A Kingdom School

Chaplain Team

The Parent School Association (PSA) hosted its first-ever coffee with the Chaplain Team. The meeting brought ICSB parents together with our four chaplains, Mr. Dan Culbertson, Mr. Paul Reed, Ms. Évi Dobner, and Mr. Josh Payne, for a time to ask questions and enjoy meaningful conversation over muffins and coffee. 

The Role of a Chaplain

The Chaplains began by introducing themselves and sharing how much they value being part of the ICSB community. Mr. Culbertson explained that the role of the Chaplain was not clearly defined when he arrived; he and his growing team have been developing and articulating their goals. 

He explained how, in addition to the more obvious answer of planning and leading Chapels,  much of their ministry happens in organic moments—informal conversations with students, being present and attentive, and helping shape the spiritual atmosphere of campus, though they emphasized that teachers, coaches, and staff all contribute to the spiritual environment of the school.

 

 

Many of them also help lead Bible studies, teach Christian Studies classes, and much more. They explained how Chapel differs from Christian Studies classes. While Bible classes function more like traditional academic courses, Chapel provides a space for students to gather in community, worship, and encounter Christ together.

Last year, the chapel team introduced a holistic spiritual framework they titled Head, Heart, and Hands. While Bible classes often emphasize "Head" or engaging our minds with Biblical truths, Chapels also seek to be intentional about engaging students’ "Hearts" and "Hands," encouraging a deeper response that affects our everyday lives in a practical sense as well. 

 

 

Chapels

In terms of Chapels, they discussed how they teach the same topics across the entire school to emphasize a sense of unity and "being on a journey together" across age groups, while adapting their methods and activities to be age-appropriate for each age group.

The Chaplain Team is a unique role we have at the school. It was good to hear their approach to Chapel and Spiritual Impact Week, and how they try to connect the same Chapel themes and Bible verses from Early Grades students all the way through Upper School students. 

PSA Coordinator Ms. Kim Rickard

 

They shared how they are currently in a series on Lent, titled "On the Road with Jesus," which will conclude with Spiritual Impact Week, held in the days leading up to Easter, during which they will reflect on Jesus’ decision in the Garden of Gethsemane.

They discussed the pros and cons of guest speakers and emphasized involving students and giving them space to hear testimonies from their peers. Mr. Reed summarized this approach to Chapel by explaining,

It’s their Chapel, it’s not just our chapel that we’re doing to them. We want students to take ownership of their spiritual walk—when they do, everything changes.

ICSB Chaplain, Mr. Paul Reed

 

The Chaplains also noted that one prayer on their hearts as they navigate the variety of spiritual and cultural backgrounds of the students they serve is...

...Wisdom in knowing how to speak to everyone. How to not dilute a message or confuse people with what language we use. Not to exclude, but also make it clear what it means to be a follower of Jesus. 

ICSB Chaplain, Ms. Évi Dobner

She also reflected on the balance between discipling students who are growing in their faith and creating space for those who may still be exploring. “We want to disciple those kids who are further along or might have different kinds of questions. And we also don’t want to alienate the kids who are in a season of not wanting to engage in chapel..." or do not identify as Christian. "God, would there be one way you break through that?” she expressed their prayer. 

Parents shared encouraging feedback during the conversation. Several described meaningful discussions with their children at home, sparked by Chapel messages. Overall, the conversation offered parents a meaningful glimpse into the Chaplain Team's vision, challenges, hopes, and heart, and into their intentional effort to walk alongside students at many different stages of their spiritual journey.

 

 

Lower School Principal

The Lower School coffee offered parents a meaningful opportunity to hear from both current Lower School Principal Mr. David Kelley and incoming Principal Ms. Cristiane Santos as the school prepares for next year’s leadership transitions. Ms. Santos shared a bit about her background and journey to ICSB. She has spent her entire career serving in Christian schools and has lived in her home country of Brazil, the United States, and, most recently, Hungary. She holds a master’s degree from Brazil as well as a master’s and specialist degree from Bob Jones University in the United States. She is also trained to work with students with special needs and currently serves on the ACSI Board in Brazil. Ms. Santos expressed her appreciation for the care and intentionality that have shaped ICSB’s policies, culture, and community.

