
About Us


Who We Are
The Alliance Center for Leadership Development is a hub for leadership development and ministry preparation for those interested in serving with The Christian & Missionary Alliance and for those who already serve with the Christian and Missionary Alliance but need additional training, development or certification.

Mission
We provide well-designed, low-cost, digital training in Biblical studies, theological studies, and practical leadership which is designed to prepare men and women for leadership in local Alliance churches and Mission fields.

Vision
We strive to ensure that every Alliance church and mission field has ready access to Spirit-dependent, well-trained men and women who are competent to serve in leadership roles and whose mission is to reach the lost, equip disciples, and multiply churches both locally and globally.

Foundation
We fundamentally believe that church leaders must be immersed in the Word of God. Therefore, every program offered at the ACLD is grounded in the Word.

Our Distinctives

Digitally-Driven
We leverage technology to build leaders. Our programs are offered fully online and leverage AI technologies so that leaders in training can stay connected within their local church communities and learn in their heart language.

Future-Focused
We are developing the leaders of tomorrow today. Thus, we keep our pulse on the cultural, social, and theological trends that are impacting the church and her mission in order to prepare just-in-time training for future and current ministry leaders.

Spiritually-Formational
Not every disciple is called to be a leader, but every leader in the church must first be a disciple. Thus, our courses are designed to equip the soul of our students as well as prepare them for ministry leadership.
Further, our staff and faculty are committed to the development of our students as followers of Jesus as much as they are committed to helping them learn how to lead.

Leadership Team

Dr. Steve Grusendorf, Ph.D.
Director

Dr. Hector Belen, D. Min.
Assistant Director for Church Leadership

Dr. Ben Elliott, Ph.D.
Lay Preaching Certificate Lead

Dr. Chris VanBuskirk, Ed.D.
Instructional Design, Web Support

Mrs. Hilda Maysonet
ACLD Coordinator, Student Support
Dr. Steve Grusendorf, Ph.D.
Director, Alliance Center For Leadership Development
Steve is an ordained Christian and Missionary Alliance minister with over 20 years of pastoral and ministry experience. As Director of the Alliance Center for Leadership Development (ACLD), he leads efforts to prepare men and women for ministry leadership. He works closely with Alliance District leaders to support District Consecration and Ordination Councils. He holds an MA in Bible and a PhD in Leadership Studies from Capital Seminary. In addition to his work through ACLD, Steve teaches graduate and doctoral courses in nonprofit leadership, ministry leadership, and theology at institutions nationwide. Steve is happily married, is the father of two boys, and lives in Central Ohio.

Dr. Hector Belen, D.Min.
Assistant Director for Church Leadership
Hector brings a wealth of local church and District leadership experience. He has served in licensed ministry with the C&MA for over 30 years, serving as a local church pastor, church planter, district staff member, and District Superintendent. His primary focus is developing discipleship training material for use in local Alliance churches. Our heartbeat here at ACLD is to equip churches with tools that help every believer become a disciple.

Dr. Ben Elliott, Ph.D.
Lay Preaching Certificate Lead

Dr. Chris VanBuskirk, Ed.D.
Instructional Design, Web Support
Before joining the Alliance, Chris was involved in online education at a Bible college and classroom education at a small Christian high school in Salisbury, Maryland.
Chris has a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Trinity Theological Seminary. He has been married to Lea Ann for 30 years, and they have four adult children. They live in Manheim, Pennsylvania.
His favorite moments in life are connecting with students who are on a journey. He loves the mission of changing people’s lives, if only a little bit, by teaching about Jesus, the power of salvation, and the process of sanctification. His favorite expression is “One lightbulb at a time.”

Mrs. Hilda Maysonet
ACLD Coordinator, Student Support
Hilda has extensive experience in administrative support services, having served many years in the pharmaceutical and the medical device manufacturing business world. You will often find Hilda connecting with ACLD students. Whether it’s questions about joining a program, paying a bill, or looking for grades Hilda has a servant’s heart that shines brightly for Christ.
She and her husband reside in the greater Columbus, OH, area, after relocating from Colorado Springs.



The Alliance
The U.S. Alliance is part of a Christ-centered global movement more than 6 million strong. Our Acts 1:8 family—inspired by Jesus’ love and empowered by His Spirit—is passionate to bring the good news about Him to our neighborhoods and world.

Serve With The Alliance
If you’d like to know more about serving with The Alliance, either in the US or Overseas, visit our “called2serve” website. Here you can begin a worker profile which will help us get to know you a little better and connect you with experienced Alliance staff to guide your exploration.
Educational Partners
Graduates of the School of Ministry can transfer their credits to one of our Alliance Colleges and Universities to receive 30 credits toward an undergraduate degree or, in some instances, 6 credits toward a graduate degree. Contact us for more information.