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CHEC’s 2007/2008 Speaker List
To help support groups in their efforts to obtain speakers on a wide range of topics, CHEC has compiled this list. Support Groups should contact the speakers to identify those that best fit their needs, schedule and budget. This information is for the use of Colorado (and surrounding states) Support Groups.
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Mike and Debra Burton asouthernbee@yahoo.com 719-749-2166
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM Call for information
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS Willing to travel if time permits and expenses are met.
Mike and Debra Burton specialize in relationship and family seminars. Debra has compiled an international counseling workbook, is a certified character coach, a family conference and marriage seminar speaker, a marriage counselor, a co-founder of D.O.V.E.S. for mothers and daughters, a co-founder of Family Connection Concepts, and has been a homeschool teacher for 15 years. Mike is a family conference and marriage seminar speaker, and a co-founder of Family Connection Concepts.
Debra has been a guest speaker for various groups for several years and is now working on putting her guidebooks on CD’s. She also specializes in counseling women in Colorado Springs. Her passion is empowering mothers with godly tools to fulfill their greatest life work: mentoring their children with joy, wisdom, and determination. “What we, as mothers do now, will echo in eternity!”
Please book these encouraging, positive, live seminars at least one month in advance. They are offered for a very reasonable fee. Guidebooks and CD’s will be available for individual or small group study. Counseling available after seminars for a discounted charge.
Debra has been married to Michael for 30 years. She has home schooled for 16 years. Mike and Debra have 3 children: Kristi, age 19, who is in law school and working on changing the abortion law in the state of Colorado. Daniel, age 18, who possibly will be starting law school in the fall and Joshua, age 16, whom Debra is still home schooling.
Mentoring Training Debra Burton is the founder of “Total Transformation Training” which teaches women how to mentor themselves, their children, and others. Mentoring guidelines that totally change relationships and are especially effective for the home school environment. Also: Mini conferences offered to young ladies (overcoming negative thought patterns and other battles every lady of God must overcome!
Biblical Solutions to Personal and Family Problems Debra is the co-founder of “Family Connection Concepts” which specializes in unlocking the hearts of parents so they can successfully train a generation of children who are set free to serve God.
Ladies Institute for Excellence Debra is the founder of “L.I.F.E.” Training. Be a woman who is a passionate role model by overcoming root issues and emotional pitfalls. Practical steps of action on how to become the mom your children must have! Also, specialized seminar for teen girls.
Absolute Most Effective Training for Godliness Debra’s all-time favorite seminar to teach! This material totally changed her view on positive parenting skills. Not only shows how to value and understand a child at various age levels, but also trains in “heart-to-heart praise” and “character correction” to reduce strife in the home! These steps are used world-wide by thousands, even atheist leaders because it truly works! Based on Christ-like character qualities. Also: Mini-conference offered to young ladies on effective people skills they will use for the rest of their lives.
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Mike Cheney mike@chec.org 303/341-1712
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM None required, but appreciated if available
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS For travel out of the Greater Denver and Front Range area and for overnight stays asks the sponsoring group to pay the cost for his travel
and accommodations plus that of one family member.
Mike and his wife, Roxie, have been blessed with two children, Annie and Corey, whom they have home educated since birth. After leaving the corporate real estate world in 1997, Mike opened a hot dog stand in downtown Denver and, later, a real estate brokerage from their home, allowing him to spend more time with his family. Mike’s passion is to see the Lord turn the hearts of men to their wives and children and to see them freed from the trappings of their occupations which comes at the expense of their families. The Cheneys are blessed to serve CHEC as Conference Coordinators since 2001. Mike has served as CHEC's Operations Director since January 2002.
Talks for Leaders of Support Groups and State Organizations
The Conference is About More Than Homeschooling The movement is bigger than all of us and it belongs to the Lord.
As leaders, I encourage you to think big. Look and think outside the homeschooling box to the WorldView, Relationships and Multi-generational implications. Think of the vision! Each year, in response to the question “What would you like to see more of at next years’ conference?” Colorado conference attendees don’t tell us they want more math and history and language arts and foreign language. The overwhelming majority tell us they want more WorldView, more philosophy, more encouragement, and more about family relationships (marriage and parent/child). They want more VISION!
Inspiring and Shepherding Leaders In Your Organization Be trustworthy, be transparent, be a friend.
