Our Board

Dr. S. L. Sherrill founded North Raleigh Christian Academy in 1996 and served as its only Superintendent for the past 22 years. In August of 2018, Dr. Sherrill stepped down as Superintendent and was honored as Superintendent Emeritus. Under Dr. Sherrill’s leadership, NRCA has grown and maintained a student body of 1400+ students, PreK-12th grade, for the past 12 years. Today, the 63-acre school campus houses a 290,000 square feet state-of-the-art facility with the latest in wireless technology being an iPad 1:1 campus. The facilities include 74 academic classrooms, 3 science labs, 5 computer labs, greenhouse, 500-seat fine arts center, art studios, drama/dance studio, student life center, cafeteria, media center with 30,000 volumes, three gymnasiums, football stadium, soccer stadium, indoor aquatic center, baseball and softball fields, practice fields, two fitness centers, and an athletic field house. The facilities are valued at 48 million dollars. The school completed an $8,000,000 expansion eight years ago that allows the accommodation of 1500 students. The school is a debt-free ministry.[br]Dr. Sherrill has served for forty-nine years in Christian education. He began as a Youth and Bus Pastor at Neuse Baptist Church in 1971. He served as a Youth Pastor and Christian schoolteacher in Pasadena, Texas at Greenwood Baptist Church and School. He was Youth Pastor, Camp Director, and High School Principal at Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy, Festus, Missouri, beginning in 1976. He became Couples for Christ Pastor at the mega church, Lima Baptist Temple, Lima, Ohio, in 1977, growing the young couple’s class from 40 to 150 and taught Bible at Temple Christian School. He became Senior Pastor at Central Fellowship Baptist Church and President of Central Fellowship Christian School, Macon, GA., in 1981, growing the church to 500 and the school to 700 over 9 years. Realizing his first love was working with young people, he become Head of School at Tampa’s Temple Heights Christian School in 1990 with a student body of 900. He returned to Raleigh in 1992 to be Administrator of Friendship Christian School where the school grew from 400-800 students in four years. In 1996, God led him to start North Raleigh Christian Academy, Raleigh, NC. As Founder and Superintendent, the school grew to near full enrollment with 1400+ students in 12 years and has remained over 1400 for the past 12 years. He retired August of 2018 and was honored to as NRCA’s Superintendent Emeritus. He is currently serving as ACSI Field Director for North Carolina and Executive Senior Consultant for NACS and Renewanation doing professional development and school assessments. Dr. Sherrill is a strong advocate of Kingdom education that links the family, school, and church. He served as the District 3 Representative for the Southeast Region of ACSI (Eastern North Carolina) for 20 years overseeing more than 50 schools. He has served as Board President for Joshua Expeditions and the National Alliance of Christian Schools (formerly the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools)., both organizations for more than 15 years. He also consults with schools in governance, accreditation, strategic planning, marketing, and the development of staff and curriculum through KingdomEd101, a ministry he founded, NACS, and Renewantion. The past fourteen years, he has conducted Christian School 101 seminars to challenge and train Christian educators in Kingdom education and how to start schools based on Kingdom education principles. Over 40 schools have been established as a result of this endeavor. He also serves on the Board of Alpha International Ministry (AIM) that establishes churches and Christian schools in India and the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders Board (FCC), a ministry to churches and Christian schools through cheerleading.

Dr. Sherrill has two earned doctorate degrees and was honored in 2007 by his alma mater, Tennessee Temple University with an honorary Doctor of Divinity for thirty-five years of educational service. Dr. Sherrill began his studies at Louisburg College (AA,71), then went on to the Texas College of Theology (ThB,72), Tennessee Temple University (BA,76), Faith Baptist Theological Seminary (ThM,79, ThD,81), and Faith Seminary (MCE, 85, DCE, 88). In addition, he has 18 hours on the Master’s level in counseling from Liberty University and 15 hours in school administration from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Dr. Sherrill married Debbie Bierer, the love of his life, in 1974, who also is an alumnus of Tennessee Temple University, Class of 1974. They are blessed with two daughters, Joy and Jennifer. Currently, they have four grandchildren. Emma Elaine and Ava Marie are the children of Kevin and Joy Mathes. David Arthur and Harper Joy are the children of Aaron and Jennifer Allsbrook.

