In early October, more than 300 home school leaders and their families traveled from 42 states and three Canadian provinces to attend the 1995 National Christian Home Educators Leadership Conference in Orlando, Florida, sponsored by the National Center for Home Education. Conference attendees, the officers, and board members of statewide home school organizations across the country, enjoyed three days of inspiration, motivation, information, fellowship, debate, and discussion during a program featuring keynote addresses, open forums, workshops, and debate. (Whew!)
The conference sessions included addresses and workshops by Dr. Allan C. Carlson, president of The Rockford Institute, technology guru and author George Gilder, and Reverend Jack Lash, pastor of Gainesville Presbyterian Church (PCA); a debate on the merits (and meaning!) of Outcome-Based Education between HSLDA President Michael Farris and the "father of OBE," Dr. William Spady; a presentation on family finances from Christian financial counselor Larry Burkett; a "town hall" briefing on national legislative challenges facing home schoolers from Michael Farris, National Center for Home Education Executive Director Christopher J. Klicka, and National Center Director of Federal Relations Doug Phillips; a one act biography of Martin Luther by the Christian drama troupe Peculiar People; and workshops featuring state leaders sharing their experiences on topics from convention planning to developing leadership. {A good time was had by all!}
Home school leaders left the conference encouraged, equipped, informed, and reinvigorated for ministry to home schoolers back in their states.
