Jim Leonard
Jim brings 27 years of hands on experience in Christian education. He started in educational ministry to children in 1988. Leaving employment in hospital administration in Morrisville, Vermont, he relocated to Greenville, Ohio, to serve full time in a Christian school. After a few years, he began to pioneer a church work on the other side of the county. At that time the Leonard family began to homeschool. Within a short time Jim and his wife Carol began to chair a local Homeschool support group. Over the years, the Leonards have become well known contacts for homeschoolers throughout their region of Ohio and Indiana. Jim has personally assisted hundreds of students in the transition from other educational environments to homeschooling with BCE’s PACE program.
Over time families requested assistance with their homeschooling. In response to these requests Emmaus Learning Center was established. As ministry of Emmaus New Testament Church, the Learning Center operates three days a week for families using the PACE program. Both Jim & Carol are still active in the learning center guiding the students and other staff in using the PACE program.
Basic Christian Education had been the supplier of curriculum to the Leonard family and Emmaus Learning Center since it began. Through that connection a relationship grew between BCE founder, Abe Schwartz, and Jim. Over the years Brother Abe invited Jim to assist him in regional fall educator seminars and other BCE related activities. When Brother Abe reached the decision to retire he sought for a way that the BCE ministry would continue. After much exploration, prayer, and labor BCE was relocated to Greenville, Ohio under the administration of Jim. The ministry of BCE continues with the same vision it was founded under in 1982.