Jeff Keaton | Ep. 165

The Real Challenges Facing Christian Education Today

Show Notes:

“I want schools and school associations to be vigilant… We need to do whatever it takes to maintain our ability to teach biblical truth at all costs.” - Jeff Keaton

Christian education is growing, but growth brings new pressures.

In this episode of Teacher Edition, Jenny welcomes back Jeff Keaton, founder and CEO of RenewaNation, for an honest, wide-angle conversation about where Christian schools are today and where they’re headed next.

Drawing from decades of experience as a church planter, school planter, and national speaker, Jeff offers a candid “field report” on what he’s seeing across the country. From post-COVID enrollment shifts to deep worldview challenges, he identifies three critical pressures facing Christian schools right now: secularized parents, secularized teachers, and government funding.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

• Why post-COVID enrollment growth is leveling off—and why that isn’t a bad thing

• The danger of prioritizing growth over culture

• How secularized parents influence school direction (often unintentionally)

• Why biblical worldview formation must be intentional, not assumed

• The challenge of secularized teachers—even inside Christian schools

• Why vetting, training, and ongoing formation matter more than ever

• Government funding: opportunity, caution, and vigilance

Together, Jenny and Jeff unpack how schools can protect culture, strengthen biblical worldview formation, and lead courageously without compromising truth.

​​“The reason why I love the BJU textbooks so much is because they show in real time what biblical worldview thinking… actually looks like.” - Jeff Keaton

“If they’re not studying outside of the classroom… they’re not going to have an overflow of it.” - Jeff Keaton

Every day in the classroom is YOUR day to impact and inspire through God’s power and grace working in you. 

Go do what God has called you to do!

Resources Mentioned:

• Saving Our Children In a World Gone Crazy by Jeff Keaton: https://a.co/d/2JeYUEp

• Website: https://www.renewanation.org/

• RenewaNation Viewfinder: https://www.renewanation.org/the-viewfinder

• RenewaNation SEED Program: https://reap.renewanation.org/seed/

• Authors referenced: Nancy Pearcey, Francis Schaeffer, Chuck Colson

• Scripture focus: Numbers 11:1–17

  
  

About Our Guest:

Jeff Keaton

As a successful pastor, church and school planter, and ministry entrepreneur, Jeff Keaton has spent his adult life believing that through Christ, anything is possible. As the founder, chairman, and CEO of RenewaNation, he now speaks across America, challenging the church to reach the world for Christ and to get involved in the great cause of giving children a Christian world­view education.

Podcast Sponsor:

Now, more than ever, children need a learning experience that enables them to think critically, advances them academically, and encourages them to live biblically.  BJU Press serves Christian educators with academically rigorous resources written from a biblical worldview to prepare the next generation to be salt and light in society. We are committed to doing everything we can so Christian education can do everything it must. Visit our website today or contact your Territory Manager to learn more.