Convention Speakers & Workshops

Let’s face it! Most men today are yellow-bellied, lilly-livered weenies. They may wear tall Stetsons, drive fast cars, bungee jump from bridges, collect souped-up power tools, and carry big black Bibles, but they’re weenies. They flex their biceps and proclaim their faith, but when the economy collapses, the newest pandemic hits the scene, a family crisis arises, or the going gets tough… they play it safe. Truth is: God wants your sons to leave the heavily-populated, safe waters and live dangerously. He wants your sons to trust dangerously, work dangerously, and love dangerously. But, that doesn’t come naturally. Everyone around them, from the talking heads in the media to pastors in the pulpit, keep repeating, “Play it safe.” Here’s a secret: dangerous living leads to joy, family happiness, and real success while safe living results in worry, family failure, and heartache. So join Todd as he encourages you and your sons to GET DANGEROUS.

When you’re choosing what to teach your daughter it really boils down to what matters and what doesn’t… or what your daughter needs to know to live happily ever after. The only problem is that everyone seems to have a different answer. Experts stand on every street corner shouting something different, “They need to know state history… master advanced algebra… and speak a foreign language.” It’s enough to give a well-meaning parent a headache and an ulcer. After all, what if you forget to teach her something important, dooming your daughter to a life of misery and failure? Problem solved. During this hour, Todd will cut away the tall grass and share with you the top 10 Things You Need to Teach Your Daughter before She Graduates that guarantees happiness and success.

Marriage is hard… in fact, it’s real hard! But when it is right and good, it can withstand anything. It doesn’t matter what the economy does, the status of your bank account, the condition of your home or vehicles, or what your children dish out… because when a husband and wife are right, they’re unbeatable. On the flip side, when a husband and wife feel distant or apathetic, it only takes the slightest breeze to ruffle a bunch of feathers. The truth is a mediocre marriage sucks the joy right out of life and your homeschool. The economy can swing up, your checking account can be healthy, your home and vehicles can purr like kittens, and the kids can behave like angels, and life still… stinks. That’s because marriage matters. Join Todd Wilson, The Familyman, for a time of laughter and encouragement as he shares real life stories, problems, and frustrations along with practical, simple solutions to having a marriage that can‘t be beat!

The holy grail of parenting is “what to do to have good godly kids.” Unfortunately God didn’t leave a complete guideline for our use. He did leave us some examples of the good, bad, and ugly of parenting, and plenty of principles… but we’re still left… wanting more. Enter the flim-flam man who fills in all the gaps and begins to pile on rules, principles, and things to avoid. The problem is that it sometimes has adverse effects and leaves behind hurt and wayward children. So… some parents swing the other way and claim and proclaim the message of Freedom to equally dire results. While I would never be so bold as to say, “Here’s how to parent and what to do to have successful children.” I will say there seems to a sweet-spot in parenting that avoids the extremes but not the responsibility. Join me as we get down and dirty in the trenches of parenting and discuss a method of parenting that is IRRESISTIBLE.

What are the factors that matter most in the homeschool? What are the principles that really make it work? This is a basic introductory talk about homeschooling, based on Kevin’s 45 years of experience in the movement. This is based on Kevin Swanson’s book, “Upgrade, the Ten Secrets to the Best Education for Your Child.”

Kevin Swanson obtained his Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering, but he would be the first to tell you he didn’t like science very much (as taught in secular college). Here, he expresses his passion to making mathematics and science meaningful to our children by bringing it back into God-centered view. Why do we study science? And how can we make it 10,000 times more thrilling for our children, than the average teacher in the universities? It can be done!

Young people are less prepared for life, family, and work than they ever have been. The situation could not be more dire. Yet, the revival of mentorship and discipleship has been a saving grace for the day. There is nothing better for spiritual preparation and economic preparation for the marketplace. Kevin Swanson will speak of leveraging a work opportunity into a mentorship. He will speak from 12 years of experience with mentoring, and what makes it so successful.

Character training is a special focus for every parent. It’s every day, all day. But, it can be done badly. Always careful not to present a one-size-fits-all treatment of this subject, Kevin Swanson lists the two ditches on either side of the road, and encourages parents to stick to biblical principle. Above all, our training will remind ourselves and our children every day how much we need Jesus.

