Phil Baker, M.A. - MSO Founder and President
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 Master of Arts in Youth Ministry Leadership 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. As the Founder and President of MSO, his vision is to impact ministry on a global scale by helping to reach and disciple ministry leaders with a solid foundation of biblical and theological faithfulness, ministry specialization, and personal and professional development.

Beth R. Baker, Ed.D
Beth 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.

Jim Bradford, Ph.D.

Jim serves as the Lead Pastor of Central Assembly in Springfield, Missouri, and holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota. As a student he led a small Chi Alpha campus Bible study that eventually grew into a university church. With a strong sense of God’s call on his life for vocational ministry, Jim has also pastored churches in Costa Mesa, Ca., Vancouver, British Columbia, and Springfield, Mo. For eight years, he served as one of the four executives who led the Assemblies of God National Office. He is a highly sought after teacher who is called on to speak around the world. He is married to Sandi and they have two married daughters. Jim is also the author of three books, “Lead So Others Can Follow,” “Preaching: Maybe It is Rocket Science,” and “Second Chronicles Seven Fourteen: A 28-Day Journey in Prayer.” Hear his weekly conversations on The Jim Bradford Podcast.

Katerina Bonaignore, BA, BS

Kat 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. Besides serving as a facilitating professor, she serves as MSO’s 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!

Daniel Day, Ph.D.

Since 2003, Daniel has served in ministry as a Lead Pastor, Church Planter, Student Pastor, and educator. He has taught on a number of topics in the realm of Practical Theology for schools such as Southeastern University, Northpoint Bible College and Graduate School, S.U.M. Bible College and Seminary, and Trinity Bible College.

His heart and vision are to assist in raising up the next generation of Spirit-filled ministers. For Professor Day, nothing is greater than to see students fully equipped to become who God has called them to be and to go where God has called them to go. Daniel currently serves with his family as the Lead Pastor for First Assembly of God in Onalaska, TX. Daniel has a Master’s degree in Christian Leadership and his doctorate in Higher Education and Christian Leadership.

David Dippold, D.Min.
David has 16 years of pastoral ministry experience serving both in staff positions and as a senior pastor. He has been a professor at the University of Valley Forge since 1996. He has also served as an adjunct faculty person with the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He has an M.A. in Biblical Languages with a double concentration in both Greek and Hebrew. His doctorate is in Theological Reflection. Dr. Dippold also teaches and conducts staff training at various local churches.

Jerome Douglas, Ph.D.

Jerome serves as the Vice President for Academic Affairs at Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights, Illinois and has a deep professional and educational history. He holds a B.A., M.A., and M.Div. from Oral Roberts University. He earned a Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Marquette University, where his research focused on the book of Ecclesiastes. In addition, he holds an MBA in management from Eastern University. For 16 years he served at the University of Valley Forge in various roles from professor to Vice President of Academic Affairs. Prior to his time at Valley Forge, Dr. Douglas served congregations in Texas, Oklahoma, and Wisconsin.

John Easter, Ph.D.

John’s ministry reflects 10 years of pastoral ministry and 20 years as an Assemblies of God missionary with a focus on theological education. From 2013-2021, he served as Executive Director of Africa's Hope-a resource organization supporting educational initiatives in 46 countries through the efforts of over 380 schools that equip over 23,000 students annually across Africa.

John has served as the Director of Partnership Development for Assemblies of God World Missions (AGWM), and in 2023 was elected as the Executive Director of AGWM which has over 2,600 cross-cultural missionaries serving in nearly 190 countries of the world.

Roger Erdvig, Ed.D.

Roger is an author, leader, and scholar who finds his greatest joy in helping to develop emerging leaders. Dr. Erdvig is the headmaster at Wilmington Christian School in northern Delaware. With a doctorate in education from Liberty University, Roger is passionate about helping Christian educators from the preschool to the university more effectively nurture the development of a biblical worldview in their students.

Dick Gruber, D.Min.

Dick is currently serving as Children’s Pastor at Crosspoint Church in Waverly Iowa. Prior to this, he served as the Professor of Children and Family Studies at the University of Valley Forge in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. He has authored five children’s ministries books, and has had over 200 articles appear in children’s ministries publications world-wide. 

Dr. Gruber has ministered to children and children’s workers in conferences, camps, and seminars across America and in fourteen countries. Dr. Gruber was chosen as one of Group Publishing’s Top 20 most influential and impacting voices in children’s ministries today, and in 2017, Gruber was awarded a Lifetime Impact Award by the Assemblies of God for “over four decades of shaping the future of children’s ministry.”

