Education—or a lack thereof—forms the foundation of any culture. Christian education strengthens that foundation with faith and morality. Recognizing the importance of Christian education, Dr. Rick Enders (Elementary Education ’84, Ed.D ’18) inspires his students at Pensacola Christian College to approach the classroom as a ministry.
An Introduction to Christian Education
Growing up in the public school system, Dr. Enders was unhappy with how secular his environment had been. After graduation, he began searching for a Christian college because he wanted a more faith-based approach to his education. Knowing of Dr. Enders’ search, his pastor mentioned a small college in Pensacola, Florida. “He suggested PCC because of their academic reputation,” Dr. Enders shared.
“Understanding educational philosophy is crucial for becoming a teacher in a Christian school.”
Desiring high standards for his college education, he traveled to Pensacola, Florida, and enrolled in elementary education at PCC. As a freshman, Dr. Enders found his Philosophy of Christian Education class eye-opening. “Most freshmen are more interested in classroom observations,” he shared. “However, understanding Christian educational philosophy is crucial for becoming a teacher in a Christian school.”
His appreciation for a Christian educational philosophy grew through observing seasoned teachers at Pensacola Christian Academy (PCA). “Being a product of public education, Christian-traditional education was new to me,” explained Dr. Enders. “Observing PCA teachers’ professional, caring, Bible-based lessons made a lasting impression on me. God made it very plain to me that this was the ministry He was calling me to.”
Expanding the Field
Graduating in 1984, Dr. Rick Enders began his career as an educator at PCA. His heart for education became obvious, and founder Dr. Arlin Horton took notice. “In 1989, Dr. Horton asked me if I would be interested in teaching a special education class at PCA,” Dr. Enders explained. For seven years, he taught the school’s first special education class.
Teaching this class helped Dr. Enders see just how big the need for special education was. “Dr. Horton’s vision for [that special education class] was the foundation for my own vision,” he said. While earning an M.A. in Special Education, Clinical Teaching, and Emotional Handicaps from the University of West Florida, Dr. Enders continued to teach at PCA and began teaching education courses at PCC in 2012. In every education class, he strove to emphasize the importance of Christian-traditional education.
In 2023, Dr. Enders was able to start a special education program at PCA, fulfilling his and Dr. Horton’s vision from three decades ago. The next year, he helped introduce a special education degree to PCC. “Students had expressed that they believed God had called them to this specific field of Christian service,” he explained.
Since this major is still new, Dr. Enders spends much of his time preparing for classes and planning new courses. “I am regularly developing new quizzes and presentation material for [the courses I teach],” he shared. “I am also in the process of developing another new special education class that will be offered in fall 2025 entitled Characteristics of Learning Disabilities.”
“My goal is that my students will embrace those often excluded and point them [to Christ].”
Along with his love and appreciation for Christian education, Dr. Enders hopes to impart the importance of special education to his students. Using the parable found in Luke 14, he reminds his students how important people are to God’s kingdom. “My goal,” Dr. Enders shared, “is that my students will embrace those often excluded and point them [to Christ]. Through this Christian special education program, exceptional learners can be encouraged to serve God in extraordinary ways that others would not be able to accomplish.”
Read more about how God is directing and working through PCC faculty and alumni.