As the author of the groundbreaking book, “Apostate — the Men Who Destroyed the Christian West,” Kevin Swanson details the ideas, the philosophers, the classical authors, and the popular cultural icons that made the post-modern man what he is. Many Christian kids growing up in Christian homes are destroyed by philosophies and vain deceit, because their parents did not understand the times. This is a critical presentation for anybody who wants to know how we got to where we are today, and how modern man thinks.

Teaching literature is not for the faint of heart, or for those who are easily taken by bad worldviews. Many of our homeschooled children like to read and they may become some of the next great leaders, unless they are corrupted by the wrong worldviews (which happens more often than not). As the developer of the Christian Curriculum Project, Kevin Swanson invites parents and students to discernment on both the content and method of the great literary work.

Our children are bombarded with sensuality from every corner of the globe. The good news is that they can rise above the Pied Piper of cultural voices and experience the freedom and blessing that comes from a life of purity.

God loves cheerful givers! Unfortunately, many Christians limit this truth to finances. In this session we will learn how to teach our children to be big-minded thinkers in a very small-minded world.

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Now that you have decided to homeschool, are you wondering how you will keep track of everything and where to find the things you need? Maybe you have been homeschooling awhile and are having a hard time staying on top of things. Are you needing some fresh ideas on organizational tips? Arkasia is a veteran homeschool mom of six for 26 years, who owns an hvac buisness with her husband for the past eight years. She has some tried and true tips and organizational skills that will help you stay on top of homeschooling, household needs, business needs, or volunteering organizations you are a part of. In this workshop she will share practical tips and tools that have kept her sane over the years. Business owner, homeschooler, or stay at home mom you will walk away with tangible ways to get started and to stay organized.

Dive in with Mrs. Duffer and explore the joys of choral singing. In this three hour class we will work on basic singing techniques, music fundamentals, and prepare a piece to perform at the closing session. This class is designed for all levels of music experience. Come experience the beauty and joy that music-making brings. What are you waiting for? Let's take your singing to the next level! $20 per student | ages 10-18

Brian will give many examples of God’s provision during the founding of America. From drought ending rain, to protection during war, God’s hand will be traced through America’s history. He will then show how we today need to continue to rely on His provision.

If the presentation your kids heard yon Friday sparked your interest, then you want to come hear Brian. This is the expanded presentation designed for teen and adults. Brian will go beyond showing how God created the various nations by giving each family group their own unique language. He will show how archaeology and anthropology supports the Biblical history of the nations.

If your kids like to make paper snowflakes, they will love this class. We will make trees, bushes, grass, and of couse standup dinos while making their own a dino diorama. The steps they learn, and skills they acquire will carry over to projects and crafts at home. There is a limit to 25 students age 10 to teens. The cost is $20 and you must preregister. This will only be offered Friday morning.

The name says it all. Kids will have fun learning all about fossils while participating in this song filled presentation. But, they will not only learn how fossils were made during the Flood, they will get to handle dinosaur bones, petrified wood, and sea shells found on mountain tops. Although this class has been especially designed for 5 – 12 year olds, it offers adults the joy of learning too and they are welcome to sit in.

This one is for the kids. They will learn how God created the various nations by giving each family group their own unique language. We will see how each group traveled out into the unknown bringing animals, seeds, and all else they would need to begin civilizations. And we will see how archaeology and anthropology supports the Biblical history of the nations.

Wherever your child is at academically, the goal should be another step forward. Autistic, Dyslexic, ADHD… whatever the label, don’t give up on teaching your child. Learn to cheer them on with “You can do this, I will help you.” I will show you how; you can help them. Orton-Gillingham method of phonics is great – except it lacks the pictures which make learning so doable. So I’ve added pictures to the sounds and rhymes to the rules. For math I will show you how to take the count out of math by using patterns and manipulatives – for addition to division. My heart goes out to the kids who struggle and the parents who try so hard to teach them. I have walked in your shoes. I will be giving away 10 of my Get it? Got it. Great! math DVD’s during the session. If your child does not struggle, but is in kindergarten – 2nd grade get ahead of the game by learning the methods which will make learning math and reading so much easier. Using pictures, patterns, and baby steps; your child can learn to read and do math. Although I have resources you can buy, I will show you how to make your own.

