Related Links: About MVNU | School of Natural and Social Sciences

For the past two years, Gentry has served as headmaster (much like a superintendent) of the International Community School of Bangkok (ICS). “We have four principals and I report to the school board,” Gentry explained. “I’m responsible for every aspect of the school’s operations. We have 114 faculty and staff members and almost 800 students (pre-K through 12th grade), and we could do none of it without God’s daily empowerment and grace.”

For the great responsibilities that he upholds, Gentry comes well prepared. After graduating from MVNU, he went on to receive a Master of Science in education from the State University of New York at Brockport. He has also taken additional coursework at the University of Sarasota, Wright State University and University of Dayton.

While in New York, he married Christine (Barto) whom he met at MVNU. She completed her nursing degree at Roberts Wesleyan while working for two state hospitals. As Gentry neared completion of his master’s degree, he and Christine felt God leading them to serve him overseas in education. While the door did not open at this time, God was preparing both of them for their future.

Instead, the opportunity to teach came at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio. After only six months in this assignment, Gentry received an offer to teach at ICS in Thailand. After teaching there for four years, they strongly felt God wanted them back in the States, where Gentry spent the next five years teaching in Tipp City, West Carrollton and Piqua, Ohio. They couldn’t stay away from Thailand for long, however. He returned to be the high school principal at ICS and was asked to be the headmaster six months later.

“I have seen over and over again how God has used both of our experiences at MVNU to prepare us for the tasks he’s given. MVNU was instrumental in shaping our lives and helping us to be firmly grounded in our faith,” said Gentry. “Neither of us had gone to Christian schools and we were lacking knowledge and instruction from the Word. Attending chapel and classes like History and Faith and Philosophy gave us great foundations for God to build on—and he’s still building.”

“Many other things influenced us as well, including godly professors, bike trips, friends and all of the liberal arts classes like speech, art and history,” Gentry added. “My psychology classes gave me an understanding of human behavior and even some basic principals in counseling that I use in my current assignment on a daily basis.” He commented that his professional goal is to seek God in every decision he makes.

Gentry recently made the 24-hour trip back to his alma mater to forge some relationships and discuss the possibility of having MVNU student teachers and graduates at ICS. He also spoke with current students about daily life, education and faith in Thailand. Gentry relayed stories of families sweeping the water out of their homes during the rainy season, the joys and challenges of living in a truly international community and local religious customs of the 95 percent Buddhist country.

“The school is open to students of all faiths, as long as they agree to participate in Bible classes and to be taught all subjects from a Christian worldview. This is only possible when we hire teachers who are highly qualified who lives their lives with a Christian worldview,” he said. “I believe that MVNU is preparing teachers who want to serve God. Student teaching is a great opportunity to get great experience while seeking direction from God about being a teacher/missionary. I believe that MVNU students could benefit from such an experience.

If any MVNU alumni are interested in teaching overseas and want to share the Gospel with students from over 20 countries, please contact Gentry at Darren_G@icsbangkok.com.

Darren and Christine have four children: Micah (14), Moriah (11), Michaela (8) and Makenna (3).

For more information, visit www.mvnu.edu/news or call (740) 392-6868, ext. 4341.

Mount Vernon Nazarene University is a private, four-year, intentionally Christian teaching university for traditional age students, graduate students and working adults. U.S. News & World Report ranks MVNU as a Best in the Midwest (Bachelor’s) institution for the third year in a row. With a 401-acre main campus in Mount Vernon, Ohio, and nine satellite Adult and Graduate Studies campuses throughout the state, MVNU emphasizes academic excellence, spiritual growth and service to community and church. MVNU offers an affordable education to more than 2,600 students from 23 states and five countries/U.S. territories.