Why do you homeschool? When your children are grown, what will define success for you? What is a Biblical philosophy of education? This workshop will help you to focus on what is really important. Israel will share with you what has helped his family avoid burnout and frustration in the many years of homeschooling.

When you are trying to inspire and motivate children, there are two forces that are often exerted: Positive and Negative Reinforcement. In this session, Israel explains the importance of affirmation as a way to inspire and motivate your reluctant child. Drawing from practical and Biblical examples, this session will help you to keep those important relational connections as you are attempting to impart knowledge.

“I Quit,” you’ve decided. You can’t quite discern whether God wants you to homeschool or not. Maybe you’re burned out, fed up, feeling inadequate, or just plain tired of it all. But, whatever the reason for quitting, deep in your heart, you’re still wondering, “Maybe I should stick with it.” In this workshop Susan Kemmerer, a homeschool mom of 25+ years, looks at numerous reasons why moms quit homeschooling, as well as some solutions to those things that rob you of your joy and motivation to homeschool. If you’re looking for reasons to continue when you’ve got nothing left to give, then this workshop is for you.

How do we get a witnessing conversation started? What if someone asks a question we can’t answer? What if we feel scared? How can we articulate the truth of the gospel with boldness, confidence, clarity and accuracy? In this session, Sarah and Grace Mally, together with their father Harold, share practical tips, ideas, and stories about how to effectively communicate the gospel to those around us. We only have one life to live, and it goes by quickly! Today’s Christian home school youth are in a position like Esther. God has raised them up “for such a time as this.” We need to work together and encourage each other. The question is, “Will our generation speak?”

Music, composer study, artist study, handcrafts, folk songs, hymns, foreign language, free reading, and poetry. Do these sound like the always-just-out-of-reach, icing-on-the-cake courses? Do you feel you have too much else to do, and you just can’t fit in all these “fun studies”? Are these just special treats reserved for the super-organized mom sitting next to you at home school group? Well, Sue Pruett would like to encourage you that you CAN do these, and give your children the excellent education you desire for them! These subjects are just as vital as history, math, and science to your curriculum! Come, learn how you can have that icing on the cake – and give it to your children, as well – even first thing in the morning!

Feel overwhelmed with your child’s unique needs? Think you cannot possibly homeschool with these challenges? This presentation is all about offering encouragement to parents who homeschool (or desire to homeschool) their special-needs children. We will discuss the why’s and how’s of homeschooling our special-needs child, record keeping, resources and planning for the future.

Are you new to homeschooling or new to Pennsylvania? Are you thinking about homeschooling at some point in the future? Do you have questions about what homeschooling might look like and how to get started? This session is designed to encourage and equip you to homeschool your children. Topics include: Why homeschool?, how to get started in PA, a typical day, curriculum, record keeping, testing, portfolios, and evaluations. There will also be time for questions.

We believe in the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ. So why do so many of our homeschools not reflect that gospel? Why having started in the Spirit, are we now homeschooling in the flesh? Come be reminded of the gospel truths we forget. You will leave encouraged!

How is your homeschool year going? Are you feeling overwhelmed right now, lacking strength and faith to continue? Perhaps you are just fed up with the constant battle, tired of being so tired. Would it surprise you to discover that these are normal thoughts and feelings for many (or even most) homeschool moms? There are answers – though you won’t find your answers in that new curriculum or in that clever chore chart. God has a much greater plan in store for you. Whether you’ve experienced a season of blessing as you homeschooled or you feel mired in self-doubt, this workshop will encourage your soul.

Come and laugh with author, speaker, and homeschool mom Linda Crosby as she takes us on an entertaining journey through her many years of homeschooling. You will be refreshed, rejuvenated, and revived. With four children, four different learning styles, a late reader, an international adoption (read: English as a second language!), and a child with special needs, Linda gives hope to a variety of homeschooling parents. You will be encouraged to enjoy each day with your children, to never lose sight of why you do what you do, and most importantly to never forget that it is God who fills in the gaps.