Ron Hall, D.Min.
Ron has served for 18 years in pastoral ministry, including two church plants, and 17 years in Christian higher education at the University of Valley Forge in Pennsylvania and Northwest University in Washington. His passion is to see people develop tools and skills necessary to reach today's culture through a solid understanding of the Bible and its implications in people's lives today. He has two masters degrees and a doctorate all related to counseling, biblical studies and pastoral ministry.  Ron currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Mark Hausfeld, D.Min.

Mark currently serves as Vice President of Institutional Innovation at Trinity Bible College and Graduate School. He has also served as President of PAK7 USA, a media ministry to the Church in Pakistan. He and his wife, Lynda, have more than 30 years of ministry experience both in the United States and abroad, including pastoring in south-side Chicago for 10 years, and in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. From July 2015 until May 2017, Dr. Hausfeld served as president of the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. Mark’s primary focus today is empowering the church locally and globally to be informed, trained and equipped to engage and reach Muslim peoples and those of other world religions who have come to the West.

He has a passion for equipping Spirit-empowered servant leaders with the highest quality scholarship and training. His focus has centered on evangelism, discipleship and church planting in urban marketplace settings in North America and restricted contexts in Central Asia and far-reaching global Muslim communities.

Bill Hennessy, D.Min.
Bill is an ordained minister with the Assemblies of God and has served in multiple cross-cultural contexts for over four decades of ministry. Along with his wife, Marie, Bill planted and pastored more than 20 churches in the United States and Africa. Bill has served as a seminary president, program director, lecturer, church planter, and public speaker. For three years, Bill served as Vice President of Academics at Trinity Bible College and Graduate School and currently serves as the Lead Pastor at Life360 All Nations Church in Springfield, MO. Bill holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Bible from Central Bible College, a Master of Science in Communication from Eastern Washington University, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Bakke Graduate University.

Eran Holt, B.A.
Eran has served as adjunct faculty at University of Valley Forge for several years. Eran and his wife Julie, their three children, Caleb, Emma, and Ellie served as the Student Ministries Pastor at GT Church, Reading, PA for over 15 years. Eran’s passionate, creative and relevant preaching has distinguished him as a leader and communicator.  He speaks at various churches, retreats, conventions and conferences.  Eran’s passion is to inspire both students and parents in their faith.  In 2016 Eran & Julie founded Lead the Generation, a non-profit ministry focusing on providing both practical training and inspirational teaching to youth pastors, volunteer youth leaders and student leaders.  Eran also coaches and consults with youth pastors and churches on a variety of topics. 

Suzanne Hurst, Ph.D.

Suzanne serves as the director of Africa Oasis, the continental compassion ministry initiative for the Assemblies of God World Missions in Africa. In this role, Suzanne works with missionary teams and African Assemblies of God churches on addressing the tangible needs of communities as a way of bringing about community transformation and demonstrating the love of Christ. Suzanne has a Master’s degree in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University and a Doctoral degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Kristen Kansiewicz, Ph.D., LPC

Kristen is an assistant professor of counseling at Evangel University and the Program Director for the graduate counseling program. She has worked in the mental health field since 2001 and has been a licensed counselor since 2008. Known by her students as "Dr. K," she enjoys teaching Integration of Christianity and the Counseling Profession, Evidence-Based Treatments, and Research Methods. Most of her clinical work has focused on integrating professional mental health counseling services into church settings. She established the Church Therapy model and conducted a mixed methods research study on its effectiveness. She continues researching mental health in the church and clergy well-being. She is married to her childhood sweetheart, Joshua, and they live in Springfield, Missouri with their two children and too many pets!

Joshua Kansiewicz, M.A.

Joshua  spent two decades as an Associate Pastor in urban churches, dedicated to bringing the hope of Jesus Christ to those grappling with life’s toughest challenges, including addiction and chronic poverty. With a heart for personal discipleship, he created programs tailored to the unique needs of the inner city, while also managing the day-to-day operations of the church—from volunteer and staff development to crafting policies and procedures that supported the church’s mission.

Today, Joshua serves as the Head Coach at AssociateLeadership.com, where he leverages his extensive experience to empower leaders who serve in second-chair roles. Having navigated the unique joys and tensions of this position for years, he is passionate about helping others thrive in similar roles, guiding them to unlock their full potential and lead with confidence.

Doug Lowenberg, Ph.D.
Doug and his wife, Corrine, have served as missionaries in Africa with the Assemblies of God for over 25 years primarily in Bible school training. Currently, they are based in Nairobi, Kenya. Doug holds a Ph.D. in Theology from Regent University and DMin from Bethel Theological Seminary. Doug’s passion is doing missional hermeneutics in the African context. The Lowenbergs have two adult daughters, Julia and Ruthie, who serve as career missionaries in Africa. 