By leading from the position of a servant, by forming friendships and making a commitment to develop long lasting relationships, the focus shifts from one of volunteers working to accomplish a task to brothers and sisters in Christ devoted to serving each other in an atmosphere of trust and fellowship and joy. The work gets done without it feeling like a constant uphill climb. The benefits include long standing commitment and wonderful friendships in Christ!
The Nuts and Bolts of Building A Team Of Servant Leaders Paying attention to the little things will keep the big things moving in the right direction.
Dozens of little things that, done consistently and with purpose, will emphasize the on going commitment, provide encouragement throughout the year, develop strong friendships through transparency and hospitality and keep the vision constantly in front of your brothers and sisters.
Broadening The Vision While Sharpening The Focus The conference is a 2-3 day event each year. How is your organization leading, supporting and providing vision to families the other 362 days? Increase your plan of consistent outreach with the goal in mind to increase vision while tending to the day to day- Support Groups, Board of Directors, other events, financial support, on going communication. Remain at the visionary forefront, tend to the details and do not grow weary in well doing
General Talks
The Changing of One Man’s Heart From the corner suite to the street corner- The story of how the Lord used Christian Homeschooling to turn my heart toward my wife and children and to give me an understanding of Deuteronomy 6 and Psalm 78
Men- Leading in The Home and Leading in The Movement A few insights and practical applications I am learning for husbands leading in their homes and leading in the Christian Homeschool movement.
Why and how- Gentlemen, most of us know that it is our responsibility to lead our families including the teaching of our children. The tough part for many of us lies in the order of priority and the very practical question- How do I do this?
Homeschool High School- Step Right Up, Dads How dads can use their own experience for the homeschool high school- creating and teaching courses on finances, stewardship, Bible, business, home and auto maintenance and more. Example course descriptions and practical how-to’s
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Renee Ellison crossover@ellison.net 970/385-1809 http://www.homeschoolhowtos.com/
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM $50 per hour of speaking time
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS Reimbursement of actual travel costs, provision to distribute catalog and
sell products at event
With over 80 homeschool how-to’s, helps, tips, and 25 years of teaching experience, Renée Ellison has been serving the homeschool community for seventeen years -- since 1989. Renée has taught all grade levels, and was an elementary principal, head of a high school English department, was awarded Teacher of the Year, developed and ran gifted and talented programs, and has conducted numerous teacher training workshops. Homeschoolers find Reneé’s workshops meaty and enormously practical. They later mention that they left the conference knowing that’s the reason they came, and they thank her for their renewed vigor and vision.
7 Womanly Secrets of Marital Harmony Learn how a woman’s godly ways can make a world of difference in any home. Discover the secret tools God gave to a woman to promote harmony and achieve good conflict resolution. With divorce at epidemic highs, this workshop is a must. Taught by a seasoned older Titus 2 wife, who began as an apple-pickin’ daughter of Eve!
Emergency Preparedness for Homeschooling Families Practical and prudent details of preparations for difficult times. How to plan physically, spiritually and intellectually to put your family in a posture to profoundly help people.
Homeschooling Burnout: Its causes and cures Are you bogged down? Burned out? Do you have a worn-out spirit? Don't care anymore? Can't face another day? Does the daily grind now supersede your once high-held vision of educating your own children? You're not alone. Many have faced burnout. In fact, educators in general are one of the highest classes of people to experience burnout. We will identify the warning signs, and then consider strategies for pulling you and your children out and up. Dynamite strategies to avoid ever burning out…or ways to crawl out, if you're already there.
How to Avoid the 2 Most Common Pitfalls in Home Education A growing number of homeschoolers are facing one or the other of two extremes. Many are not schooling at all...unschooling...letting lots of other things take priority...not tending to business...finding it difficult to be disciplined in the area of academics. On the other end are some who are making academics their god -- forcing their children to study works by ungodly individuals (just because they’re in vogue) and obsessing about achievement and traditional formal college routes...not caring if these academics are Christian-based or not. The objective of this workshop is to help you find your balance; how to avoid the two major pitfalls of home education.
Come to this workshop to learn how to know if you’re in academic idolatry or falling short in the fundamentals of home education. Find out what the normal pursuit of general knowledge is not good for, and examine the marks of a truly Biblical education.