Faster than a speeding toddler. More perceptive than a loco teenager. Able to fold tall towers of laundry in a single hour. It’s a maid. It’s a teacher. It’s Supermom! Unfortunately, Supermom I am not. There are just not enough hours in my day or energy in this old body. So, how do we homeschool moms do it all? How is everyone else so successful when I’m such a failure? Is it possible to succeed in keeping up with the housework and the homeschool? Or do I just hope nobody phones in a tip to the Environmental Protection Agency that my home is a hazardous waste site? A homeschool mother of nine shares with you the tools she uses to cope with the pressures of doing it all.

Homeschooling high school can seem intimidating. This is an informational session for those with children approaching high school or in high school. Basic information about transcripts, credits, tests, course descriptions, and some of the options available for high school courses and curriculum will be presented. This overview is designed to provide insight and encouragement as you enter this new phase of the homeschooling adventure.

Science offers an opportunity for your child to explore, wonder, and learn about our awesome God and the order He has placed in our world. Unfortunately, science is also one of those fields of study that many homeschooling parents find extremely intimidating. Dr. Callentine will help you unpack and address your concerns. Whether your student is currently in high school or in the elementary grades, you will be armed and ready.

Standing for faith, family, and freedom requires strength and courage. At a time in our history when this is more important than ever before, homeschooling families are living very strong and courageous lives. The Hebrew word for strong in the Old Testament is a verb meaning decisive action. It also means encouragement. The idea communicated is that we have the courage to act to take on the challenge, which often occurs when we are facing something that seems impossible or has great risk if we fail. In this keynote address, we will look at how God calls us to accomplish the impossible and how homeschooling parents and students have succeeded as leaders in their homes, communities, and our nation. You will be encouraged in your calling as a parent and leader, and we’ll be reminded that as believers we can be a strong and courageous people.

Jessica Hulcy, speaks frankly and transparently about her journey of homeschooling and life with marvelous triumphs and glorious victories and agonizing priority losses that netted damaging consequences. This is a testimony of God’s amazing love and care for each of HIS chosen believers to not lose sight of what The God of the Universe requires of each of us.

The story that must be told about the view from the front lines as God delivered homeschoolers in Idaho from incarceration to their unlikely “Promised Land” of liberty.

Jessica Hulcy gives a stirring rendition of men in history that stayed the course and impacted history. But how could just an average homeschooling mom impact history…. especially a tired mom who is wondering if she should continue in this present calling of homeschooling? Jessica shares numerous personal experiences and stories from her own life where the benefits and rewards of homeschoolers were clearly revealed to her, prompting her to stay her course. Jessica will not only help you see how immensely important your job really is, but she will inspire you to “stay the course!”

What inside tips would a teacher and a home schooling mom/teacher of 30+ years share with moms just beginning to home school? Come hear Jessica Hulcy share her wealth of practical advice and information in her hilarious Jessica-style on what she personally recommends young moms do and not do when they begin homeschooling. Be enlightened and encouraged and entertained…all at the same time!

Connecting with our child’s heart is vital to a successful parenting and homeschool experience. Elizabeth will share some vital ways to nurture this all-important relationship. Her mini-quiz will help you evaluate where you are as a parent connecting with your child’s heart to heart.

Proponents of evolution often apply intimidating techniques in discussion and debate. Join Mike Riddle as he demonstrates how to employ critical thinking skills for disarming the arguments of evolutionists. You will be equipped with three critical thinking questions, The Power Question, and will also learn how to identify red-flag words.

Join Mike Riddle as he walks through the history of our freedom. Mike is a Retired US Marine. He brings enthusiasm and respect for God's plan for our country down through the decades. This presentation is rich in video clips and animation - audio is the only thing that is recorded.

Is Education a neutral subject? Does God have a preference for how He wants children to be educated? What does the Bible teach about schooling? Is there one correct path for education? Are public schools a viable option for Christians? These questions and more will be discussed in this engaging presentation.

Most purity resources these days focus on girls, but purity tends to be a much larger problem for young men, and many seem hopelessly naive about the battles our sons are facing. Today’s young men grow up with challenges to their purity on every side. In a time when over 90% of teens have been exposed to Internet pornography, how can we teach our boys to keep their way pure? What can we do when temptation is lurking on friends’ phones and beckons just a click away? How can we give them a Biblical context for sexuality–from their toddler years to adulthood? Come hear the parents of six sons give you frank, practical advice on raising your son to be a virtuous knight.

