Phil Baker, MA is the Founder and President of MSO. After 18 years in local church ministry, Phil served for 10 years as a professor of Youth Ministry at the University of Valley Forge, and has his M.A. from Huntington University. For 6 years, he served at GT Church in West Lawn, Pennsylvania overseeing the growth of their Global Missions and Local Outreach, and currently serves with Africa’s Hope as their Director of Development. As the founder and president of MSO, his vision is to impact ministry on a global scale by helping to raise up ministry leaders with a solid foundation of biblical and theological faithfulness, ministry specialization, and personal and professional development.

Beth R. Baker, EdD taught for 15 years as a public school teacher and also as an adjunct professor in the education department at the University of Valley Forge in Pennsylvania. She has also served in various churches, as a children’s ministry coordinator, children’s camp counselor and speaker, children & youth choir director, and nursery coordinator. Her experience in raising four children while serving in ministry, as well as teaching in both the public and private sectors, gives her a unique insight into the needs of children of diverse ages and backgrounds. Beth also serves as MSO’s Director of Curriculum and Instruction. You can reach Beth at bbaker@ministrystudiesonline.com.

Katerina Bonaignore has spent 10 years in local church ministry, serving as both a Kids Pastor and Family Ministries Pastor. She earned a BA in Ministerial Leadership and a BS in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Non-Profit from Southeastern University. She is deeply passionate about cultivating the next generation, a commitment she lives out both in her professional ministry and as a mother of two young daughters. In her current role as MSO Admissions Director, she continues to blend her academic background and practical experience to shape and support future leaders in ministry. We are so blessed to have Kat provide support to new MSO students and to our growing list of XLA pastors and directors! You can reach Kat at connect@ministrystudiesonline.com