Our Board
Paul Suarez
Paul Suarez serves as President of The Pastor Plan Initiative (PPi), where he acts as Chief Executive Officer and supervises the organization’s affairs while implementing strategic plans and policies. Publisher Paul Suarez, who resides in eastern Tennessee with his family, has homeschooled his seven children since 1990 alongside his wife, Gena. He embraces and promotes the biblical philosophy that “homeschooling” is not so much about schooling/education, as it is about discipleship—bringing up children “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Paul and Gena continue homeschooling their youngest two children, Chloe and Zion. Paul spends his days with Zion always near his side, enjoying camping, fixing things, reading God’s word, general homeschooling, and going on motorcycle rides together. He also takes Chloe to “gigs” where she performs violin for the Town of Jonesborough and surrounding cities and events—she is a self-taught violinist who has been playing since she was nine years old. As publisher of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, the trade magazine for homeschool families, Paul shares his family’s vision of biblical homeschooling around the world. In his role at PPi, he serves as the primary liaison between the Board and executive staff, presiding at Board meetings and executing the organization’s mission.
David Watkins
David Watkins serves as Vice President of The Pastor Plan Initiative (PPi), supporting the organization’s mission through strategic planning and stakeholder relationships. He earned a B.A. from Oklahoma Baptist University and received his Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary. He has pastored Heritage Baptist Church in Blaine, Minnesota, since 1982. David and his wife, Linda, began home educating their eight children in 1986, just before the legislature passed the Minnesota homeschool law. David was the Chairman of the Board of Directors of MÂCHÉ (Minnesota Association of Christian Home Educators) for seven years before becoming the organization’s first Executive Director in 2011 and retiring from that position in 2020. He and his wife also serve on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership (NACHEL), a national organization serving state and provincial homeschool leaders from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. David and Linda see the eternal benefits of Christian home education and desire to mentor a second generation of homeschoolers who are willing to take the baton and run well for Jesus Christ.
Homer Allen
Homer Allen serves as Director of Community Engagement for The Pastor Plan Initiative (PPi), where he collaborates with the Board and its Advisors to develop strategies that enhance the organization’s impact, outreach, and funding through building relationships with churches, ministries, businesses, and foundations. He has been involved in Christian education for over 37 years, serving as Head of School at three Christian academies. He is an adjunct professor at the School of Education at Regent University, a Herzog Foundation mentor for K-12 Christian schools, and the president of Homeschool New England. Mr. Allen is also a strategic planning and development consultant to several ministries and schools, and the author of Train Up A Champion. In his role at PPi, he manages donor relationships, coordinates events, and contributes to strategic planning while ensuring community engagement activities align with the organization’s mission and goals. He has been joyfully married to Patt, the wife of his youth, for 37 years, and they are the parents of two wonderful daughters who are both using their gifts and talents to serve the Lord.
Gena Suarez
Gena Suarez serves as Treasurer of The Pastor Plan Initiative (PPi), where she maintains custody of all corporate funds, keeps accurate accounts of the organization’s properties and business transactions, and renders reports to the Board of Directors. Publisher Gena Suarez, who resides in eastern Tennessee with her family, has homeschooled her seven children since 1990 alongside her husband, Paul. She is passionate about helping families understand that true education is rooted in biblical discipleship and character development. Gena continues homeschooling her youngest two children, Chloe and Zion, while publishing The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine and running a large staff. She and her husband, Paul, have established many homeschooling co-ops both in East Tennessee and worldwide, including as far away as Chile and South Africa. Gena enjoys teaching classes in the co-ops they have established, where her youngest two children attend, including High School Literature, Public Speaking, U.S. History, Manners/Etiquette, Junior High Language Arts, and Bible Character. Through TOS Magazine, Gena shares her family’s vision of biblical homeschooling around the world.