Zach Thompson brings a diverse background in teaching and ministry to Carolina University. He previously served with Missionary Athletes International as the Urban Ministry Director for Imago Dei Soccer Academy, leading outreach, discipleship, and community engagement. Zach has taught “The Life of Christ” to 9th–11th graders in private Christian education and formerly served as the Next Generation Director at City Light Church. He now serves as the Pastor of Students and Young Adults at First Baptist Summerfield, where he equips children, teenagers, and young adults with a strong biblical worldview.

Driven by a deep passion for discipling the next generation, Zach also frequently teaches as a guest speaker in various local churches. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry with a specialization in Leadership.

Zach loves spending time with his family—including his beautiful wife, Maddie, and their daughters, Scottie and Nora—which remains one of his greatest joys and sources of inspiration in ministry. He is also an avid Tennessee Volunteers fan and enjoys sports and hunting in his free time.

Dr. Kristina Stenersen Railsback spent over two decades in K-12 education, teaching in a variety of levels and settings from the Pacific Northwest to North Carolina. She has taught ages from kindergarten to adult learners, in private school, public school, and higher education settings. She holds state teaching certification as well as certification with the Association of Christian Schools International. Her teaching specialties have included academically gifted education, English/Language Arts, social studies, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Dr. Railsback is a member of the Council of Teachers of English and the International Literacy Association, and has served on school accreditation committees. 

Dr. Railsback’s doctoral research focused on differentiation of instruction in the regular classroom setting to meet the needs of all students. Her scholarly research interests include individualization of learning, multicultural education, curriculum development, culturally responsive teaching, literacy, and Universal Design for Learning. She has a special interest in international education and preparing teachers to work with linguistically and culturally diverse learners.