There’s nothing more rewarding to a faithful father than getting together with his wife and children for the evening “family time.” But it’s not always easy to make good use of the time when Dad is tired after a hard day’s work. In this workshop Rick Boyer shares ideas he has used over the years with his fourteen children. Now you can have the tools to make the evening get-together a blessing for the whole family–without a lot of preparation!

Setting Them Free with Passion-Driven Learning: Scripture tells us to train up a child in the way “he” should go–not the way “they” should go. Every child is a unique creation of God, with his own fascinating blend of talents, interests and yes, weaknesses. To help them fulfill their life calling, we must develop a specific plan for the training of each one. Come and learn how to work “with” the uniqueness of your child. Escape the bondage of expectations and set your child free to pursue his passions and be the whole person God created him to be.

Homeschooling is more about discipling than academics. We are investing in eternity as we prepare our children to serve God. There is no higher calling. Many times we forget this and other truths, and get distracted from our purpose and goals of homeschooling. Kathie will give 10 key things every homeschooler should remember. You will be encouraged and inspired as she reminds you of these very important thoughts you need to regularly keep before you.

Are you a caregiver for an aging parent?  Are you facing care giving in the future?  Do you ever wonder if those little memory slips are old age or the sign of something worse? Even if you aren't actively caring for someone, most likely you know someone who is, since 34.2 million Americans reported caring for an elderly parent in 2015. Many of us are in the sandwich generation, caring for parents and young children at the same time.  Care giving, especially for those with dementia, takes a special kind of grace and fortitude.  Add in home schooling and young children, and you have the makings of a hairy mess.  Join Danielle Olander, home schooling mother of five, as she shares her family's on-going experiences caring for a parent with Alzheimer's.  Juggling schedules, locating resources, and finding time to recharge, caregivers need support, resources, and sometimes, just someone to listen.  This workshop is designed to bring encouragement to those who are caring for aging parents or for those who want to support those that are caregiving.

Many people have the idea the battle between Christianity and humanism (or creation and evolution) is a battle over who has more “facts.” However, the real battle is actually over the interpretation of the same facts. Until Christians understand that everyone has the same facts, but different interpretations of those facts (based upon different presuppositions or biases), they will not be successful in learning how to defend the Christian faith and think in a true biblical manner. It’s very possible you will never think the same way about this world after attending this workshop!

Regardless of the particular passion God has placed in your child, being successful in any profession depends greatly upon the ability to communicate effectively. As a leader, one must learn how to speak the language of your audience and present your message in a way that allows them to perceive and understand the exact purpose of your communication. In this workshop, Rick will give students and parents specific tools and skills to start them on a road to mastering effective communication skills.

The battle for our children’s life should be fought on our knees! Prayer is the most important part of rearing our children. Why? Because God can do what we cannot do. Kathie will share several practical prayer ideas, as well as suggestions for some the things we should pray for regarding our children. Being a praying parent makes a difference, and we need to commit to praying daily for our kids.

Do you feel out of place because all the other homeschooling families seem to be “normal”? You may be widowed, divorced, separated because of military deployment, or just flying solo because of marital discord in your home. Dena is a real, live single mom who traveled most of the home school journey alone through major family upheaval and eventual divorce. Although she often felt like she was going over Niagara Falls without a barrel, she has, in fact, lived to tell about it. Her kids survived, too! They both achieved National Merit Finalist standing and are pursuing their engineering passions. To all of you single parents wondering if you can make the journey – or convinced that you won’t make it to the finish line – take heart! Dena will share her successes and failures and help you develop a game plan for your own family. Come prepared to take a hard look at your own views about single parenting and consider a fresh perspective that may just breathe new life into your homeschool.

Maybe you are praying about fostering or adopting as you read this title. Adoption is a joyous calling, but can come with plenty of heartache. In this presentation, I share my very honest journey of adoption and it includes plenty of both. You will walk away with some practical ways to help your family on this adoption journey.

