When Jon Lineberger first set foot onto the Houston Christian University campus (then Houston Baptist University), he was a young man unsure of his place in the world and searching for a new direction. Looking back now, his path was divinely appointed.
“God used HBU to mold me at exactly the right time in my life,” Jon continues, “I didn’t just receive an education, I received a foundation for life.”
Eighteen months prior to visiting HCU, Jon decided to make Jesus Christ the Lord of his life, and what happened next would not only change his life but also hundreds of thousands of students’ lives across Texas.
Today, as the President of ACE Scholarships Texas, Jon leads a powerful mission to provide life-changing educational opportunities for students from lower-income families. His journey from a struggling student to an award-winning leader is a story of redemption, purpose and unwavering faith.
The journey wasn’t easy. After struggling at community colleges, he arrived at HCU feeling nervous and insecure. His first quarter was particularly humbling, earning a 1.33 GPA. Many would have given up, but with encouragement from his father and a powerful conversation with his mother, he discovered something transformative.
“I stopped seeing myself as incapable and began to believe, with God’s help, I could succeed,” Lineberger recalls.
Following this realization was a remarkable turnaround. He taught himself how to study, spending late nights in empty classrooms until security asked him to leave.
“Before opening my textbooks, I would open my Bible and read Scripture, which motivated me to do my best. I would pray that God would help me understand and remember what I was studying,” he shares.
By his second quarter, his GPA rose to 2.63, and by the third, he achieved a perfect 4.0 that became the first of many.
Jon’s transformation extended far beyond the classroom. Through deep, meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students, especially his roommate, Ross, he came to see learning as an act of worship to God. By the time he completed his journey at HCU, both Jon and Ross were honored with the prestigious President’s Award, their names etched side by side on HCU’s Walk of Honor.
Jon’s time at HCU ignited a passion for helping others who struggle academically and personally. After 25 years in private education leadership, earning recognition including Dallas Business Journal’s 40 under 40 and Frisco’s Citizen of the Year, Lineberger found his calling at ACE Scholarships as President of ACE Texas.
“Throughout my career, I’ve had the honor of working on teams that impacted hundreds and thousands of lives,” he explains. “But with ACE Scholarships, the potential to help people is exponentially greater.”
Ace Scholarships empowers lower-income families by providing access to quality private K-12 education regardless of income or zip code. The results are remarkable:
ACE students maintain a 99% graduation rate, and those attending ACE partner schools score 40% higher in reading and 34% higher in math compared to their public school peers.
The impact extends far beyond test scores. “We’ve received feedback from parents saying they now help their kids with homework regularly, eat family meals together more often, receive better job offers as a result of their new network,” he continues, “some parents have even been encouraged to go back to school themselves and complete a college degree.”
As ACE says, “Changing education changes everything.”
One story that exemplifies ACE’s impact involves Greta Alexander, a mother who lived in a neighborhood plagued by crime and drug abuse. After losing her youngest son to addiction, Ms. Alexander adopted Miracle, a daughter born in prison. Desperate for a better environment but unable to afford private tuition, she discovered ACE Scholarships.
Today, Miracle is a rising senior, class chaplain, athlete, a top academic performer and an aspiring surgeon and entrepreneur.
“Greta says the school environment elevated Miracle’s vision for her future, something she believes would not have been possible without ACE,” Lineberger shares.
With Texas currently ranking 29th nationally in K-12 education, the work feels urgent. Recent school legislation is projected to impact 100,000 students in its first year, but with over 3.3 million lower-income students in Texas, the need far exceeds current resources.
“We’re at a pivotal moment in education,” he notes.
While educational Savings Accounts won’t take effect until the 2026-2027 school year, thousands of families need help today. ACE Texas recently received a record number of scholarship applications for Fall 2025, highlighting the urgent and growing need.
His vision is ambitious but grounded in proven results: “I believe Texas will rise to become #1 nationally in K-12 education. School choice will foster competition, which in turn will drive improvement across all school types, public, charter, private and homeschool.”
Looking back, Jon clearly sees how his HCU experience prepared him for his calling. The integration of faith and learning shaped his worldview, leading him to approach ACE’s work through the lens of the Good Samaritan parable:
“The Samaritan didn’t stop to question the man’s background or belief system, he simply helped using his own resources.”
At ACE, scholarships are awarded based on financial need, not merit.
“Every child deserves a safe and supportive environment where they can thrive,” he explains. “We receive thousands of letters each year from grateful families who were at a breaking point. All they needed was a chance.”
Looking forward, Jon’s hope for the future is clear.
“I hope my legacy will be measured by lives changed, students who received the opportunity to dream, achieve and become all that God intended for them.”
With 2026 projected to be ACE’s most impactful year yet, this HCU graduate continues to embody the university’s mission of transforming lives through Christ-centered education.
From a struggling student who almost gave up after one quarter to a leader transforming educational access for hundreds of thousands, his journey demonstrates the power of faith, perseverance and the right educational foundation.
“I was once helped and inspired by others,” he reflects. “Now, I hope to do the same and encourage people to dream big and pursue those dreams, no matter where they start.”
If you are looking to connect with Jon Lineberger, you can find him on Linkedin. To find out more information about ACE Texas, visit their website at www.acescholarships.org/become-a-scholar/texas