How to TRAIN Your Children, Not Just DISCIPLINE Them There is almost no subject more important than learning how to train your children. No significant educational effort is possible apart from an established habit of obedience. The matter of turning out respectful individuals who are devoid of ungodly rebellion is more important than covering oceans of academics. Come learn Renée's two-dozen-plus practical, loving, nurturing discipline strategies that work. No ho-hum theory here . . . just teacher-proven, time-tested techniques used with scores of children with happy results.
Just Starting to Homeschool? Let's take a look at what home schooling does for your child spiritually, academically, and socially. Then we can consider what it does for you as the parent – and look at the challenges you can expect to face. This workshop is designed to reinforce your convictions about home schooling--or to develop the courage to start doing it. Spiritual, social, academic, and personal advantages.
"What am I doing? I am laboring on a deep quiet work that will have a big impact in just a few years. I am spending a lot of time now purchasing uncommon heart rest for later. I'm big on delayed gratification and tending to business. I look forward to looking back upon a well-groomed field that yields a burgeoning relational harvest. I'm hurling my small weight vigorously into this project of raising godly seed. I'm sticking my finger in the hole in the dike that threatens my field, and here I take my stand."
Money in Your Pocket Tips for mending the holes and filling your wallet! ... for the fastest route to getting out of debt – even house mortgage debt! Powerful and do-able strategies to start gaining money instead of losing it. You’ll be so glad!
In this workshop, Renée focuses on the EMOTIONS of managing money: the rewards for yourself, the gumption it takes to get there, and how to manage your thoughts in the process. It is our hope that these principles laid out with this sort of emotional pungency will be the boot you need to get you across the line from financial chaos to solvency, and that they will, in fact, move you from having a hole in your pocket to having a full wallet.
No Nonsense Nutrition and Health: Turbo-charged practical helps How would your car perform with ice cream in its gas tank? Give your loved ones the best fuel possible. Optimum nutrition can correct misfiring in the brain that leads to hyperactivity or sluggish mental response. Learn nuggets of nutritional know-how that'll make your family healthier.
Many moms simply don't have the time to read the hundreds of health books out there to find out how to feed their families optimally. Yet, an entire family's health can hang on the choices that mom makes in the kitchen. The more knowledgeable she is about food, the better they feel. We have tried to package the best of the ideas about nutrition in this workshop, so moms can quickly learn some key facts about food that make such a dramatic health difference. You can quickly learn the key facts about food that make such a dramatic health difference. This workshop will help you as a busy mom feed your family much better than you ever thought possible.
The Story of J. S. Bach The inspiring story, complete with little known facts and musical samples, of one of the godliest heroes of all time: Johann Sebastian Bach. The father of twenty children, he was a devoted family man, teaching his children and composing music for them which millions of classical music lovers enjoy today. Workshop participants will fall more in love with Bach's music as they learn more about his life and his passion: to do all for the glory of God. Bach's Passion, the companion historical novel by Ruth Ann Ridley, was published in 1999 and republished in 2003 as Sebastian.
Teaching the Resistant Student: Diagnosis and Strategies Often, a child will seem quite agreeable until you try to teach him or her something. Then the body language kicks up, sour expressions emerge, stubbornness sets in, and a general pathetic weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth begins. Chronic resistance to academics means something. We need to get at root causes in order to turn this daily duel into progressive energy, which will result in a pleasant lifetime eagerness to learn.
There are basically eight reasons for academic resistance. If you can successfully target which one you're dealing with, you'll be able to achieve some pretty wonderful results. You'll have the joy of seeing the resistance melt away.
Top-Notch Home Management Strategies Super tips you wish a whole string of grandmothers had passed down to you. Scores of techniques to make getting through your school day and home life easier, more productive, and happier. Save time. Save energy. Save stress!
Twelve Optimum Ways to Trigger the Brain with any subject matter! Discover the fastest route and the shortest distance to mastering new information in any subject matter. Innovative, jaw-dropping methods useful for any home educator. This is what you wish you’d learned when you were a student! Tips that education majors WISH their college courses would have taught them but didn’t.
This workshop examines how we can cooperate with all of the natural ways in which the brain works (Renee has identified two dozen of them), to turn our job of teaching from drudgery to delight. We will be working with God as we fine-tune our methods to follow in the patterns He has already established.
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Richard and Debbie
Lawrence info@rdeducation.com 970/686-5744
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM None, but need to have travel expenses covered if possible
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS No restrictions if travel costs are covered and our schedule permits.
Would request an opportunity to sell our science materials if appropriate.