When we lead and interact with others (both family members and others), conflict can rise and feelings can get hurt.  How do you work through that in a positive way?  How can you tell them in love how they are doing? How do you respond when they tell you what you are doing wrong?  Come to this workshop, and learn how to tactfully and effectively give and receive feedback.

Sometimes, the opportunity to homeschool is squelched by real financial barriers. The temptation is for both parents to work outside the home and place their children in public school. Beth Mora, mom of eight kids and wife of one hardworking man is no stranger to managing a large family. Learn how she whittled their family food budget down to $500.00/month while her family (One husband, who burns a lot of calories as a contractor, six VERY hungry teenage boys, and two girls) still ate like kings and queens! Her frugal ways saved over $1000/month! Yes, it was work but embracing a fabulous and frugal lifestyle enabled the Mora’s to keep on homeschooling! Are you ready to carve out a part-time job in your home by becoming a top-notch home economist? Your employment application is waiting for you at this workshop! All who are willing will be hired!

The education of a child should be a work of great beauty, like the building of a magnificent cathedral. Years of planning, though, and hard work are poured into both endeavors. In this workshop, we will explore the ideas of cultivating beauty in our homeschools; in ritual, the five senses, and in ourselves as teachers and parents. Packed with both big ideas, and practical advice, parents will leave energized and inspired for the years ahead.

Have you ever felt lost amid all the “stuff” marketed to home schoolers? Confused by the many voices telling you to do it this way or that way? There’s no need to panic. The wisest man in history has some advice to offer. Come and hear powerful, practical solutions that will help you get your priorities straight. God wrote the Proverbs for parents just like YOU.

We all have at least one of these children. They take extra time to complete every lesson, if they complete them at all. And we can fall into the trap of sitting by them to “help” them finish, only to become an educational security blanket. Of course we don’t have time for that, and it is time for us to encourage these children to take up their own responsibilities. But the desire to be driven or to do hard work shouldn’t be for the end goal of becoming a millionaire; it is to work diligently for the Lord, using the gifts He has generously given us for His good! Come be encouraged that our occupation, whether it is student, mother, mail carrier, or king is one that is appointed to us. We’ll go over helpful suggestions to encourage those less-than-enthusiastic children and gain a better perspective of what is really going on.

As a parent homeschooling a teen (or thinking about homeschooling high school in the future), you may have your doubts about your ability…and your sanity. Are you weighed down by the seriousness of high school? Do you question your competence to teach your teen? Come and be encouraged as you discover a new, long range perspective for teaching your teen that is filled with much hope, faith, help…and joy.

In this world filled with technology and devices, intentional parenting is a MUST. Children get one shot at childhood and it is our job to make it count. In this presentation I will give you practical tips on how to engage and connect with your child. We will take a trip down memory lane that will make you laugh and possibly shed a few tears. Either way, you will be challenged and hopefully changed to take on parenting with a newfound passion.

New clean copy uploaded July 7 - It’s such a temptation to stress over teaching predicate nominatives or the steps of division that we forget to delight in our children and make time to enjoy being with them. In this session, Marilyn shares how she has found this to actually be the key to instilling values that stick and building in them a heart for things of the Lord. Take the time to give your children the security of knowing they have your heart. In so doing you are making it easier for them to freely give their heart back to their Creator, and that is our mission. Catch a vision of how you can reach and hold the heart of your child and build fulfilling family relationships that will be passed on through generations.

The teacher called him “addled.” His mother called him Tommy. The school couldn’t do anything with him. His mother made him a genius. What was the secret behind the success of Thomas Edison, America’s greatest inventor? His mother made learning fun. And you can do the same for your kids!

A message for the graduates and their families. (abbreviated version)

God gives us all certain skills and abilities that we can use to honor and glorify Him. Not everybody will be great at everything, but most of us can be better at something than we are. And, we can be better at a younger age than most of us believe. Join Jason Lindsay, owner of Young Entrepreneurs of North America, as he explores the amazing things that youth are capable of when following Biblical principles - from starting their own business, to preparing for marriage, and more! People of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

In spite of what the culture is telling us, boys and girls are different. Have you ever had a war break out in the middle of a playdate or had a single math lesson take three hours? Then, you’re probably raising boys! If the world seems intent on gender-bending and forcing our sons into a feminized mold, Hal and Melanie, parents of six boys, explain the Biblical way out – and a better way to turn wild little dirt-lovers into strong Christian men!

