About Don Sanderson

Don Sanderson, M.A., M.P.S., is an executive leader, author, speaker, and leadership consultant with more than 32 years of executive leadership experience in ministry, education, nonprofit organizations, and organizational development. Throughout his career, he has led organizations through seasons of growth, revitalization, strategic change, and long-term sustainability while developing leaders who serve with character, conviction, and purpose.

As President of DSM International, Don partners with churches, universities, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and mission-driven organizations to strengthen leadership, cultivate healthy organizational cultures, and equip the next generation of leaders. His keynote presentations and consulting combine practical leadership principles, organizational insight, and timeless biblical wisdom, offering actionable strategies that translate across diverse leadership environments.

Don currently serves as Lead Pastor of Vista Assembly of God and Director of Vista Christian Schools in Southern California. He has also served in executive leadership within higher education, as Dean of Students, professor, and member of the President's Cabinet at Valor Christian College, and has taught theology, leadership, and ministry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

He holds a Master of Arts in Practical Theology and a Master of Professional Studies and is pursuing doctoral research in Practical Theology, focusing on pastoral formation, leadership development, and Pentecostal pastoral theology. Don is the author of They Call Me Pastor: A Blueprint to Lead Today's Church to Sustained Health and Renewal and the forthcoming The Restored Shepherd.

Whether addressing a congregation, a university, a nonprofit board, or a corporate leadership team, Don's passion is the same: helping leaders flourish, strengthening organizations, and building cultures that produce lasting impact.

What We Do

Leadership shapes cultures. Healthy leaders build healthy organizations. At DSM International, we are committed to developing leaders of character, strengthening organizations, and equipping the next generation to lead with wisdom, integrity, and purpose.

Drawing upon more than three decades of executive leadership in ministry, education, nonprofit organizations, and organizational renewal, we partner with churches, Christian schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and mission-driven institutions to cultivate leadership that is both principled and effective.

Our work is grounded in timeless biblical truth while addressing the real challenges facing today's leaders. Whether speaking to a boardroom, a university classroom, a church congregation, or a leadership conference, our goal remains the same: to help leaders and organizations flourish for the long term.

We accomplish this through four primary areas of ministry:

Leadership Development

We equip current and emerging leaders through keynote speaking, executive mentoring, leadership training, and practical theological education. Our focus is not simply on leadership skills, but on developing leaders whose character is equal to their calling.

Organizational Renewal

Healthy organizations do not happen by accident. We help churches, nonprofit organizations, schools, and mission-driven institutions strengthen their culture, clarify their vision, navigate seasons of transition, and build sustainable pathways for long-term health and effectiveness.

Speaking & Consulting

From churches and universities to nonprofit organizations and corporate leadership teams, our presentations combine practical leadership principles, organizational insight, and enduring biblical wisdom. Every engagement is designed to inspire, challenge, and provide practical strategies that leaders can immediately apply.

Resources & Publishing

Through books, articles, leadership resources, Bible curriculum, and digital content, DSM International equips leaders for lifelong growth. Our publishing ministry exists to place biblically grounded, practically relevant resources into the hands of pastors, educators, executives, nonprofit leaders, and the next generation of servant leaders.

Who We Serve

  • Churches and Denominations

  • Christian Schools and Universities

  • Colleges and Academic Institutions

  • Nonprofit Organizations

  • Corporate Leadership Teams

  • Conference and Event Organizers

  • Ministry Leaders and Mission Organizations

  • Emerging Leaders and Students