Richard and Debbie Lawrence are the authors of the God's Design Science series published by Answers in Genesis. They have written 11 books for grades 1-8 covering all major areas of science from a creation perspective. Richard has been a board member for Christian Homes Educators of Colorado (CHEC) since 2002. The Lawrences have four children ages 14 -20, whom they have homeschooled for the past 12 years. In addition to writing science books, Richard, Debbie and their children have been active in the homeschool speech and debate league and their local homeschool support group.
Does Science Contradict the Bible? Let's examine some of the common arguments against biblical creation and see what creation scientists have to say. You will be amazed and assured that what the Bible says is true and is not contradicted by what scientists have discovered.
Do I Have to Do Hands-on Science? Many mothers moan at the idea of hands-on science because it is messy, time consuming, and usually doesn't work anyway. Well, we will show you how you can teach science in a fun way without wrecking your house.
Why Do a Homeschool Co-op? You have heard the term, but may be asking yourself, what is a co-op and why should I start one? Debbie Lawrence, homeschooling mother of 4 will discuss the joys and tribulations of homeschool co-ops and help you decide if a co-op is right for you.
Homeschooling for the Long Haul We will discuss our decision to homeschool through high school and how we found the necessary resources for high school. We believe you will be encouraged to stick with it for the long haul.
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Steve, Vicki and Amanda
Lewis expressivespirit@msn.com 303/840-1623
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM A love offering to help defray expenses for handouts and travel is appreciated. The amount should be determined by prayer and the leading of the Lord.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS Denver Metro area and Colorado Front Range. If traveling more than 100 miles, mileage, meals and overnight accommodations would need to be covered.
Steve and Vicki are blessed with four children whom they homeschooled for twenty years, from 1986 to 2006. Steve has a master's degree in both education and theology, while Vicki has a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in education. These earthly credentials are not as important as what the Lord has diligently taught them about a godly education. Vicki has been a support group leader; helped to write the CHEC Comprehensive Guidebook; and has presented at both support groups and the state conferences since 1994 They love equipping parents to teach their children from a Christian perspective with confidence.
Beautiful Girlhood: Teaching a Mother-Daughter Class Vicki and her grown daughter, Amanda, have taught mothers and daughters the ideas shared in Karen Andreola’s book “Beautiful Girlhood.” This workshop will explain how to organize a 13-week class for mothers and daughters aged nine to twelve. Character, modesty, and maintaining a sweet spirit are emphasized. Ideas are given to strengthen the bond between mothers and young daughters, how to plan special times together, and how to discuss God’s plan for young ladies.
Being a Professional Mother: Encouragement for Stay-at-Home Moms How do I become the mother I want to be? Being a mother is an important and precious job in God’s eyes and deserves the same amount of time, effort, and prayer that you might expend on a career outside your home. Using the analogy of making a quilt, Vicki shares about making the decision to be a good mother and seeing that “project” through to the end with grace and hope.
Between Modesty and Marriage: Training Our Sons and Daughters in Purity A six-hour seminar given by Steve and Vicki Lewis and their 25-year-old daughter, Amanda. Purity is not just an issue for the teen years, but an area of discussion that needs to be a constant thread throughout the child-raising years, from teaching a little girl to sit modestly in a dress, to fostering ladylike qualities in our daughters and gentlemanly qualities in our sons, to discussing the proper amount of reserve that must be shown among Christian young men and young women. If an attitude of emotional and physical purity, which protects both our daughters and our sons for their future spouses, has been taught since childhood, then a large majority of the damaged emotions, disputes between parents and children, and divorces that are so prevalent in the world today will be less likely to occur.
Celebrating a Messianic Passover as a Christian Family For many years, my family has celebrated a Messianic Passover as a family and with friends. The richness of the symbols for Christians has been a precious object lesson for both parents and children alike! Now when reading any Scripture regarding the Passover, specific stories, tastes, smells, and experiences come to everyone’s mind. This was one of the ways God chose to teach His people. You can teach your children in the same fashion.
Character Matters: How to Teach Character Qualities to Your Children Vicki suggests specific character qualities for parents to teach their children, and how to spend a minimum of one month on each quality. Resources like hymns, definitions, Bible stories, biographies, and books will be shared.