Dr. Jason Nave serves as the Head of School at Bay Area Christian School in League City, Texas. BACS is co-located with its host church, Bay Area Church, and serves 815 students pre-K through 12th grade. He has served BACS in this role since the fall of 2013. Prior to BACS, he served in multiple administrative positions at University Christian School in Jacksonville, Florida where he taught Bible and coached football and track. He initially started his career in education in the public school system in East Tennessee serving both the Washington County and Knox County Department of Education as an English teacher and football, wrestling, and track coach. Jason received his BA in English Education at the secondary level and minored in coaching at East Tennessee State University (’01) while also receiving letters in both football and track. His master’s degree in Educational Leadership is from Lincoln Memorial University (’08), and his doctorate in Educational Leadership is from Liberty University (’19). He is a strong believer in Kingdom Education and considers Ed Gamble, Glen Schultz, and Larry Taylor formative figures in his desire to serve in Christian education. He and his wife of 18 years, Jaren, have two boys, Smith and Knox, and have fostered five children. They live in Friendswood, Texas and enjoy exercise, travel, and serving their local church.

Dave Buckles is the President of Foundation Academy. He holds an MBA in Business Administration from Capella University, an Associate in Divinity from the Baptist College of Florida, and an Associate in Construction from Seminole State College. Mr. Buckles is also an ordained minister. Since becoming president in 2015, the school has grown in attendance and land as we have added a third campus. Mr. Buckles has led the efforts in completing the Master Development Plan for the Tilden Campus, which includes new classroom buildings, a sports field, and a fine arts center. Under Mr. Buckles’s leadership, Foundation Academy has become a premier educational institution. In 2020 he was named one of Central Florida’s top CEO’s by Orlando Business Journal. In 2022, the School was named the best workplace by Orlando Business Journal. David also leads the Central Florida Chapter of Schools United. 

Edward E. Gamble is a life-long teacher and Christian school leader. During a calling that spans five decades, he has served as a teacher and headmaster in four private and Christian schools, including The First Academy at First Baptist Church Orlando and Central Florida Christian Academy at First Baptist Church Central Florida. From January 2003 until his retirement in July 2016 he served as Executive Director of the Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools (SBACS), the national organization representing the interests of over 750 Christian schools and their sponsoring churches. He now serves on the SBACS board and continues to serve as a senior consultant, helping start Christian schools, assisting schools with planning and training. He has committed his experience, energy and passion to providing America’s children with a sacred education instead of a secular one. His mission is to lead children and families to Christ by bringing the cause of Kingdom Education* to the forefront in churches and communities.

Speaking and consulting in churches, schools, associations and conventions, Ed builds the case for Christians to make true disciples of our own children through Biblical worldview education. He is an advocate of the Kingdom School model, a set of school behaviors based on Biblical principles and driven by the school’s mission as the best way to start, grow and preserve schools of excellence. He has taught school leaders and boards on governance, church-school alignment, Biblical worldview, financial stability, development and marketing and other issues relating to school health. SBACS provides services for existing Christian schools, helps restore struggling ones to good health, start new Christian schools and awaken churches, pastors and congregations to the need for American children to receive a Kingdom Education. During his years at SBACS he helped start thirty-three new Christian schools across the country.

Ed has served on boards and committees of various educational leadership and community organizations such as the Memphis Association of Independent Schools, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), Boy Scouts of America, Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools (SBACS), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the B.R. Chamberlain Foundation for Public Enrichment, Joshua Expeditions and The First Orlando Foundation. He is a life-long Southern Baptist, a Southern Baptist minister and adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University where he teaches general science.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Ed is a graduate of the University of Memphis with a BS in Zoology/Chemistry and an MAT in Secondary Education. Married since 1972 to Wanda, his high school sweetheart, they have three grown children, all graduates of Christian schools. Ed and Wanda are members of First Baptist Church Orlando where he serves as a part-time teacher in the Friends and Family Bible study class, a life group they started 27 years ago. Ed and Wanda’s favorite pastime now is spending time with their three grandchildren and traveling. Ed also loves teaching, fly fishing, gardening, restoring broken things, and meeting new people around the world through his internet sales business.

