Client Testimonials
“GraceWorks is one of the best investments, if not the best investment, we have made in the last 10 years in personnel and program.”
Testimonials for Our Enrollment Marketing Coaching
GraceWorks Ministries helped equip us with the tools we needed to strengthen the systems within our Academy. Our consultant, Dan Krause, helped us organize and understand the key metrics that help schools thrive both with short-term and long-term goals.
Because of the guidance and advice provided by GraceWorks, we have increased our revenue and polished our financial aid program. GraceWorks also provided us with the tools we needed to successfully manage the influx of leads that occurred due to the pandemic. Our school has grown so much over the last two years that we are now working on adding on an expansion! We are thankful for GraceWorks Ministries and are confident the investment we made by using their services will bear fruit for years to come.
Jamie Taylor, Office Manager
Pine Harbor Christian Academy, Hastings, MN
I am not able to adequately thank you for all you have done for us. The weekend was so full. My mind was spinning. I am so very impressed with your wealth of knowledge, experience and wisdom. Your memory of names and experiences is of so much value to your program and is incredibly impressive. …I trust God will richly bless you for your extraordinary efforts to assist us.
Christina Hutchings, Head of School
Ambassador Christian Academy, Toms River, NJ
The Lord has blessed Guelph Community Christian School in Guelph, Ontario, with almost 70% growth in 4 years: from a shrinking school of 143 mainly Dutch students and 15 staff in 2008 to a thriving school of 240 students and 25 staff representing over 20 denominations in June 2012! Our deficit budget has changed to a balanced budget. This September, we will move into a new-to-us revitalized campus over twice the size. Our extended community has blessed us generously via a wildly successful capital campaign of $ 3.2 million in under one year. So how was all this possible?
…We hired a new principal with terrific leadership, visioning and people skills and using GraceWorks’ Marketing Christian Schools: The Definitive Guide Essentials, Volume I as a workbook, we developed a plan for recruitment and for retention and implemented many of GraceWorks’ ideas over a few years.
When other schools ask us what we have been doing right, the first recommendation we give is to check out the GraceWorks website. GraceWorks spells out very well what needs to be done in their valuable book, Marketing Christian Schools: The Definitive Guide Essentials, Volume I.
With prayer, discernment, hard work, dedicated volunteers, great leadership and very little money, turning a shrinking school into a thriving school is possible.
Lisa Burke, Chair
Recruitment and Retention Committee
Guelph Community Christian School
Guelph, Ontario
Addressing this situation/challenge and wanting a fresh perspective, we contracted with Dan Krause at GraceWorks (www.GWMin.com) for eighteen months from February 2010 through August 2011. The cost was less than $20,000 and included on-site training plus weekly one-hour calls where we dictated the agenda and could put anyone – and any number – in the room. In addition, the surveys, interpretation, and evaluation of current materials, including our website was done. Tremendous investment. Fees were paid over the course of the eighteen months so it was affordable. Our enrollment increased from 592 in 2010-11 to 647 in 2011-12. We are planning on a modest gain again in 2012-13. We are so thankful and blessed. I encourage you to contact Dan . . . and tell him I sent you :-). By the way, if you are looking for someone to simply tell you what a great job you are doing, go to someone else. Dan is knowledgeable and direct.
GraceWorks is one of the best investments, if not the best investment, we have made in the last 10 years in personnel and program. (I have been here 37 years, last 25 as superintendent.)
Bruce Johnson, Superintendent
Redwood Christian Schools
ACSI Executive Board
Dear Dan,
On August 9th, we had a board meeting and I gave the update on enrollment – 140 on that date. It was not gloom and doom, but the question was asked about what we would do if we did not meet our projected numbers. My answer was —–pray……a lot. It did not look real good at the time. We still had inquiries, we still gave tours, I still had consultations but it seemed like we were not going to reach the 165 we projected. Well, as of today (Sept 10) we have 177 and still have a few still in the works. We ended last year at 161. God has blessed in such a miraculous way that Linda (secretary) said to stop praying for a while until we catch up. Our preschool numbers are about double last year’s and we have 17 new students in middle school and high school. I do want to thank you for all your support and advice this year. It has been invaluable. Pray for us as we continue to seek the will of God for our school and work towards making His plans a reality.