A Christ-centered Education Christian home educators need to teach everything from a distinctively Christian perspective because Christian education and secular education are fundamentally different. So, what is a definition for a Christ-centered education and what would such an education look like? Vicki will share a series of verbal "snapshots" about seeing God in various school subjects, for example, history, chemistry, optics, anthropology, and mathematics. Don’t let these topics scare you! This presentation is meant for all homeschooling parents--not just those with secondary-aged students.
Christ-centered Holidays, Part 1: Fall and Winter As Christian families, we can celebrate “holy days” with Christ as the emphasis. This presentation includes how to invite Christ into the fall and winter holidays of Reformation Day (instead of Halloween), Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Christ-centered Holidays, Part 2: Spring and Summer As Christian families, we can celebrate “holy days” with Christ as the emphasis. This presentation includes how to invite Christ into the spring and summer holidays of Valentine's Day, Easter, and the Fourth of July.
Discipling Our Children in the Home It is incumbent on us as Christian parents to pass the baton of faith diligently to our children. Are there ways other than purchased Bible curriculum to grow our children up in the Christian faith? Yes, says Vicki and she will share ways to help our children mature in their faith.
An Encouraging Curriculum for Younger Women from Titus 2:3-5 Study the concepts and words from the Greek to understand what a younger woman should look for in an older, mentoring woman and how she can be a godly woman, wife, and mother--all in ways that will bring glory to our Lord Jesus Christ. This is a three-hour seminar.
Faith of Our Fathers: What You Should Know About the History of Our Christian Faith What important events of Christian history should you consider incorporating in your history curriculum? Why was the Reformation significant? What was it that Protestants “protested” anyway?
From My Heart to Yours: 25 Tips from a Veteran An informal sharing of tips that have worked over our 20 years of home schooling; the most important things we have done; what we should have left out; our favorite resources; plus time to answer any questions from the audience.
Getting Started Home Schooling, Parts 1 and 2 Now that you have decided to plunge into the world of homeschooling, where do you start? Vicki will share ten steps to beginning your journey: knowing why you are doing this, knowing the Colorado law, getting support, what to do if you are removing your child from a conventional school, choosing curriculum materials, and establishing calendars and schedules are a few of the topics she will cover. Vicki gives information here that she and her husband share in the CHEC Introductory Homeschooling Seminars.
Heroes: Spiderman vs. Great Christian Heroes In this age of multiple "superheroes," it is much better to focus on Christian heroes of the faith whose power comes from God. Then both our children and we will have lots of godly role models to emulate. Replace the typical superpowers to which our young people are exposed with true facts and stories of fascinating Christian heroes. Vicki will share suggestions on who of that great cloud of witnesses you should introduce your children to, what qualities and life experiences are important to communicate, and some ways to incorporate this kind of study into your home school.
Home Schooling From a Graduate's Perspective Amanda Lewis speaks to the benefits of home schooling from a personal viewpoint. Home schooling is setting a higher standard for young people in both academics and in discipleship. Graduates from home schooling are not social rejects, but rather young adults more than adequately prepared for life--they are mature without being worldly-wise. (Given by our daughter, Amanda, 25, who was graduated from high school in 1999, after being homeschooled since kindergarten. She was graduated from Louisiana Baptist University in 2005 and is currently working full-time for Summit Ministries in Manitou Springs, Colorado)
Transformed: Studying Your Bible for Real Life Change This workshop prepares mothers with the tools to know how to study for themselves and also how to teach their children to study the Bible. Learn how to use the inductive study method, free Bible software, and tools like a concordance and an expository dictionary to motivate learning.
Kissing Frogs: Waiting on God for Romance Amanda Lewis shares insights about wanting God's best for marriage. What should a young woman be doing while she waits? Preparation deals with the practical aspects of running a home, filling a hope chest, choosing both emotional and physical purity, learning how to evaluate character in others, and developing personal character. (For a brief bio, see above.)
Let the Little Children Come to Me: Equipping Parents to Lead Their Children to Christ One of the primary goals with our children, as Christian parents, is to encourage them, in God’s timing, to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Questions that will be covered deal with questions such as: How can parents lay a foundation for this conversion? How young is too young? What materials are available that will assist a parent in accomplishing this goal?
Let Us Not Be Weary in Well-Doing Explore Galatians 6:9 with me to find out how you can prevent throwing in the towel regarding home schooling because of weariness. You can ask God to give you a sustaining spiritual vision for Biblical education, for the importance of motherhood, and for the potential of passing on a spiritual heritage to future generations. Home schooling is much more important and far-reaching than just what happens around your dining room table any given morning!