Turtles, and lizards and snakes! Oh My! Join our Naturalists as we learn about the scaley friends that call Illinois home! We will learn who lives here, where they live, and what makes them so unique.

Come paint and learn collage with Leonardo DaVinci, understand his life in the early 1500s, and his tales of the 16 years it took him to paint the world’s most famous painting Mona Lisa. Cost: $20 per student | 20 student max

Let’s learn and celebrate our 250th anniversary as we paint this patriotic scene, featuring George Washington as our teacher. Cost: $20 per student | 20 student max

It doesn’t require a degree in Greek, a college degree, or years of studying to teach your children the Bible. Dara will share creative ideas for teaching all ages the wisdom of God’s word. She will cover teaching Bible stories, Bible memorization, prayer, Biblical discipline, family devotions, and service. Learning to commune with God through every part of every day is critical. Hear how you can bring God into every part of your day.

This is our personal story of raising five boys with various needs. Let Dara encourage you that God has a purpose for your child just like he/she is and that God did not make a mistake! She will cover how to accept each child and their individual challenges and how to help them reach their potential. Each is on a very unique path, but all are becoming the men that God created them to be.

You've raised them to know right from wrong; schooled them through history, math, reading, and science; driven them to games; fed them, wiped their tears, and showed them the way while introducing them to Jesus. Now it is time for them to fly on their own. How do you let them go? Are they ready? Are you ready? Dara will discuss life management and relationships skills for your kids and letting go skills for you.

Textbooks have their place, but all textbooks and no fun makes a lot of homeschoolers want to throw schooling out the window! Dara will share ideas about how to carry on the spontaneity of homeschooling fun through the high school years without compromising on the necessary knowledge needed to get into college. She will inspire your creative genius to think outside the textbook box and enjoy the last few years your teenager will be home.

Success is not high scores, perfect children, or a clean house! Success is about obedience. What is it God is calling your family to be about? What are your goals and desires for yourself, your marriage, and your children? Do they line up with God’s word? Dara will share how to be a success in homeschooling your children in spite of shortcomings, feelings of inadequacy, life’s interruptions, and the world’s influence.

What does a godly child look like compared to a perfect child? Perfection leads to rebellion and low self-esteem; godliness leads to grace, joy, and freedom. How did God raise His kids? First came law, then grace. We will walk through aspects of the law that can be incorporated into our family (written out, concise expectations, rewards and punishments, etc.), and then we give ideas how to move your child to grace as they mature and grow.

Has hurry sickness hit your home? Is living in survival mode your new normal? Or perhaps an underlying anxiety or sense of unease has settled into your heart—and you don’t even know why. In today’s rapidly changing world, a positive, healthy mind doesn’t happen by default. God calls us to direct our minds in a way that promotes health and glorifies Him, enabling us to be life-givers rather than life-takers. In this workshop you will receive practical tools—and permission—to nurture your own mental health, so you can enjoy happy, healthy interactions in your home.

Have Mom’s smiles gone missing? Has she become a machine, going through the motions of endless tasks? Is she tired before she even gets out of bed in the morning? In this session, Dawn shares her personal journey through a difficult season and offers hope and help to restore worn-out moms to a flourishing life. We will explore underlying reasons for overwhelm, discuss practical strategies for creating a sustainable lifestyle, and learn how to work in the strength of the Lord.

When you’re in the trenches, it’s hard to keep perspective. Are you wondering how to sort through all the voices telling you what your children need, what to do with twelve-year-old boys, or if homeschooling is even worth it? In this workshop Dawn candidly shares lessons she learned while homeschooling in season and out of season, testifying of God’s unwavering faithfulness. Bring your questions and join a heart-to-heart discussion with a mom who’s been there—someone with the advantage of hindsight and the wisdom that comes from experience.

As a parent homeschooling a teen (or thinking about it), you may have doubts about your ability . . . and your sanity. Come and be encouraged as you discover a long-range perspective for teaching your teen that is filled with hope, faith, and joy!

What plan would suit your high school student? What subjects do you teach and when? Do you follow a basic high school plan, a general college prep plan, or a rigorous college prep plan? This seminar will help you organize your thoughts and lay the groundwork for a viable four-year plan. You’ll learn about high school credits, simplifying grading, and the fundamentals of recordkeeping—transcripts, extracurriculars, and diplomas.

