God's Call to One Man to Shape OCS's Future
In January of this year, Chris Bergstresser, a resident of West Bend, heard something from God.
Chris knew then that Ozaukee Christian School was about to lose its founder and Head of School Kris Austin to retirement. Following God’s call, he began to pray that God would use him to help the school.
Chris and his wife Mary have three sons (eighth, sixth and fourth graders) and one daughter (a second grader) at OCS.
Chris said, “When we started sending our kids to OCS, I could see the impact on them immediately.”
Pleased with what OCS was doing in his children’s lives, Chris attended the Lion Chasers Committee last fall to discuss the plans for OCS’s future high school.
“I started praying for more opportunities to get involved,” said Chris.
He soon found his next opportunity as God whispered into his heart this winter. He became burdened to help.
God worked on his heart, putting into focus Chris’s years of experience in positions of leadership, from his time in the Air Force to managing stores and a foundry to now leading the children’s ministry at First Baptist Church of West Bend.
Chris holds degrees in biblical studies and business and expects to add master’s degrees in theology and education administration in the near future.
With God’s voice in his heart, Chris said he could suddenly see how all this time, God had been molding him to be a sufficient leader for OCS.
“I will never claim to be the ultimate authority on anything,” said Chris. “The Lord has given me the opportunity to learn a lot of things over the years.”
Now “Chris with a C” is humbly stepping into Kris’s role as Head of School. He said he does not feel nervous, but rests in the confidence that God will guide him.
“It really is an honor,” said Chris. “And it is not just one person who will fill Kris’s shoes.”
In addition to Chris, OCS is hiring a principal, whose role will focus on the day-to-day operations of the school, while Chris looks at the bigger picture.
Chris said, "As head of school, my specific focus is going to be the strategic planning and vision, partnering with the business manager in oversight of the financial health and business aspects of the school, building relationships with donors, the launch of a high school and preserving the healthy spiritual foundation that has been laid by Kris Austin and those who have spent countless hours pouring into the school before me."
When asked how he plans to integrate his leadership style with OCS’s existing culture, Chris emphasized that he would focus on the heart, just as he does in his own parenting and ministry.
“Math facts are math facts, but how can we integrate Christ?” Chris referenced Proverbs 4:25 and Psalm 119:11, highlighting the importance of teaching children to keep their eyes on Christ in all aspects of life.
Chris’s long term ambitions for the school include the launch of a high school, increased community impact and additional high school prep programs. As always, he seeks God’s guidance and blessing as he works towards these goals.
Chris knew then that Ozaukee Christian School was about to lose its founder and Head of School Kris Austin to retirement. Following God’s call, he began to pray that God would use him to help the school.
Chris and his wife Mary have three sons (eighth, sixth and fourth graders) and one daughter (a second grader) at OCS.
Chris said, “When we started sending our kids to OCS, I could see the impact on them immediately.”
Pleased with what OCS was doing in his children’s lives, Chris attended the Lion Chasers Committee last fall to discuss the plans for OCS’s future high school.
“I started praying for more opportunities to get involved,” said Chris.
He soon found his next opportunity as God whispered into his heart this winter. He became burdened to help.
God worked on his heart, putting into focus Chris’s years of experience in positions of leadership, from his time in the Air Force to managing stores and a foundry to now leading the children’s ministry at First Baptist Church of West Bend.
Chris holds degrees in biblical studies and business and expects to add master’s degrees in theology and education administration in the near future.
With God’s voice in his heart, Chris said he could suddenly see how all this time, God had been molding him to be a sufficient leader for OCS.
“I will never claim to be the ultimate authority on anything,” said Chris. “The Lord has given me the opportunity to learn a lot of things over the years.”
Now “Chris with a C” is humbly stepping into Kris’s role as Head of School. He said he does not feel nervous, but rests in the confidence that God will guide him.
“It really is an honor,” said Chris. “And it is not just one person who will fill Kris’s shoes.”
In addition to Chris, OCS is hiring a principal, whose role will focus on the day-to-day operations of the school, while Chris looks at the bigger picture.
Chris said, "As head of school, my specific focus is going to be the strategic planning and vision, partnering with the business manager in oversight of the financial health and business aspects of the school, building relationships with donors, the launch of a high school and preserving the healthy spiritual foundation that has been laid by Kris Austin and those who have spent countless hours pouring into the school before me."
When asked how he plans to integrate his leadership style with OCS’s existing culture, Chris emphasized that he would focus on the heart, just as he does in his own parenting and ministry.
“Math facts are math facts, but how can we integrate Christ?” Chris referenced Proverbs 4:25 and Psalm 119:11, highlighting the importance of teaching children to keep their eyes on Christ in all aspects of life.
Chris’s long term ambitions for the school include the launch of a high school, increased community impact and additional high school prep programs. As always, he seeks God’s guidance and blessing as he works towards these goals.
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