As President of Mid-America Christian University, Dr. Phil Greenwald is committed to equipping students with the knowledge, character, and faith to lead in their fields. At MACU, they blend Christ-centered education with career-focused programs that serve all learners.
Greenwald brings a heart for ministry and a strategic mindset to higher education, emphasizing servant leadership, innovation in online learning, and community engagement. Recent achievements include growth in enrollment, national visibility through affiliations such as the Church of God Ministries Council, and expansion of their programs.
The following are the insights that he shared.
Stewarding the University’s Vision and Resources
My background bridges ministry, strategy, and education. Beginning in church leadership, I developed a passion for shepherding people toward their God-given purpose. Over time, that calling led me into Christian higher education, where I saw a tremendous opportunity to shape the hearts and minds of the next generation.
As President of MACU, I am responsible for stewarding the University’s vision and resources in a way that honors Christ and empowers our students. Every decision I make is filtered through two priorities: faithfulness to our mission and care for our people—students, faculty, staff, alumni, and our broader community.
Leading with Compassion and Clarity
Ministry and strategy are not mutually exclusive. They inform and strengthen each other. A ministry mindset encourages us to prioritize our faith and the people we serve. A strategic mindset helps create systems, structures, and opportunities that allow that potential to flourish.
Whether expanding access through online learning, launching new degree programs, or simply taking time to pray with a student, I aim to lead with compassion and clarity. It’s not just about running a university; it’s about transforming lives.
“What excites me most is the opportunity to expand the reach of Christian education without compromising our core values.”
My anchor is daily time in the Word and prayer. That quiet, consistent communion with God keeps my priorities aligned and my spirit at peace, even when challenges mount. I also surround myself with a circle of family, trustees, spiritual mentors, and faculty/staff members who help keep me accountable and encouraged.
Leading a Christian institution means modeling what walking in step with the Holy Spirit looks like.
Making Ambassadors of Christ in Every Field
What excites me most is the opportunity to expand the reach of Christian education without compromising our core values. Technology allows us to bring high-quality, faith-integrated learning to students virtually, many of whom may never step foot on our campus.
A great opportunity lies in reimagining how education is delivered: shorter pathways to degrees, real-time connections to job markets, and deeply embedded spiritual formation throughout the student journey. At MACU, we’re asking what we teach, how, and why, so we can prepare servant leaders for a rapidly changing world.
It’s part of our DNA, returning to our humble beginnings in 1953. From the classroom to the chapel to the community spaces, every experience at MACU is intentionally designed to nurture competence and character—our faculty and staff model servant leadership. Our curriculum includes faith-informed perspectives. Our culture encourages prayer, worship, and discipleship. Students don’t just earn a degree; they grow into their calling. When they graduate, they leave ready to succeed professionally and live purposefully as ambassadors of Christ in every field.
Stay Teachable. Stay Faithful.
Lead with integrity, serve with humility, show gratitude, and remember your purpose. Life is a marathon, not a sprint, and the impact you make on others through your character and convictions will last. When you align your career with God’s calling, success is redefined, not by status, but by stewardship. Stay teachable. Stay faithful. And trust that God can do more than you ask or imagine.
MACU isn’t just a place to earn a degree—it’s a place where students are holistically equipped for their future. We’re deeply committed to fostering a Christ-centered community with a biblical worldview where students can grow academically, spiritually, and professionally.
In a world of noise and distraction, we strive to be a place of clarity and calling. That’s what makes our mission not only worthwhile, but sacred.