Allan Edgar, Administrator
Emmanuel Christian School
At Town & Country School we felt cared for and ministered to by Daniel Krause. He has a servant’s heart, seeking to provide the very best consultation for our situation. The survey provides unbiased information which gives an honest appraisal of strengths and weaknesses. Dan’s experience enables him to make instant assessments; his careful listening and quick perception enables accurate recommendations.
David Kretzmann, Executive Director
Town & Country Lutheran School
Sacremento, CA
On behalf of the board at Covenant Christian School, thank you for doing a terrific job. Your information and ideas will be of great benefit to our school. What struck me most is that we should be partnering with parents so their child may be like Daniel, Moses or Esther. What a great responsibility! Thank you again. May God Bless your ministry greatly.
In Him,
Chuck Lynn, Board President
Covenant Christian School
The most helpful part was learning how to think about finances and marketing in a different, new, and refreshing way. There wasn’t one thing that was not helpful to me. I believe that all Lutheran Schools who have not had the opportunity to hear about these programs should! The way Dan presents the material makes sense!
Janna Kietzman
Can’t thank you enough for the lift that GraceWorks has given us, and I don’t think we are finished yet. So far our registration for next year is well ahead of where it was at this time last year. We are raising tuition modestly and have budgeted financial aid to help those who need it. We’re doing it in a phased approach, and so far it has been well received. God bless you.
Morry Kemple, Administrator
First Coast Christian School
Jacksonville, FL
Testimonials for Our Visioning & Strategic Planning
We have been blessed with Ray Webb’s exceptional service to our school. He has wisely led and assisted us with plans to develop a Vision and Prioritization Plan for the school’s future 20 plus years ahead. His biblical guidance, leadership, professionalism and ability to work effectively with a wide range of people is noteworthy. He gets results quickly, that are able to be put into action by others, in an effective and efficient manner. We have been grateful for his service and would gladly welcome the opportunity to work with him again.
Patty Roeder, Principal
Joe Chine, Director of Growth & Development
Riverside Christian School, East Grand Forks, MN
I have admired Ray Webb and the concepts of Vision Planning since the first day we met and strongly recommend that members of your ministry staff meet with them. Cross the nation if necessary… but meet with Vision Planning as soon as you can.
Dr. John N. Vaughan,
Church Growth Today, Megachurch Research Center, Center for the Study of Growing Churches
Vision Planning offers the missing link between ministry visioning and architecture. This process will save you time and money, while building much greater unity of vision among your people.
Paul Sorensen, President
Joy Leadership Center
I want to express my deepest gratitude for the “life-giving” experience during our Vision Planning sessions. The fellowship and prayers were enriching and your knowledge and direction was indeed most helpful. It has been a refreshing new start for me.
Jim Mertz, Senior Pastor
Harvest Church, Colorado Springs, CO
Vision Planning’s ability to maximize your church’s ministry potential and their commitment to excellence are vital keys that will raise the level of your ministry’s effectiveness and success.
Gary Arneson, Executive Director
World Prayer Center/World Prayer Team
Vision Planning was invaluable in helping us. We thought we had a big vision, but our eyes were opened as we were challenged and motivated to rethink what God might have for us in our community.
Brian Murphy, Administrative Pastor
Riverlakes Comm. Church
We used Vision Planning at a time when we needed clarity and answers to specific questions. We prayed and felt God telling us there is safety in counsel. So, we went into our Visioneering Retreat expecting to receive the clarity and answers we needed. We received both! Our retreat with Vision Planning greatly helped us at a time when we needed wisdom and direction. We recommend Vision Planning highly and without reservation.
Pastors Joe and Deborah Oakley
Grace Fellowship Church, Grand Prairie, TX
Vision Planning has thoroughly re-energized our zeal and passion for ministry. Using a systematic Biblically-based process, Vision Planning helped us discern God’s will for our future. The time we shared was utterly transforming. Vision Planning’s unique ability to craft a narrative story of our vision to share with our congregation and school has helped us believe that we can achieve God’s vision over the next 20 years. I am still astounded at how God used Vision Planning to serve us. I only wish I had done this 15 years ago. I unhesitatingly and wholeheartedly encourage others to experience a Visioneering Retreat. BUT be prepared to return home – changed!