There are plenty of misconceptions about the role of the father in a home schooling family. Some people think that if he can’t be at home during “school time” he can’t be involved. Others think his job is to take over some of Mom’s chores in order to free her to spend more time with the children. But Scripture gives seven functions of a father in a godly home, and each of these can be applied very practically and powerfully in home education. Enjoy the wisdom and humor of this presentation as Rick answers the question of “What’s A Dad to Do?”

Have you ever had one of those days when it seems your children are constantly misbehaving, yet they really don’t seem to be rebellious? How do we discern the difference between irritating childish behavior and real disobedience? Here’s a sane, practical and proven method (Marilyn has 14 kids!) to turn irritations into solutions!

One of the most important things we can do as homeschooling parents is have set goals and priorities for our home school. It is equally important to have a way to measure how we are doing with those goals — questions we can ask ourselves at the end of the home school day to see if we are keeping those priorities in place and accomplishing the goals that we set out with. Kathie will give you 10 things to ask yourself to see if you are staying on track with your priorities.

How can we be confident that our children are going to be well-educated? This informative and entertaining session with Tom Clark, is based on, and adapted from, the respected work of John Milton Gregory, and will focus on effective strategies of instruction which are understandably simple, educationally sound, and ethically founded.

Homeschooling parents are well aware of the shocking statistics of how many of our kids walk away from the faith and values upon which they were raised. The world around them has embraced moral relativism. If the Biblical values that built western civilization are to be restored, the next generation must be equipped to be counter-culture revolutionaries for truth, justice, and the old American way.

Luke and Trisha take on some of the most common mistakes Christian parents make when it comes to sex education…and how to make changes today.

The high school years are a prime opportunity to equip your teens with skills they will need for future success. If your teen is headed to college, the workforce, or the military, they will benefit from study and time management skills. This session provides parents with ideas to incorporate these skills into high school coursework and lists resources to help teens cultivate these essential skills.

The most important part of an education is the teaching of worthy character. Otherwise, we are only training more competent rebels! Character is the key that opens the door to successful adult living. It is the first thing that wise people examine when evaluating a prospective employee, spouse or friend. That’s why character is the most important subject you will ever teach your children! Marilyn Boyer is mother of 14 homeschooled kids. She'll share how to intentionally teach this most important of all subjects!

Homeschool pioneer Dr. Sandi Queen has been homeschooling her own six children since 1986, and is still homeschooling today. What worked for one child did not necessarily work for another. Are you struggling to “figure out” the best way to teach your child? Come and learn how you can end the struggle!

None of us want our children to turn out to be rebellious, but how can we stop it? Is it normal and necessary? Often, as parents we are unconsciously instilling a rebellious attitude in our little ones that is revealed in their teen years. Biblical answers will be given as to how to deal with rebellion, as well as things to avoid that may cause rebellion.

For kids and parents who simply love words…puns, alliterations, rhymes, tongue-twisters, coining new phrases, etc. This is a workshop for those who might want to spruce up their writing by stretching their minds to create playful, descriptive, and memorable original expressions.

What are we to do when faced with a world telling us it is a certainty that all organisms evolved from primordial ooze? How can our students give an answer when these ideas come up in discussions as they begin to move out from under our teaching and into the world? Amazingly, the more we learn about the creatures on Earth, the more we begin to see the intricacies that do not fit with the idea of evolution, and we are beginning to see clear scientific evidence that points to a Creator. This fast-moving, high-energy workshop will cover several organisms whose features defy evolution. From dolphins and sharks to glow-in-the-dark bacteria, we’ll see how science is discovering that all creatures are far from simple.

As a mother of ten, I am often called a supermom. Fact is; I am a fake! I have yelled, forgotten children, and even fed them cereal for dinner. If I am being REAL, even some of my social media posts are FAKE. In this presentation, I talk honestly about my failures as a mother and the beauty of overcoming those failures with love and forgiveness. You will leave encouraged and inspired to take on motherhood with fierce authenticity!

