Welcome to CSLI Northeast Ohio
Discover how discipleship is changing lives in Northeast Ohio.
Fellows Program Applications for 2025-2026 Now Open!
Instructions: Click APPLY to start your application. Please note that unless otherwise indicated you are required to have two recommendation forms, one from your pastor or ministry leader AND one from a non-related person who knows you well. To learn more about the Fellows programs, please click here.
To share the recommendation link with your pastor/ministry leader and friend, simply click on the Recommendation button under the relevant program, copy the link and paste into an email to send to your recommender: Unless otherwise noted, your application package will not be complete until we receive both recommendation forms along with a completed application.
The C.S. Lewis Institute in Northeast Ohio is devoted to developing disciples who can articulate, defend, share and live faith in Christ in public and personal life. We are an extension of the C.S. Lewis Institute in Washington D.C., which began in 1976 and stresses discipleship of mind and heart. The Institute works in partnership with local churches and ministries to help believers glorify God by becoming mature disciples of Jesus Christ who impact the spheres of influence to which God has called them. This discipleship occurs through:
The Fellows Program
The CSLI Fellows Program offers a year of intensive training that leads to significant life-change. Unlike many discipleship programs, the Fellows program focuses on discipleship of both heart and mind. It involves Bible study, classic readings, lectures, group processing, personal spiritual mentoring and accountability — all in the context of a small group of like-minded believers. This year-long program is designed for those who want to live as fully committed disciples of Jesus Christ and make an impact for him in the world.
Download the Fellows Program Brochure
IMPORTANT DATES:
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 23993 Heart and Mind Discipleship Live Online Small Group 8:00 PM ET https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=heart-and-mind-discipleship-live-online-small-group-800-pm-et&event_date=2025-02-25®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2025-02-2525 Feb, 2025Tuesday, 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm Upcoming
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 23960 LOCAL EVENT: Five Steps For Answering Any Tough Question with Andy Bannister (NEOH) https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=local-event-five-steps-for-answering-any-tough-question-with-andy-bannister-neoh&event_date=2025-04-08®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2025-04-0808 Apr, 2025Tuesday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm UpcomingYoungstown State University, Bliss Hall, Wick Avenue, Youngstown, OH, USA
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 23963 LOCAL EVENT: Sharing Our Faith With the Apathetic or Disinterested with Andy Bannister (NEOH) https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=local-event-sharing-our-faith-with-the-apathetic-or-disinterested-with-andy-bannister-neoh&event_date=2025-04-09®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2025-04-0909 Apr, 2025Wednesday, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm UpcomingCornerstone Church of Austintown, Mahoning Avenue, Austintown, OH, USA
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 18008 GLOBAL EVENT: 2025 Turkey & Greece Study Program – In the Footsteps of the Apostles https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-2023-biblical-study-program-of-israel&event_date=2025-05-03®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2025-05-0303 May, 2025May 3, 2025 3:00 pm - May 17, 2025 9:00 am Upcomingİstanbul, Türkiye
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0 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 0.00 All Booked 22904 GLOBAL EVENT: 2025 Study Tour of C.S. Lewis’s Belfast & Oxford https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/?event=global-event-2025-study-tour-of-c-s-lewiss-belfast-oxford&event_date=2025-06-21®=1 https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr 2025-06-2121 Jun, 2025June 21, 2025 12:00 pm - June 29, 2025 10:00 am UpcomingBelfast, Northern Ireland & Oxford, England
VIEW OUR FULL CALENDAR BY MONTH.
Broadcast Talks
A quarterly publication that presents ideas to cultivate Christ-like thinking and living.
Challenging Questions
Each month an important question about faith is addressed by a key scholar or leader.
Knowing & Doing
Featuring teaching articles from nationally recognized leaders in discipleship, spirituality, theology, apologetics, and cultural analysis.
Spiritual Check-Up
A tool for assessing one's growth in Christ
Bible Reading Plan
Read through the whole Bible using a plan that has been helpful to many people connected with the Institute.
Our free Resource Library
Offers a variety of recordings from nationally recognized speakers, and our growing audio, video and print library. Featuring free content from past seminars, including names like John Stott, Greg Ogden, J.I. Packer and Chuck Colson.
Give Today!
The discipleship ministry of the C.S. Lewis Institute is made possible through your financial gifts, prayers and volunteerism. It can't be done without your partnership in this ministry.
Northeast Ohio Staff

Bethann Valantine
Director, Northeast OhioBethann Valantine joined the team in Northeast Ohio in 2013, after serving 13 years at Pregnancy Help Center as…
Team Members

Bethann Valantine
Director, Northeast OhioBethann Valantine joined the team in Northeast Ohio in 2013, after serving 13 years at Pregnancy Help Center as Development & Events Director, as well as working in Frontline Development with Mentor Leaders, a non-profit, humanitarian organization. Mentoring and discipleship has always been a passion, with the intention of equipping future generations to aspire to reach the abundant life promised to us. Another passion is her family. Beth is married and has a daughter, a son-in-law, a son, and a daughter-in-law, as well as 4 grandchildren. Bethann’s desire to intentionally go deeper with God brought her to the C.S. Lewis Institute as a Fellow and a mentor, and currently is overjoyed to hold the position as Fellows Program Director.