Dr. David-Paul Zimmerman, Pastor
Amazing Grace Lutheran Church and School, Seattle, WA
Vision Planning has been the single best decision of my ministry. I can honestly say that I have never felt more motivated. Vision Sunday was awesome! We have begun to “run” with the vision! Our people are living it, and it has become much more than a motto. Our church is growing like never before.
Pastor Kevin Kleinhenz
Living Hope Church (COG), Baytown, TX
The Visioneering Retreat in Colorado Springs was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Vision Planning has a heart for the church and a passion to help them go to the next level.
Pastor Rob Turner
Bridgeport Bible Fellowship Church (EFCA), Bridgeport, CT
The results of our visioneering sessions were priceless.
Pastor William Lott
Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, IL
Visioneering was the best investment I’ve made in my 18 years as a Senior Pastor. We’ve been sharing the vision with different groups of different sizes and then meeting with the people individually! This has proved to be invaluable. It’s taken more out of us and, at the same time, done more in us than we ever dreamed.God is working in ways never imagined and in people we never expected. Since being with Vision Planning 16 months ago God has enlarged me. For that I cannot thank you enough.
Pastor Frankie Powell
World Outreach Center, Oneonta, AL
My Visioneering in Colorado has inspired me to become wild…man is it a gas to be on a great adventure with God!
Pastor George Stathos Calvary Chapel of Amador, Pine Grove, CA
Vision Planning is just what we needed during our transition into our new building. It has lifted a huge weight off of me. Now we can move forward strategically towards God’s plan for us.
Pastor Wilbur Outten
Freeport Bible Church, Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas
Our visioneering sessions were a high water mark in the history of our church. The quality and the style of writing in our vision narrative was excellent—reminiscent of Frank Peretti or Jerry Jenkins. The flow is fantastic and the story clearly conveys God’s heart for our future.
Pastor John Jerry Smith
Centro Cristiano de Guayaquil (AOG), Ecuador
I want to thank you for a great time together! I am so excited that I don’t think that I can wait until we have a leadership retreat to share this document. I was blessed from spending this time with you.
Pastor Samuel Holland ACCESS Community Church, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
The guys at Vision Planning locked me into a room for two days and the result shave been amazing. Our people are engaged like never before!
Pastor Malcolm MacPhail
New Hope Community Church (AOG), Gilroy, CA
When I shared the vision narrative from the pulpit, my congregation gave me a standing ovation.
Pastor Darrell MacLearn
Rio Vista Church (COTN), Albuquerque, NM
Testimonials for Our Parent Satisfaction & Referral Surveys
WOW! What a report. I spent a couple of hours last night going through it. I am amazed at how such a simple-questioned survey can give such valuable insight to the school. I will obviously be spending more time with the report. I love the various angles in which you can view the data. This can really help us determine not only what the issues are but also who they affect.
Anthony Knight, Principal
Covenant Christian School, Loganville, GA
The Parent Satisfaction and Referral Survey was extremely helpful to Lincoln Christian School, both to our board and administration. The survey was easy to use online. Lincoln Christian parents found it convenient and responded in great numbers. The information we gleaned from the survey has been at the center of our planning and decision-making since it was made available to us in an easy-to-understand, comprehensive format. Dan Krause added his expertise in interpreting the results and has been available for follow-up services that we feel will continue to help us be responsive to our constituents. We are very pleased with the benefits our school received from GraceWorks and specifically the PSRS instrument.
Mark Wilson, Superintendent
Lincoln Christian School, Lincoln, NE
We are still going thru the PSRS report. We are excited about the results. It is nice to get a pat on the back and yes, we appreciate hearing about the concerns that are correctable. We will plan on doing this survey again in the future to be sure that we keep a finger on any concerns that our parents/community may have (and praises).
Betty Theiman, Principal
Agape Christian Fellowship, Twin Falls, ID