Literature: A Tool for Teaching Discernment T. S. Eliot said, "It is our business, as readers of literature, to know what we like. It is our business, as Christians..to know what we ought to like." So, which books should we be reading -- or not reading -- as Christians? How can you tell the difference? This presentation tackles the issue of what kind of reading do we want to encourage as Christian homeschooling parents. What is meant by literary excellence and moral excellence in reading material? How should parents handle objectionable elements in literature?
Peacemaking vs. Sibling Rivalry: Even a Child is Known By His Actions When we experience conflicts in our families between siblings, is this just a “phase”? Should the children just be sent out of the room to work out the problem? I share what God has been teaching my family about peacemaking (based on what I learned from Ken Sande's "The Young Peacemaker"); that both behavior and attitude must be dealt with by the parent; that all discipline must involve the child’s heart; and that sibling rivalry is not being “just kids,” but is sin within the body of Christ and has far-reaching implications.
Recognizing and Preventing Burnout A talk about what burnout is and how that relates to stress and an overloaded life--something with which both homeschooling and non-homeschooling families may struggle. Ideas are given for preventing burnout by setting healthy boundaries, creating margin in your life, getting sufficient rest, and focusing on priorities. Ways to stay encouraged in this task are emphasized
Socialization vs. Peer Pressure: Opposite Sides of the Same Coin Many positive characteristics are implied by the term "socialization," while many negative qualities are assumed for the term "peer pressure." Which is it that we, as parents, really desire for our children? What wisdom can be gained from Proverbs 13:20 and the companionship principle regarding this issue?
Transformed: Studying Your Bible for Real Life Change This workshop prepares mothers with the tools to know how to study for themselves and also how to teach their children to study the Bible. Learn how to use the inductive study method, free Bible software, and tools like a concordance and an expository dictionary to motivate learning.
Why Home School Through High School? Having begun home schooling in the elementary years, parents should consider finishing what they started by home schooling on the secondary level. I will share how God has faithfully provided answers to questions like: What about biology lab? What if I can’t teach algebra? Will my child horribly miss prom? What about a cap and gown and an actual graduation ceremony? This presentation is meant for parents of children aged twelve years and older.
Writing with a Worldview What does it mean to be a Christian writer? How can we as believers incorporate our worldview into the stories that we tell? In this talk, Amanda Lewis will take a look at the challenge of writing for the glory of God with clarity, purpose, and skill. (For a brief bio, see #15 above.)
Topics Suitable for Home School Support Group Leaders
Gently Leading Those Who Have Young: Shepherding a Christian Home School Support Group Being the leader of a support group can be tiring, lonely, and overwhelming From Isaiah 40:11, find out how God can gently lead you and your family while you gently lead the families in your support group. Come and be refreshed!
Is This a Coffee-klatch or What? How is a Christian home school support group different from just any other group? This presentation is for support group leaders, so come and renew or develop a spiritual vision for your group. Are you just going to gather to drink coffee and fellowship or is there a higher purpose for gathering together for support, information, and encouragement?
Organized to Serve This is a talk for support group leaders giving ideas on organizing resources and papers to best serve your support group. I will share specific and practical ideas about how to develop a resource library, a resource box, an agenda for welcoming newcomers into the group, as well as some topics for meetings, and ideas for what to include in newsletters.
Vicki loves to research and put together new presentations. If there is a parenting, marriage, Christian woman, or homeschooling topic you would like covered, we can discuss the feasibility of doing that.
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Eric Smith eric@summit.org 719/685-2858 http://www.summit.org
719/685-9103
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM None expected, but will accept as the Lord leads you.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS No travel limits as long as travel expenses are covered (mileage, flight, meals, lodging, etc.)
Eric graduated from Miami University in 1996 with a degree in accountancy. After four years in an accounting field, he discovered Summit Ministries and became involved with its Summer Conferences. Now working full-time with Summit, Eric directs the summer staff and speaks regularly at the Summer Leadership Conferences. He is also pursuing a Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary. Eric and his family live in Pagosa Springs, Colorado during September, October, and November. The rest of the year they are in Manitou Springs, CO (near Colorado Springs).