Marilyn Boyer has taught all fourteen of her children at home, so she has plenty of experience with any age group you can name. But her very favorite age to teach is those eager, curious, exciting, challenging munchkins we call preschoolers. This, Marilyn says is the time when we lay the foundation for greatness by pouring love and acceptance all over them – instead of treating them like a nuisance. Preschoolers aren’t just little interruptions to be kept “occupied” while older siblings study. This season in a child’s life is the time to tap into his huge potential by maximizing his natural love for learning and helping him to see that God is preparing him for a lifetime of important service. Come and learn from Marilyn how to make your little ones a valuable part of the team!

Government, history, economics…these topics usually put students AND parents to sleep, yet they are some of the most important things we’ll teach if we expect the next generation to be good citizens and preserve the republic. In this presentation, Rick shares tips and methods for bringing history and civics to life, keeping it fun, engaging the students, seeking truth, and making the lessons count for generations to come.

Academics are important, but they are not the key to a successful life. When your children grow up and leave your home, you want to be sure that they have learned the life lessons that will serve them well for time and eternity. This workshop discusses the issues that matter most in life and how you can pass them on to your children in the brief time you have with them.

Homeschooling in Michigan: Past, Present, & Future: Michigan has gone from being one of the most restrictive homeschooling states to being one of the most free! Review the unique story of the history of the modern-day homeschooling movement in Michigan, how God has providentially led us to the freedoms we enjoy today, and what we can do to help maintain that freedom.

God has hard-wired us to learn, and the science behind His masterful plan will strengthen your resolve to help your child blaze new neural pathways. Come and get the inside scoop of how the lightbulb of learning goes on, and more importantly, how you can increase “ah ha” moments on Monday. Join Beth Mora, author, blogger, and former Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse in discovering that the new revelations in science are rooted in God’s words of wisdom. This information is perfect for all types of learners including gifted and those with special needs.

The years from 9 to 12 can be some of the most challenging of all. Long before peach fuzz or body changes, you have to cope with distractedness, tears, outbursts of anger and the “Nobody loves me” blues, but somebody’s got to be the adult around here. Learn how to survive, and make the teen years great!

How, when, and why should you teach your kids about sex? This practical presentation is anchored in the Scripture where parents can learn how to use the Bible as a starting point for sex-ed in the home.

The Internet has opened up so many avenues for homeschool moms, giving us access to curricula, educational information and helps, and lots of virtual support. Although this is helpful, whenever we visit a fellow homeschooler online, we often see her at her best: kids working diligently on the couch, elaborate dioramas of epic battles, etc. And we often hear the same thing when we engage with local moms, too. All of this “perfection” can make us feel like we don’t measure up. Comparing hinders us from engaging, so it is crucial for us to get past those paralyzing feelings and begin to support and encourage each other, especially in person. Because the enemy works to divide us, as sisters in Christ, we must come alongside one another for mutual support. It may not take a village to educate your children, but moms need that village of support as the body of Christ.

Why can my academically gifted student calculate geometric ratios but he can’t find his shoes? If can be baffling, can’t it? One moment you’re conversing with your gifted student about the latest research on genetics and the next moment he’s arguing with you that his superman cape can sustain flight because it has super powers. Gifted children often experience what’s called “asynchronous development,” or out of sync development. How do you meet the developmental and academic needs of a gifted learner? Not an easy answer but one that Beth Mora will address in detail from experience with her two academically gifted kids.  

In this session, Dr. Sandi Queen shares how, during her youngest son’s 3 1/2 year battle with cancer, and her own diagnosis two years into her son’s struggle, the Lord allowed her to continue to not only persevere through daily life in a busy household and care for her ailing son, but also write 40 books during this time. No matter what your struggle is – caring for an aging parent, loss of your own health, going through a divorce or other difficult family time, this session discusses practical ways to get through your days, and will be a blessing and a help.

The decision to homeschool your high school student is often surrounded by doubt and worry, and sometimes questioned by bewildered friends and relatives. Do you have questions about how to prepare your teens for the world that awaits them? Join Carol as she shares practical ideas, heart-felt advice, and real-life experiences as a mom who has graduated four of her own.

