Helpful Links:

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FsewTuDmfK4?is=NQl0xSZthiFmZqN2

Writing Into Literacy -Dr. Cabell: https://youtu.be/blNjwxzmCE0?is=m97Njcxz3x7gHHBB

Using Strive for Five Conversations:

https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/trtr.2266

Asking Questions is Just the First Step: https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/trtr.1943

Going Nuts for Words:

https://ila.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/trtr.1967

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom and Kelly welcome Billy Hutchinson, Director of Colson Educators at the Colson Center, to explore how a biblical worldview shapes holistic learning in the classroom and at home. 

Drawing on his extensive experience in Christian education, Hutchinson discusses the distinction between mere information transmission and deep, holistic formation, emphasizing that worldview shapes how we perceive, interpret, and judge reality. The conversation covers practical tools available through Colson Educators, the four foundational pillars of hope, truth, identity, and calling, and how parents—as primary disciple-makers—can integrate biblical principles into everyday family life and culture.

Reminding listeners that God has intentionally placed each person in this specific time and culture, the hosts and guest offer a hopeful, actionable challenge to live under the Lordship of Christ.   

Learn more about The Colson Center at https://ColsonCenter.org/GCE

To learn more about Colson Educators visit, https://colsoneducators.org/GCE

#christianeducation  #BiblicalWorldview #ColsonCenter #ChristianParenting #FaithAndCulture #GospelCentered #Discipleship #HopeInChrist

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom Argersinger and Kelly Allen launch Season 4 by exploring the complex existential challenges facing students and families today, including rising anxiety, technological overreach, and the degradation of foundational social institutions. They discuss how the weakening of the "three-legged stool"—the family, the church, and the school—leaves young people vulnerable to fear and hopelessness when removed from a biblical framework. While acknowledging the heavy burdens of modern life, Tom and Kelly emphasize that genuine hope is found in Jesus, encouraging listeners to practice intentionality through immersion in Scripture, subversive joy, silence, and a renewed fear of the Lord.   

#GospelCenteredEducation #ChristianEducation #FaithAndCulture #ChristianPodcast #BiblicalWorldview #HopeInJesus 

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

In this summer update episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom and Kelly dive into the exciting developments, improvements, and vision for the upcoming school year at Community Christian School in Tallahassee, Florida.

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom and Kelly are joined by CCS school board president Daniel Hautamaki to discuss the recent State of the School meeting and insights from the parent campus expansion survey.

The conversation outlines the school's nuanced two-part expansion strategy, which balances immediate short-term facility investments on their current campus with a long-term dream of acquiring land and building a fresh school on the northeast side of town. Additionally, the trio addresses pressing community questions regarding future tuition increases to fund faculty raises, the potential introduction of uniforms, the introduction of the Parent Square app, and immediate facility security upgrades.

Throughout all these logistical updates, they reinforce that CCS remains strictly dedicated to its foundation of gospel-centered education and biblical theology.

🔗Helpful Links
https://youtu.be/OXezQY7fN-M

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

Join us for another special episode of the Gospel-Centered Education podcast, specifically designed for our stakeholders who participated in our school’s recent campus expansion survey.

Hosts Tom and Kelly unpack the school’s "Kingdom mission” and address operational concerns. 

Tom outlines a multi-layered security upgrade—including a new perimeter fence, additional cameras, and AI-powered weapon detection software—while detailing efforts to modernize communication.

In this episode, we reinforce Community Christian School's unwavering commitment to its gospel-centered mission amidst cultural pressures.

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

Join us for a special episode of the Gospel-Centered Education podcast, specifically designed for our stakeholders who participated in our recent campus expansion survey. We’re pulling back the curtain on how we align our strategic growth with our mission.

We explore four critical questions:

• The Covenantal Model: Why our identity drives our decisions.

• Campus Security: Prioritizing safety through a biblical lens.

• Our Location: The intentionality behind where we plant our roots.

• Population Growth: Navigating expansion while maintaining community.

Tune in for an inside look at how we’re planning for the future while staying grounded in Christ.

#NewEpisode #EducationPodcast #ChristianPodcast #StakeholderEngagement #SchoolGrowth #ListenNow

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, we travel (virtually) to Montreal, Canada, to catch up with Erin Esguerra, a 2017 graduate of Community Christian School.

Erin’s journey is a powerful testament to how a high school elective can spark a lifelong calling. Today, she is the co-owner of a language school where she equips professionals in French, English, and Spanish. But for Erin, language isn't just about business—it’s about "crossing barriers" to share the Gospel in one of the most secular regions of North America.

Inside the Episode:

• The Power of Language: How a Spanish class in Tallahassee paved the way for a career in Quebec and ministry opportunities with neighbors from all over the world.

• Thinking Critically, Not Complacently: Erin reflects on the transition from the "Christian bubble" of the South to the multicultural reality of Montreal, and how CCS’s philosophy and ethics courses gave her the tools to engage in "honorable dialogue."

• The J-Rex Impact: A look back at the Junior Research Exhibition (J-Rex) and how the rigors of high school research prepared her to outpace her peers in the university setting.

• Shining Through Excellence: Discussing the CCS axiom of "doing good work to bring glory to God" and how professional excellence provides a seat at the table in unreached communities.

• Progress Over Perfection: Erin shares how she navigates the challenges of entrepreneurship and language learning by embracing imperfection as a space for God to work.

Key Quote:

"When you know different languages, you're able to cross barriers... you're able to connect with people that you never thought you'd be able to connect with.”

Listen now to hear how the foundations laid in the classroom continue to impact the Kingdom across borders.

#GospelCenteredEducation #CCSTallahassee #AlumniVoices #ChristianEducation #KingdomImpact #HonorableDialogue

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford 

In this episode of the Gospel Centered Education Podcast, hosts Tom and Kelly are joined by Dr. Angela Long, the Chief Engagement Officer at Tallahassee State College, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Long, a nationally recognized researcher and speaker who recently represented U.S. education at the United Nations AI for Good Summit, explores the shift toward Industry 5.0 and the emergence of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The conversation highlights the urgent need for "human-led, tech-supported" learning, emphasizing that while AI can replicate many technical tasks, essential human "durable skills"—such as critical thinking, leadership, and socio-emotional intelligence—are more vital than ever. From discussing the political landscape and the AI Bill of Rights to the importance of maintaining a faith-based perspective on truth and human value, this episode provides a roadmap for parents and educators to ensure students are truly future-ready in an automated age.

#ArtificialIntelligence #AIinEducation #FutureOfEducation #gospelcenterededucation

Questions or Comments?

Produced by Vance Rutherford