Christian Teacher of the Year: Blaine Spencer blends faith, rhetoric in classroom to equip next generation

Blaine Spencer likes to take his students to court – and each time, he’s hoping for a conviction.

Students in his rhetoric class at Second Baptist School University-Model in Katy, Texas, are required to give speeches titled “If you were taken to court, is there enough evidence to convict you as a Christian?”

“The students were asked to explore whether their daily actions, relationships and decisions provided enough evidence to convict them of being Christians, had their faith become a criminal offense,” says Spencer, who serves as a teacher, coach and academic coordinator at the Houston-area hybrid classical school.

“They were required to incorporate rhetorical strategies – ethos, pathos and logos – into their speeches to effectively argue their case, showing both their personal understanding of Christianity and their ability to communicate that understanding.”

The exercise “not only engaged students in critical thinking and public speaking, but also fostered a deeper connection between their academic learning and personal faith. By reflecting on specific behaviors, values and attitudes, students developed a more holistic view of how rhetoric can shape moral and ethical choices, bringing theory into real-world application.”

It’s thinking like this that makes Spencer one of 12 teachers nationwide to be named 2025 Christian Teacher of the Year by the Herzog Foundation, publisher of The Lion. 

The Oklahoma Wesleyan University graduate, who holds a master’s degree in educational leadership, said he knows God is the source of goodness, both in academics and in life.

“If education is not stemming from Him, then where are we leading students?” he told The Lion when asked about the value of Christian education. “Where are we leading our faculty and our parents, and where are we leading the next generation of leaders?

“In Christian education, if it’s not rooted in God’s word, if it’s not founded in God’s word, then ultimately, we are already drastically missing the mark.”

Spencer maintains this unique characteristic of Christian education can help restore America.

“Being found in God’s word and incorporating that into all subject areas and all grade levels is really the distinction that can ultimately bring our nation back to the Lord, as we have drifted away over the past few years.”

The Bible and history teacher said he believes the nation was founded on biblical principles, citing that “Harvard University was actually founded as primarily a school for pastors back in the 1600s, so if you compare where they started to where they’re at now, you can see that they have shifted drastically from the vision and mission of its founders.”

The cultural drift is nationwide, but “there’s still hope,” he said.

“There’s always hope in the Lord, but it must be intentional. Every parent, every teacher, every administrator, every pastor, every community leader has to be intentional about the steps that they have to take so that we are creating a generation that is dependent on God and not dependent on our own selfish desires.”

David Culpepper, campus dean for Second Baptist, said Spencer practices what he preaches, “demonstrating an unwavering commitment to academic rigor and spiritual formation,” he wrote in a letter of recommendation. “His passion for integrating faith and learning ensures that scholarship and discipleship go hand in hand.”

Additionally, Spencer works “tirelessly to cultivate a Christ-centered school culture” where students follow the school’s motto to “think critically, live biblically and lead courageously.

“Blaine is highly respected by students, parents and colleagues. Parents admire his ability to inspire excellence while modeling Christ-like humility. Colleagues recognize him as a leader in Christian education, always willing to collaborate and strengthen the school’s mission.”

Mark Poe, Spencer’s pastor at Second Baptist Church, called him “a passionate educator and a deeply personal individual whose dedication and integrity have left a lasting impression.”

He’s also a devoted family man, Poe said, caring for his wife and their four young children while being active in church life, particularly in a Bible study class.

Spencer says parents should consider how they want their children to be when they graduate from high school – no matter how young they are now.

“What characteristics, what values, what distinction do you want them to have?” he said. “I don’t remember my GPA from high school, but I remember the values that were instilled in me.

“Children are in the care of the parent – and the church and the school are there to partner with them – and so you have to find a church and a school that are going to instill the values and the fear of the Lord that you ultimately want for them. You have to be forward-thinking, which is hard as a young parent.

“You need to also find a school that has longevity,” possibly asking an older parent how it benefited their child.

As for other Christian educators, Spencer says they should “find that community that will ultimately lift you up, whether it’s mentors, church staff, a pastor, friends, family, maybe it’s some parents that you taught their child a couple years ago.

“Find a community that will pour into you and help keep you in alignment with the Lord, because as educators, it’s hard to find that work-life balance. You give and give and give, and sometimes you’re giving out of an empty well. And so, how am I supposed to be pouring into kids spiritually if I have nothing in my well?”

Spencer said he does this in his own life through a community of men who are “walking deeply with the Lord that I want to mimic and want to become more like and envision myself and then my kids, and then my grandkids also (doing the same).

“I would say that’s probably the biggest component that can make or break an educator’s life, because you can always learn how to be a better educator. You can’t learn if you don’t desire to be a better godly leader, if you don’t surround yourself with the right people.”

This alignment makes him excited to go to work every day.

“What gets me really out of bed is seeing how far Christian education has come,” said Spencer, who graduated from a small private Christian school. “Just seeing how much Christian education has grown and how – in the time that we are at now in the world, and the secularization of our nation – we are needing to be extremely purposeful in our desire to point people to God.

“That’s what everything boils down to … and [realizing] how small things can ultimately lead people to Christ as well, not just these larger elements – just seeing that has really helped me get out of bed on those great days. And then on those worst days, is maintaining that idea, maintaining that vision, that there is something greater than I and that I am standing on the shoulders of giants. I want to make sure that I equip the next generation as best as I can.”

Spencer is living out his self-stated calling, which is “devoting my existence to Christ and pouring into the lives of others with the intention of raising up powerful God-fearing leaders for the next generation.”

“I believe it is essential for students to see how my relationship with God shapes my understanding of the world, so I model a life that reflects my beliefs,” he says.

The Christian Teacher of the Year honor is part of the Herzog Foundation’s Excellence in Christian Education award series. Each of the 12 winners will attend a special professional development and recognition event in Washington, D.C.