Eric directs Summit Ministries’ three-month worldview study program called Summit Semester. This academic retreat is designed to prepare Christian students for the challenges of college life. Eric also directs Summit’s two-week Summer Student Conference held each year at Cedarville University in Ohio, and speaks regularly at the Student Conferences in Colorado. He is set to complete his Masters of Divinity from Denver Seminary in the spring of 2008. Eric and his wife Sara, along with their daughter Elsie and newborn son Alden live in Manitou Springs, Colorado.
Worldviews
What’s a Worldview? Ideas have consequences. This session introduces students to the world of ideas. We begin by defining worldview, showing that everyone has a worldview, and that our worldview speaks to every area of life. Students will learn that Biblical Christianity is a comprehensive worldview and as current as today’s newspaper. (One or two 50-minute presentations)
Tearing Down the Wall There is a wall of separation between the sacred and secular areas of life. But where did this wall come from? Based on what we know of the world and of the human spirit, is this uncompromising split the most accurate way of approaching the world? In this session we will discuss how the Bible deals with the big picture. Students will see how every discipline they study can be a ministry; as an engineer, farmer, police officer, or homemaker. Students will also be challenged to change culture rather than simply criticize it. (Two 50-minute presentations.)
The Challenge of College: Why Some Students Walk Away From the Faith Studies regularly show that somewhere around 50% of born-again students no longer claim that title by the end of their college career. This talk examines reasons why that is, and more importantly, what parents can do to prepare their children for life college and university years. (One or two 50-minute presentations)
Religion/Bible/Philosophy
Critical Thinking: Thinking Clearly in a Confused Culture Christians are commanded to love God with all their minds. This session looks at how we can do that. It is an introduction to logic with a focus on how to recognize and overcome informal fallacies.
Is The Bible Trustworthy? The Bible is the foundation of our faith, but how do we know it is true? This session looks at the integrity of the Bible through the disciplines of literary criticism and archeology. Students will come away with a good idea of what inspiration means and motivation to further study this ancient, God-inspired text.
Who Put the Bible Together? Prominent misconceptions tell unwary readers that the Bible as we know it was written and compiled in 325 AD by men who wanted to unite the crumbling Roman Empire under a common religion. Is that correct? Students will receive a lesson in church history and gain confidence in the Bible as God's word to us.
A Spiritual Buffett: Does it matter what you believe? Don’t all religions lead to the same God? NO! But how do we communicate that intelligently and graciously to others (and to ourselves!)? By looking at the philosophy behind religious pluralism as well as what the Bible says about the issue. Students will be better equipped to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those confused by our pluralistic society.
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Monte and Karey
Swan magmachem@aol.com 303/670-9673
monte@swan.net or karey@swan.net
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM Flexible, let’s talk.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS Flexible, let’s talk.
Monte is an international research geologist and an adjunct Professor of Geology and Sociology. He has published numerous professional papers and articles in popular magazines. When it comes to developing a vision for teaching science, nothing compares to being inspired and taught by someone who is working passionately on the scientific frontier reading pages of God's first edition that have never been read. His book Romancing Your Child’s Heart and companion Romancing Your Child’s Heart Strategy Manual presents the overlooked key of “romance” to the Biblical model of parenting. The book has been featured on many national radio and TV programs such as Focus on the Family and Family Life Today. Monte belongs to the Ambassadors Speakers Bureau.
Karey has spoken nationally at conferences, churches, camps, and retreats and produced her own radio spot—“The Heart of the Home.” She brings a fresh new family and parenting vision for mothers through her popular book Hearth & Home—Recipes for Life. The goal of this book is to shift the perspective of women from being known by what they do to being known by who they are. It describes the life most women would love to live by challenging them to move beyond maintenance to creativity. Her most recent project is the overlooked spiritual discipline of celebration. Karey loves include: heirloom art, homemaking, needle felting, living books, and theology.
Monte and Karey Swan were married in 1975. They decided to home school in the late 1970’s as they traveled and geologically explored the Western U.S. with their young children before settling in the Colorado Mountains in 1983. They have just completed our 30th year of homeschooling and their last child has graduated! All their children are their best friends, strong Christians, and educated in a very unique way--their philosophy has been 'First-Hand Living'. Common sense, wisdom, balance, broad knowledge base, stability, creativity, with a perspectivalistic view of Truth are some words that describe their children. They have a unique encouraging message based on their many years of home school experience and philosophy of hands-on living. Their ministry includes: formal presentations, workshops, life coaching, demonstrations, teaching, and inspirational concerts.