Daniel Semelsberger
Resident Scholar, Northeast OhioDaniel Semelsberger serves as the Resident Scholar for the Northeast Ohio location of the C.S. Lewis Institute. Daniel holds…
Team Members

Daniel Semelsberger
Resident Scholar, Northeast OhioDaniel Semelsberger serves as the Resident Scholar for the Northeast Ohio location of the C.S. Lewis Institute. Daniel holds multiple degrees in history from Mount Vernon Nazarene University (B.A., 2009) and Miami University (M.A., 2012), and a degree in cultural apologetics from Houston Christian University (M.A., 2019). As an alumnus of the Fellows Program, whose life and faith have been enriched by the program’s emphasis on formation of the heart and mind in equal measure, he works in his present role to ensure that current Fellows and Inklings benefit by sound, high-level teaching that both challenges and encourages them in their study and growth. He resides in Akron, Ohio, with his wife and a pair of rambunctious feline house guests.

Sarah Bader
Fellows Program Coordinator, Northeast OhioSarah Bader joined the Northeast Ohio team in 2025. She is a licensed Pastor and has been involved in…
Team Members

Sarah Bader
Fellows Program Coordinator, Northeast OhioSarah Bader joined the Northeast Ohio team in 2025. She is a licensed Pastor and has been involved in various ministries around the world for more than fifteen years. One of her many passions is to see lives changed and for those to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ. Sarah enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. Sarah and her husband have three beautiful children.
Northeast Ohio Facilitators

Ron Elkins
Northeast Ohio FacilitatorRon Elkins was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. After a career with the U.S. Department of State, which…
Team Members

Ron Elkins
Northeast Ohio FacilitatorRon Elkins was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. After a career with the U.S. Department of State, which took them away from Ohio, Ron, his wife, and their son returned to Youngstown. Ron has completed years one and two of the Fellows program. Subsequently, he served as a mentor for year one Fellows and on the Advisory Board with CSLI. Ron is currently the Men’s Program Director at the Pregnancy Help Center in Youngstown.

Jannai Shields
Northeast Ohio FacilitatorJannai Shields received his Ph.D. in philosophy in 2019 from the University of Rochester. His areas of expertise include…
Team Members

Jannai Shields
Northeast Ohio FacilitatorJannai Shields received his Ph.D. in philosophy in 2019 from the University of Rochester. His areas of expertise include philosophy of mind, philosophy of science, metaphysics, and the philosophy of religion. Jannai has been a frequent lecturer for the Year One Fellows class. He was visiting professor of philosophy at Western Kentucky University from 2018 until 2021, when he and his wife decided to move back to northeast Ohio with their four children.

Michael Zalar
Northeast Ohio FacilitatorMichael Zalar is a retired educator having served in various roles as a teacher and administrator in both K-12…
Team Members

Michael Zalar
Northeast Ohio FacilitatorMichael Zalar is a retired educator having served in various roles as a teacher and administrator in both K-12 and higher education. He is a graduate of CSLI Year One and Year Two programs. Mike also has earned additional certificates in biblical studies, discipleship, and spiritual direction. He has been married to his beautiful wife for 42 years and together they have five children and six grandchildren.
Northeast Ohio Advisory Board

Nicole Hopper
Advisory Board, Northeast OhioNicole Hopper joined the advisory board in June 2024. She is an alumnus from the Year One Fellows class…
Team Members

Nicole Hopper
Advisory Board, Northeast OhioNicole Hopper joined the advisory board in June 2024. She is an alumnus from the Year One Fellows class of 2022. Nicole has been employed for the past 10 years by the Pregnancy Help Center in Youngstown, Ohio, as their Nurse Manager. She is excited to be able to serve many past, present, and future CSLI Fellows. Nicole hopes to use her gifts and love of mentoring to help maximize the experience for all of our Fellows in Northeast Ohio. Nicole grew up in the area and has one son.

Dino Capestrani
Advisory Board, Northeast OhioDino Capestrani began serving on the Advisory Board in 2024. He is a dedicated servant of Jesus Christ with…
Team Members

Dino Capestrani
Advisory Board, Northeast OhioDino Capestrani began serving on the Advisory Board in 2024. He is a dedicated servant of Jesus Christ with a passion for sharing God’s love and truth. He has completed the CSLI Year One Fellows Program and is currently studying Year Two. Dino has been instrumental in leading various ministries; serving as an Elder at Community Alliance Church, President of his congregation, and Chairman of the Board for Concordia Lutheran Ministries. With over 45 years of marketing and advertising experience running a successful marketing agency with his wife; Dino brings his passion and expertise to serve the Fellows and staff. He has 20+ years of martial arts experience. Dino and his wife live in Butler, PA and have 2 adult daughters.

David Whittington
Advisory Board, Northeast OhioDavid Whittington is an alumnus of the CSLI Fellows Program and has been a board member since 2019. He…
Team Members

David Whittington
Advisory Board, Northeast OhioDavid Whittington is an alumnus of the CSLI Fellows Program and has been a board member since 2019. He has a Master of Arts in American History and Government, from Ashland University. David’s goal is to help preserve and expand the vital Fellows Program in an ecumenical setting of Christian fellowship, facilitating Christian leadership in both word and example. In doing so, it enables each fellow to carry out the great commission. David has been a practicing veterinarian for the last 37 years. He loves kayaking, hiking in the mountains, and beach vacations. He and his wife have been married for 33 years and have one son.
Contact Us
C.S. Lewis Institute
Northeast Ohio
P.O. Box 4970
Youngstown, Ohio 44515
Beth Valantine, City Director
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (330) 881-0235
Newsletters
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Brochures
Overview Brochure
The C.S. Lewis Institute offers life-changing discipleship for those who are ready to be intentional about spiritual growth in Christ, and who desire for God to use them in powerful ways for His Kingdom. Read more. . .
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