Chuck currently serves as the Senior Director for the Eastern Division of ACSI. Prior to coming to ACSI in 2020, Chuck served at Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (ELCA) in the Atlanta area for 22 years, with the last 13 as Assistant Head and Head of School.  He has taught on the elementary, middle, and high school level, and has also served as middle and high school principal at ELCA. Chuck has been involved in Christian education for the past 25 years. Originally from Athens, GA, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Social Studies from Clearwater Christian College, a Masters in the Art of Teaching from Piedmont College, and his Ed.S. in Leadership from Arkansas State University. He is currently completing his doctorate at North Greenville University. Chuck and his wife Julie have been married for 25 years and they are the proud parents of eight children ranging in ages from 6-22.

Richard Hardee is the Head of School at Calvary Day School in Winston-Salem, NC where he has served since 2014. The Day School was established in 1971 as a ministry of Calvary Baptist Church. Prior to Calvary, Richard served as the founding Head of School at High Point Christian Academy where he led the school for eighteen years. He is a graduate of Gardner-Webb University and earned his Master’s degree in Educational Administration from Liberty University. Richard serves as an Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) Regional Council Member and he recently served on the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA) Board of Directors. Richard is a member of the pastoral staff at Calvary and fills the pulpit on occasion. He and his wife Traci have been married for 30 years and have three sons; Drew, Caleb, and Ben.

Lisa Kleinmann is the Head of School at Southwest Florida Christian Academy (SFCA) in Ft. Myers, Florida. She has worked in the field of Christian education for over twenty-five years and nineteen of those years in administration. She developed several of SFCA’s programs including its thriving Student Leadership Academy of which she still directs.
Lisa earned a B.S. in Elementary Education from Florida Southern College and a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from Florida Gulf Coast University. She holds certification through the Association of Christian Schools International and the State of Florida. Lisa is passionate about Kingdom Education and serves in a variety of capacities outside of SFCA. In addition to her role with the National Alliance of Christian Schools (NACS), she serves as an Accreditation Team Member, a Regional Council Member, and a Field Director for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
Lisa and her husband, Keith, reside in Cape Coral, Florida, and have two grown children.

Dr. Mayes is the Superintendent of Parkview Baptist School, a ministry of Parkview Baptist Church, in Baton Rouge, LA. Prior to that, he served as Superintendent of Indian Rocks Christian School, serving as the head of school for IRCS and Indian Rocks VERITAS Academy. He has a B.A. from Marshall University in Business Administration. He also holds an M.A. in Christian Studies and a Doctor of Education, both from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His wife, April, currently serves as the Fine Arts Director at Parkview Baptist Church. They have two children, Daniel (PBS Class of 2018) and Kesley (IRCS Class of 2013). Dr. Mayes also serves as the Association of Christian Schools International Regional Counsel.

• I hold a Ed.S in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Technical University.
• This year marks my 38th year in Christian Education. I have served in some type of administrative role for 36 of the  38 years.
• I served as Athletic Director for both middle and high school at Pathway Day School for 3 years.
• I served as head baseball and football coach at Memorial Day School for 2 years.
• I served as middle school assistant principal and athletic director at Savannah Christian Preparatory School for 7 years.
• I served as the Executive Director of the Savannah Parochial Athletic League for 3 years while serving at SCPS.
• I served as the Upper School Head at Northwood Academy for 4 years.
• I served on the South Carolina Independent School Association accreditation committee for two years while serving at NA.
• I served as the high school principal at Christian Academy of Knoxville for 16 years and the assistant HOS for the last 6 years at CAK.
• I served as a  member of the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools planning committee for east Tennessee for 5 years.
• I served as a member of the Southeast Accreditation Committee for ACSI for 6 years.
• I am currently in my 6th year as the HOS at Concord Christian School.
• I have served on 20+ accreditation visits for both ACSI and SCISA, chairing 6 visits.
• This month  Marcy Snider and I celebrate our 37th year of marriage. We have two daughters who both serve at Concord Christian School.