The AZCEC is an Arizona nonprofit corporation founded in 2022. We are a coalition of Arizona private Christian schools and organizations with a mission of preserving the freedom for parents to choose and have access to the type of education which best serves their child. We educate the public, make recommendations to legislative bodies regarding public policy issues related to the education of Arizona’s children, and engage in limited political activity. The AZCEC operates pursuant to section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. All of our board members operate as volunteers.
About AZCEC
Our Team
Dan grew up in Northwest Iowa and attended Christian schools throughout all of his educational year except for graduate school. He received his BS in Biology from Dordt University, and his MA in Educational Leadership from NAU.
He has been married to his wife Kathy for 40+ years. All three of their boys attended Christian schools and now their grandchildren do as well.
Dan worked at Valley Christian Schools for 41 years in the capacity of teacher, coach, vice-principal, principal, and most recently as the Head of School. As a coach, he was twice named the National Coach of the Year in Girls Track and Field.
In addition to his role as the Executive Director of the AZCEC, Dan also serves as the Senior Ambassador for Valley Christian Schools. He has served on several board including Dordt University’s Board and also served as an elder and deacon in his church.
Trusted. Respected. Problem Solver. After 30 years of distinguished state service in the Legislative and Executive branches of government, this is the reputation Kevin Biesty has earned in the government relations and business arenas.
Kevin served with distinction at the executive level in two state agencies, for five agency directors, under five different governors from both political parties. His reputation for developing relationships based on dignity and respect form the foundation of his approach to building consensus, even on the most complex issues.
He has been lobbying for AZCEC since 2022.
Our Board Members
Eric Dowdle
Northwest Christian School
Kyle Maestri
Trinity Christian School
Chris Schoenleb
North Valley Christian Academy
Cathi Herrod
Center for Arizona Policy
Jerry Bowen
Association of Christian Schools International
Jeff Blake
Phoenix Christian Preparatory School
John Tyler
Pusch Ridge Christian Academy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is your statement of faith?
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative, inerrant Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16, 2 Peter 1:21).
- We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three persons-Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Genesis 1:1, Matthew 28:19, John 10:30).
- We believe in the deity of Christ (John 10:33), His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35), His sinless life (Hebrews 4: 15, 7:26), His miracles (John 2:11), His vicarious and atoning death (1 Corinthians 15:3, Ephesians 1:7, Hebrews 2:9), His Resurrection (John 11:25, 1 Corinthians 15:4), His Ascension to the right hand of God (Mark 16:19), His personal return in power and glory (Acts 1:11, Revelation 19:11).
- We believe in the absolute necessity of regeneration by the Holy Spirit for salvation because of the exceeding sinfulness of human nature, and that men are justified on the single ground of faith in the shed blood of Christ, and that only by God’s grace and through faith alone are we saved (John 3:16–19, 5:24; Romans 3:23, 5:8–9; Ephesians 2:8–10; Titus 3:5).
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of condemnation (John 5:28–29).
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 8:9, 1 Corinthians 12:12–13, Galatians 3:26–28).
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (Romans 8:13–14; 1 Corinthians 3:16, 6:1920; Ephesians 4:30, 5:18).
- We believe that the term marriage has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture (Genesis 2:1825). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Corinthians 6:18, 7:2–5; Hebrews 13:4).
- We believe that God’s command is that there be no sexual intimacy outside of or apart from marriage between a man and a woman.
- We believe that God wonderfully foreordained and immutably created each person as either male or female in conformity with their biological sex. These two distinct yet complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Genesis 1:2627).
What are your bylaws?
Our bylaws are laid out in an official document that discusses membership, directors, statement of faith, and more. Read the bylaws of the AZCEC below.
Does AZCEC benefit non-member schools?
Absolutely! We provide all Christian schools a voice in promoting the value of Christian education and parental choice in education. We seek to have EVERY Christian school in Arizona be involved in our efforts! Make sure your voice is heard!
Does AZCEC benefit preschools?
Absolutely! We recently added membership options for Christian preschools and are exploring additional ways to help preschools moving forward.
Support Christian Education
With your support, we can educate voters, promote Christian education, and protect the freedoms of parents to choose the best school for their child.
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