Romancing Your Child’s Heart—the Vision We’ve all heard of sincere Christian home school parents who have lost their child’s heart. While they were guarding the front door Satan was sneaking in the back. The key to winning our child’s heart is the overlooked Biblical concept of romance. This presentation is designed to bring a vision to parents for developing a strategy to win their child’s heart for Christ. The presentation is based on Monte’s new book Romancing Your Child’s Heart and companion manual endorsed by Focus on the Family and highly recommended by parenting experts such as Dennis Rainey and Ted Tripp.
Romancing Your Child’s Heart—the Strategy We all know that the highest goal of a home school parent is to win their child’s heart. But how is it done? If we make Christ our model, we automatically begin to parent from the inside out instead of the outside in. This presentation is practical and designed to help parents craft a strategy to out-romance the competition and is based on Monte’s new book and manual featured on national radio broadcasts such as Focus on the Family, Family Life Today and Moody’s Broadcasting Network.
Dusting for Fingerprints God intentionally left his fingerprints all over Creation, not to prove He exists—that’s self evident, but for us to get to know the creative passion of His heart and to deepen our love for Him. This may be the most overlooked aspect of science for the homeschooler. Monte Swan, who is the president of MagmaChem Associates and a professor of geology, will give you a peek into the enchanting world of real geology and inspire you to use the Creation to romance your child’s heart to God. Creation is a book that is read with the five senses. Children naturally read the story God has written in the rocks as they engage in first-hand exploration.
Home Making Beyond Maintenance Karey reminds women of a place they know exists but haven’t yet found. She gently lays our dreams before us and helps us find our way home—to live beyond “maintenance” in the creative image of God embracing the ordinary days with the interruptions as well as surprises. It is in these—the improvising; the creativity; the extraordinary from the ordinary; the sanctity of the everyday—that can make a home more than livable and approachable but irresistibly beautiful. This is foundational to a Christian home school.
Cycle of Celebrations—Remembering God in Our Midst Day after day living can be pretty ordinary. Our home school can become focused on the facts and information of academic study. Imagine the possibilities of the ordinary broken up with anticipation of something larger bringing more meaning throughout the year. God is in our midst and asks us to remember and celebrate. This is an overlooked spiritual discipline—a “curriculum” of faith designed to lift our eyes out of our textbooks and the random days of our lives to the drama of God’s Larger Story.
Home Schooling with Living Books Living books contain story—the vehicle that carries the cargo of truth past the mind to the heart. The Gospel in the stories woos and draws our children to God. Living books come in the form of classics, biographies, fiction, and historical novels. Textbooks are primarily condensed versions of living books with the story removed leaving collections of facts that provide information primarily for the mind. For many years highly successful homeschoolers have used living books as their primary “curriculum”. “You may have tangible wealth untold; Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold. Richer than I you can never be–I had a mother who read to me.” Strickland Gillilan
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Kevin Swanson kevinswanson@peoplepc.com 720/842-4852 http://www.chec.org
877/842-2432
SPEAKING FEE OR HONORARIUM Call or email for information.
TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS Call or email for information.
Homeschooled himself in the 1960's and 70's, Kevin Swanson and his wife, Brenda, are now homeschooling their five children. Since graduating from his homeschool and then serving as student body president of a large west coast university, he has gone on to other leadership positions in corporate management, church, and other non-profits. Kevin has 35 years of experience in the homeschooling movement and has served as Executive Director of Christian Home Educators of Colorado for the last eight years. As a father who wants to leave a godly heritage for his own five children, Kevin’s passion is to strengthen and encourage the homeschooling movement all over the world, and to cast a vision for generations to come.
Kevin also serves as the Director of Generations with Vision – a ministry dedicated to sharing a message of “truth and relationships in a lost and lonely world.” Kevin Swanson ministers to thousands of families by writing articles and books, and speaking at homeschooling and worldview events across the country. For the last 3 years Kevin has hosted a daily radio program - Generations. Generations is a homeschool and Biblical worldview program aired on AM and FM stations and web radio, reaching families in more than 60 countries around the world. Kevin’s most recent book – Upgrade -10 Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child – was just released in 2006 and has already sold out of its first printing. Serving as a resource on home education, he has been interviewed on hundreds of media outlets, including Dr. James’ Dobson’s Focus on the Family and the Fox News Network.
Kevin Swanson may be contacted through his website at www.kevinswanson.com or via email at kevin@kevinswanson.com.
Homeschool Vision
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