At 150 years old, the state has covered a lot of ground, both geographically and historically. Nebraska is often seen as flat land without a lot of possibilities, and that is far from the truth. Do you know the treasures your area has to offer? Be taken on a visual tour of the state, get ideas for enjoyable field trips, and learn ways to make any locale more “kid friendly” (including photo scavenger hunts!). Places include indoor museums and outdoor sensations that could only have been created by God.

Child Evangelism Fellowship

What is a heritage and why is it important? Just as Christ made disciples and intentionally trained them to pass His salvation message to future generations, families have this same privilege. As we pass on our vision and passion for sharing the love of Christ with others to our children, future generations will have the possibility of knowing and loving God! We have an incredible and joyous opportunity to build a heritage of faith to last for generations upon generations. Join Carol as she imparts a passion for equipping our children to share the message of Christ into the next generation with a vision for the generations to come. Our children will make their own choices, but we as parents are called to help them build a sturdy foundation to make those choices with God’s will in mind. Learn from practical ideas and examples that will encourage you in your quest to build godly heritage to benefit future generations.

Intensely practical and Bible based, the Nine Practices of The Proactive Parent is designed to give parents both the tools they need and the hope necessary to build a Christ-centered character-driven home environment. The Nine Practices are a great way to revitalize parents in the all important task of parenting. This session will take highlights from the 10- week Parenting Matters small group study. Steve will unwrap the Three Pillars of Parenting, The Motivation Model, The Growth Continuum, The Proactive vs. Reactive Parent, and more.

Graduate Recognition Keynote speech

Husbands and fathers, it is time to love and lead - now. Like Christ loves the church. Wives and mothers, it is time to love your husband as God has declared. Nurture and admonish your children but do not provoke them. Is all of this possible? Yes. But what can you do? Brian and Betsy will give you pointed challenges, down-to-earth examples, laughter, and practical ideas to see your marriage grow from glory to glory in God's good and exciting will. They will help to encourage you with scripture, their experiences, and what they have learned during 34 years of marriage and the upbringing of eight children.

Dr. Ray's major study examines the lives of 7,306 adults from across the United States who were homeschooled. This study and research by others focus on adults' general demographics, attitudes towards their own home-education experience, and success in life. Success is evaluated with respect to civic, social, educational, employment, worldview traits, performance in college, and in occupations. In many ways, they are very "normal." On the other hand, they are remarkably different than the general U.S. population. Generally speaking, the findings of research defuse many of the long-held negative criticisms of those who doubted homeschooling's benefits, whether practiced in the U.S. or in other nations. And the findings will likely be a great encouragement to those parents and advocates of home-based education over the past two decades.

Challenging behavior in children occurs for all types of reasons. Learn how the Bible provides a blueprint to understanding the sources of these behaviors, how to maintain our composure, practical techniques and approaches to effectively manage behaviors, and teach children skills to change for the better.

From where does the homeschooling movement come? What are its precursors and motivators? Key-events? Further, what are the movement's-and your-vision for the future? Dr. Ray will give a very quick history of about 6,000 years of education/schooling then slow down for the modern parent-led home-based education movement. Christians need to take history seriously so that they can move ahead with a strong foundation, vision, effectiveness, and grace and avoiding mistakes and slumps with their families and homeschool organizations in the next decade. Many realize that you really do not know where you are going until you understand where you have come from. Come and be challenged by Dr. Ray about both.

Dads and moms, in all the busyness of life and swell of expert advice, we’ve forgotten the fundamental truths of homeschooling and family. In short, we’ve forgotten why we do what we do. We have plenty of “how tos” but have forgotten the “why tos” and it evidences itself in our lack of joy of homeschooling, family, and parenting.

Good things are hard and hard things are good, and they go hand in hand. Sadly, most people don’t ever experience the good because they can’t handle the hard. They put the hard thing off, hoping it will get easier, or they avoid it all together, and all they end up with is a pile of regrets. Here’s the good news: you can handle the hard. In fact, if you’re faced with two choices, pick ‘HARD.’