Mark MacLean, D.Min.
Mark has been active in pastoral ministry over 25 years, and served as a professor at the University of Valley Forge for 15 years. He presently serves as the discipleship pastor at New Life Church in Leominster, Massachusetts. He earned his Doctoral Degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Master of Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary and an additional Master's Degree from St. John's College, the "School of the Great Books.” Mark also proudly served in the U.S. Army as an Infantry soldier. 

Mark McDonald, M.A.

Mark is the Southwest Missouri Representative with the MCB (Missouri Credentialing Board) where he serves on the Ethics Committee and as Vice President of the Board. Working as an approved trainer for the LPC/LCSW/LMFT/LADC board in Oklahoma, a trainer of trainers for ATTC (Addiction Technology Transfer Center) Clinical Supervision Foundations, Recovery Supports Technology, and Technology and Clinical Supervision, he provides training for several Recovery Supports organizations and other clinicians in Missouri. He works closely with other programs to provide clinical supervision and direction/consultation for long term recovery. Mark also serves as a Counselor with Ozark Center in Neosho as well works with the McDonald and Newton County Treatment Courts. He has been involved in program development, professional development and readiness, supervision, clinical team building, training staff, and service delivery. 

Todd Marshall, M.A.

Todd served as a worship arts pastor for 30 years in MN, WI, and NY before becoming founder, speaker, and author for Worship is Life Ministries. His mission and vision is to strengthen the Church for growing God’s kingdom by emphasizing God’s relational pattern of revelation and response. Todd holds a degree in sacred music from North Central University in Minneapolis, MN and a master’s degree in worship studies from the Institute for Worship Studies in Jacksonville, FL. Todd is also currently serving as the MN Assemblies of God Worship Arts Director. Todd and Brenda currently reside in Woodbury, MN and have a married daughter (Kelsie and Ben) and one son (Taylor).

Tracy Paino, D.Min.

After serving for 10 years as a youth pastor and 5 years as a church planter, Tracy served North Central University for 20 years in various roles including Co-Founder of The Center for Youth & Leadership, Chair of the Department of Student Ministries, Professor of Church Ministries, and Dean of the College of Ministry. His passion is to prepare, serve, and connect emerging and existing leaders to make a difference in people’s lives across the globe.

Steve Pennington, Ph.D.
Steve & Trina Pennington served in Kenya and Ethiopia in both the Addis Ababa Bible College and East Africa School of Theology beginning in 1992 in various roles including professor, Dean of Students, Academic Dean, Principal, and Moderator. Steve helped develop Live Dead East Africa, served as Team Leader Overseer, and served as National Church Liaison between the Assemblies of God World Missions and Kenya Assemblies of God. On January 1, 2014, he became Area Director for East Africa & the Indian Ocean Basin, leading more than 100 missionaries in 17 countries, serving churches in 11 nations. Their vision is for every person in East Africa & the Indian Ocean Basin to hear the gospel at least one time in their life in a language they understand. They dream of vibrant churches among every people group in their area. Steve received his MA in Biblical Literature and Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies from the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary.

Jacob Presson, M.A.

Jacob has been serving as an associate pastor in Mountain Home, Idaho since 2020. He has a teaching and youth ministry portfolio and has also served in several other ministry capacities. Prior to this, he was the executive director of student ministries at Evangel University and has over ten years of experience in children's ministries. His passion is to help people develop their personal gifts to their fullest potential. Jacob holds a Master of Arts in Theological Studies from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and a Bachelor's Degree in Biblical Studies from Evangel University.

René Rochester, Ed.D.

René is the first African American to earn a Doctor of Education degree with a concentration in Health Education from the University of Texas. An accomplished teacher, speaker, coach, and author, she now uses the power of the web to empower even more students by offering life-changing online courses. She lives in Franklin, Tennessee, and is the CEO of PhatStar Learning (Preventive Holistic Adolescent Training: Serving Teens at Risk), a program that helps communities address the needs of at-risk teens by providing intervention strategies and resources.

She currently serves as Dean of Student Academic Support at Brentwood Academy - one of Nashville's top private college preparatory schools and is an adjunct professor at Fuller Seminary along with other colleges and universities. Rochester has also written several books and is the founder of the Kaleo program at KAA (Kids Across America).

David Scolforo, D.Min.

David served as a senior pastor for 19 years and was also a mental health therapist with Emerge Ministries before transitioning into teaching at the University of Valley Forge. At UVF, he was a professor of pastoral counseling and the Behavioral Sciences Department Chair where he supervised the ongoing development and growth of the Behavioral Sciences Department. With a D.Min. in Religious Studies, Dr. Scolforo also served as an adjunct professor for the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary. He is married and has two adult children.