A new school year brings new opportunities, new relationships, and some wonderful new additions to the Emmanuel Christian Academy family.
As we begin the 2026-2027 school year, we are delighted to welcome Christopher James, our new Executive Director/Head of School, along with three new members of our teaching faculty: Denise Evans, Rob King, and Christi Jent.
Each comes to Emmanuel with a unique story, a heart for students, and a desire to serve within a Christ-centered school community. Some are already familiar faces around campus, while others are beginning a brand-new chapter with us. Together, they bring years of experience, varied gifts, and a shared commitment to helping our students grow academically, personally, and spiritually.
We invite you to get to know each of them a little better and join us in giving them a warm ECA welcome!
Select a name to read more about them!
MR. CHRISTOPHER JAMES
Executive Director/Head of School
Please join us in welcoming Chris James as the new Executive Director / Head of School of Emmanuel Christian Academy! Chris officially began serving at ECA on July 1st, and we are excited for our Emmanuel family and community to get to know him a little better!
A little about Chris and his family:
He and his wife, Adrienne, have been married for 31 years. High school sweethearts originally from Columbus, they moved to Clark County 19 years ago and now live in South Vienna. Together they raised six children — Chandler (30), Paris (28), Darienne (27), Cameron (23), Jaidan (21), and Luke (18) — and are now enjoying this new season of life as their family has grown and spread out across several states.
What hobbies or other interests does he enjoy?
Chris loves spending as much time as possible with family, traveling for new adventures, and enjoying all things sports, especially cheering on the Buckeyes and Volunteers! He also enjoys golf, tennis, basketball, home projects, reading, movies at home, and even truly loves mowing the grass!
What is a favorite family tradition:
For nearly 20 years, Sundays have always been family days beginning with church, then traveling to the grandparents' homes with pizzas for the kids to spend time with them, as well as with their uncle, aunt, and cousins.
Something you might be surprised to learn about Chris:
He met his wife when she was in 6th grade!
A passage of Scripture Chris turns to for encouragement:
Chris shared that when he beats himself up for falling short as a Christian man, he is encouraged by Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
We are grateful the Lord has led Chris to Emmanuel, and we look forward to the leadership, care, and Christ-centered vision he will bring to our school community.
Welcome to the Emmanuel Family, Chris!
MRS. DENISE EVANS
4th grade science & math teacher
We’re excited to introduce another wonderful addition to our ECA family! Denise Evans will be teaching 4th Grade Math & Science this year.
Mrs. Evans may be new to the ECA faculty, but she’s already a familiar face around Emmanuel. After spending a semester substitute teaching here, she knew this was a community she wanted to be part of full time.
“I met so many amazing teachers, students, and families that I knew I wanted to be a part of the community full time!”
Denise and her husband, Andrew, are a military family. Andrew is active duty Air Force and currently stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. They have two children who will also be at ECA this year, Preston in 2nd grade and Caroline in kindergarten.
Outside the classroom, you’ll find Denise cheering on her children at sporting events, running, swimming, or doing a little thrift shopping.
Her advice to students? Get involved and try new things! Whether it’s sports, music, clubs, or another activity, she encourages students to explore their interests and discover what they love. Although, as a runner herself, she admits she’d especially love to see a few more students try cross country and track!
One of Denise’s favorite verses is 1 Timothy 4:12:
“Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
And a favorite quote from runner Steve Prefontaine captures another philosophy she brings with her: “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”
We’re so glad Mrs. Evans has chosen to make Emmanuel her home and can’t wait for our families to get to know her. Be sure to say hello and welcome Mrs. Evans!
MRS. christi jent
2nd grade teacher
We have another familiar face officially joining the ECA faculty this year! Please help us welcome Christi Jent, who will be one of our 2nd Grade teachers at Emmanuel Christian Academy.
Mrs. Jent spent last year serving as a substitute teacher at ECA, giving her an opportunity to experience our school community firsthand.
“I have heard great things about this school and am looking forward to being a part of this program.”
Christi and her husband, Darryl, recently celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary. They attend Forest Valley Freewill Baptist Church, where Christi teaches Sunday School and Children’s Church and Darryl serves as part of the tech crew for services.
And Christi already has a very special ECA connection. Her daughter, RaeAnn, is a 5th grade teacher at Emmanuel! Their son, DJ, and his wife, Emma, live in Michigan, where both teach college mathematics. It seems teaching definitely runs in the family!
As she begins this new school year, Christi’s heart for her students is beautifully simple:
“My prayer is for a safe and happy school year. We can learn and grow together with God’s love and encouragement.”
Her life verse is Isaiah 40:31:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
We’re delighted that Mrs. Jent’s time as a substitute has led to a permanent place in the Emmanuel family, and we’re excited for our 2nd graders to learn and grow with her this year.
Be sure to stop by, introduce yourself, and give Mrs. Jent a warm ECA welcome!
MR. rob king
7th - 12th grade math teacher
Please help us welcome Rob King, who will be teaching 7th-12th Grade Math at ECA! Rob brings many years of teaching experience, a love of learning, and a heart for helping students discover how God may use their gifts.
Rob and his wife, Donna, recently celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. They met in college when Rob was a student athletic trainer and Donna was a volleyball player who sprained her ankle. The rest, as they say, is history!
Together they have 8 children, including one who is with Jesus, and 7 grandchildren they adore. Their daughter Anna is also an ECA freshman this year.
Rob began teaching math in 1986 and has taught everything from 7th grade basic math through AP Calculus. He also trained to teach aeronautics through Embry-Riddle’s Gaetz Aerospace Institute. Over the years, he has served in many roles, including pastor, financial coach, college instructor, real estate agent, and home remodeler, but one thing has remained constant:
“God has created me as a teacher no matter what job I am in.”
After retiring from public education this spring, Rob is excited for his next chapter at Emmanuel. For nearly six years, he and Dan Moore had talked about the possibility of Rob joining ECA. This year, the timing finally felt right.
“I want to be able to more freely and outwardly integrate my Christian faith into my teaching.”
Outside the classroom, Rob enjoys bass fishing, camping, sports, and a good card or board game. His favorite passage is Romans 5, particularly verses 6-12.
His advice to students is to think of education as filling a toolbox. Some skills will be used every day, while others may only be needed occasionally, but every tool helps prepare them for wherever God may call them.
“You have no idea where God is going to call you. Be as well equipped as you can to be able to say yes and then go when He calls.”
We are grateful God’s timing has brought Mr. King to Emmanuel! ECA families, be sure to welcome Mr. King!