 

 

When Ms. Santos initially joined ICSB as a 4th-grade teacher, some friends and family back home did not understand why she agreed to return to the classroom after working 16 years in school leadership. Now looking back, as she prepares to transition into a leadership role once again, she reflected on the value of having that year back in the classroom, allowing her to build relationships with the other Lower School teachers, "Though I could be their mom" she added with a smile, "I have a better understanding on how to help the teachers navigate..." the classroom. Starting her ICSB journey in the classroom also allowed her to get to know families and gain a deeper understanding of the school's culture and community from the classroom. 

Another thing she highlighted that will smooth this transition is a strong partnership she anticipates with Assistant Principal, Ms. Heather Endicott, whose familiarity with families and experience across grade levels brings valuable continuity to the Lower School team. 

The partnership [...] is going to be successful. She’s very good at a lot of things, that’s why we’re very excited; it makes it even smoother...It makes me relaxed.

Ms. Cristiane Santos

 

Ms. Santos closed by sharing her belief in the idea of a “Kingdom school,” a concept widely used within ACSI. She described Christian schools as one of the most powerful ways to impact the world for God’s Kingdom, where students, teachers, parents, and leaders grow and are transformed together through Christ-centered education. A parent commented that they feel that they are being transformed as well, from being a part of the ICSB community, though they did not expect it. Ms. Santos responded, 

It’s because it’s not us, it’s the Holy Spirit dwelling in us.

 

Upper School Principal

Finally, the last coffee meeting of the spring was with Upper School principal, Mr. Michael Southwell. It was a great turnout. Mr. Southwell opened by sharing a few words about himself. He shared that he has been at ICSB since 2018, became principal after 1 year, and has been in that role for 7 years. Before coming to Hungary, he was a public school teacher in Michigan, teaching Math and Science. As a student, he switched from a public high school to a Christian school for his senior year, which helped him understand the uniqueness of a Christian School. He shared his love for working at ICSB, and how, as principal, he seeks to meet everyone's needs, students, parents, and staff.

 

 

He also gave a preview of the busy spring season ahead. Highlights include the International Honors Music Festival, Spiritual Impact Week, the Spring Formal, NHS Service Days, the Academic Field Trip, AP exam proctoring, Family Field Day, and the Upper School musical.He told parents how musical casting can be difficult for those who do not get the role they had hoped for, but by the time you see the performance you can see how much fun everyone is having and how the cast has drawn closer. 

It is one of the greatest community builders.

Mr. Michael Southwell

 

He also shared the variety of ways parents can be involved, from coaching, substitute teaching, and helping with welcome and goodbye duty to supporting student clubs or assisting with AP exam proctoring. The school was also looking for a Class of 2030 parent sponsor, and Ms. Angela Doerksen joyfully and immediately volunteered, much to everyone's delight. He thanked her and took a moment to recognize the current sponsors—Ms. Kelly (2029), Ms. Rachel (2028), and Heni (2027)—for their support of Upper School families.

 

 

The final moments of the meeting spoke to the care that defines this community, not just students and staff, but in terms of parents, too. The final questions were not logistical, but parents asking Mr. Southwell how they can pray for Upper School, and how they can pray for him. He shared about some of the transitions happening in Upper School next year, how difficult it is to see beloved staff leave, difficult for both parties, yet even with that, how encouraging it is to see the Lord provide for those staffing needs.

 

 

Thank you to PSA Coordinator, Ms. Kim Rickard, and her PSA team for organizing these coffee meetings!

From hearing our growing Chaplain Team and current and incoming principal's heart for the Lord, and for the ICSB community, and listening to their testimonies of the Lord at work in our school, to parents asking how they can pray, Ms. Cristiane's words became increasingly evident 

 Everyone who comes here, teachers too, is transformed. We are here for the kingdom, and we are training...