For parents of teens preparing to attend four-year colleges or universities, this seminar provides resources to help you prepare your student for the challenges of college, determine parameters for selecting a school, and navigate the application process. You’ll receive information on making the most of a campus visit, interacting with admissions officers, and gathering the information necessary to submit an application.

In this engaging workshop for parents and teens, families will explore a variety of professions and pathways—including entrepreneurship, skilled trades, and apprenticeships. Together, they’ll discover how to match interests with real-world opportunities while developing essential practical skills for future success. You’ll leave with tools and inspiration to build confidence, direction, and a plan for the road ahead.

The high school years are a prime opportunity to equip your teens for future success. Whether your teen is headed to college, a career, or the military, they will benefit from advanced skills in study and time management. This session provides parents and teens with practical ways to develop these skills during high school, and lists resources that will help!

A transcript is a vital part of your teen’s high school records. In this interactive, practical seminar, you’ll create a transcript that can be used as a template when designing your own. The session will guide you through the how-to of transcripts, evaluating credit, simplifying grading, and calculating grade point averages (GPAs).

Stewardship Through Action! Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) recognizes that your money is actually God's money. Not just your tithe, but all of it! Jim encourages his clients to reflect on where they have placed their trust—in their bank account, their retirement account, or God. BRI is an investment strategy that aligns a portfolio with Christian values by investing in companies that are consistent with biblical principles, while excluding those that exploit others through means of abortion, pornography, alcohol, gambling, lifestyle and adult entertainment. Jim’s business, Solid Rock Retirement Strategies, was recently featured in a Samaritan Ministries Member Spotlight article.

Young earth creationism and the global flood are often the object of scorn in the secular culture and are even viewed by many evangelical intellectuals as if they were a stumbling block for a Christian witness to the surrounding culture. However, the hypothesis that the earth is mere thousands of years old and was radically reshaped by a global flood in that time period has shown itself to be a fruitful scientific research program and better explains the scientific evidence than the hypothesis that the earth is billions of years old. This talk looks at scientific evidence for a global flood and a young earth.

It is relatively common to read or hear that Jesus never claimed to be God and that the idea that he was God was the product of a legendary development over a long time. However, this perspective is flawed and does not withstand historical scrutiny. This talk will look at evidence supporting the claim that the idea that Jesus was God goes back to the ministry of Jesus himself and to his original disciples.

It is often claimed that the four gospels can't be trusted and contain myths or historical errors. Against that, this talk will contend that material in the gospels has strong evidence supporting its authenticity and historical trustworthiness.

The accusation that the books of the New Testament were chosen centuries later is misleading and yet popular enough that some can wonder whether the books in the New Testament are the result of arbitrary decisions that could have been different. Why these books? And why not others? This talk examines why we have the particular books in the New Testament that we do, and why those are the right books.

Scripture memorization is rightly commended as a good spiritual practice for believers, but few engage in the practice or do so to any significant extent. This is partly understandable, as conventional methods for scripture memorization are time-consuming and tediously repetitive. Using a memorization method that fits into daily life much better than other methods, Paul recited word-for-word from memory at least almost all of every book of the New Testament in a less-than-five-year time period between starting seminary and finishing a New Testament PhD program. If you want to learn how to memorize much of the Bible yourself without it taking over your life, come and learn Paul's method.

Good books for boys are hard to find. Most boys read only what they want to read. Otherwise, they would rather be doing something. Boys are wired differently than girls, and they respond to different things. This workshop will be both informative and interactive, addressing how God designed boys to be, what boys need from parents and teachers, and what they need from books. Using illustrations from his own books, hearing you share your own experiences, and sharing guidance from other writers, Paul will encourage you in your quest to raise boys to be Christian men. He will bring a display of books on this important challenge.

A severe bleeding injury can happen to anyone at any time. Luckily, learning how to stop bleeding and save a life is easy. Stop the Bleed is a nationally recognized training course and is the result of a collaborative effort led by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma to bring knowledge of bleeding control to the public. Participants in the course will learn how to recognize life-threatening bleeding and act effectively to control it with three quick techniques. The Stop the Bleed training course will empower you to make a life-or-death difference when a bleeding emergency happens.