Dr. Lainna Callentine has a great love for teaching. She is a pediatrician, homeschool mother and former classroom teacher with a certification in elementary education. Dr. Callentine received her BA from Northwestern University where she studied in the School of Education majoring in Human Development and Social Policy while competing on a full athletic scholarship in basketball. She is a former 5th grade classroom teacher with a Master’s Degree in education. She completed her MD at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine and trained at Christ Hospital and Medical Center in Oak Lawn, IL. Dr. Callentine continues to have wonderment for the beauty of God's creation in the human body. She left formal medicine in the ER to stay home and homeschool her three children. However, she still practices her hobby of medicine at a Christian Clinic in the Chicago suburbs.

Dr. Callentine has taught hands-on science in many different settings and forums. Currently she teaches at the Learning Vine in Naperville, IL. She has spoken at a large variety of support groups, community organizations and conventions such as the Illinois Christian Home Educators convention. Dr. Callentine is passionate about the biological sciences, children, education, families and the God who created all things.

For more information, please visit sciexperience.com

Event activities / Sessions:

Cheryl is Founder/ Director of "Organize Your Life," an organization that helps Christian women, moms in particular, reach their maximum effectiveness and productivity. Carter is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), Small Publishers of North American (SPAN) and a Clinical member of the National Association of Christian Counselors (NCCA). Carter is a former elementary school teacher and the author of five books on time management and organization including, 500 Ways to Organize Your Child and Put Your Life In Order. She has written Christian and secular curriculum, as well as parenting and family material. Carter is also a Columnist for the Long Island New York Christian Life Times and writes for various online publications. She is the primary homeschool teacher for the Carter children (ages 6, 9, 12) and considers mothering her finest achievement. She is a sought after home-school and family speaker. She assists her husband in Foundations for Family Success, a ministry to urban families where she does Biblical counseling and workshops. In her oft-stretched spare time she tutors at-risk youth and is active in her local church and community.

For more information, visit her website at www.momtime.net.

Event activities / Sessions:

Derek is the President of Foundations for Family Success, a ministry which serves today's fast paced families. The ministry conducts practical workshops and seminars on marriage, parenting and families. In addition he does Biblical counseling. He is a Clinical Member of the National Association of Christian Counselors. He has worked with families in crisis for over fifteen years and has a degree in Urban Studies and a Masters of Science in Urban Policy and Administration. Currently, he is employed by the Family Preservation Program in New York City. He is active in the Long Island, Greater New York Homeschool community. He is a home-schooling dad and is a Chapter Leader with the New York State Christian Homeschool group (LEAH). Carter is also a freelance writer who has written on fathering issues. He is active in his local church. He has been joyfully married for sixteen years to the only love of his life, his bride Cheryl, and has three young children. He has a vision to see all men rise to be like Christ in their homes and is often heard to say "just like we want to be like Christ, our children should want to be like us”. He has a burden to reach fathers so they can reach their children and regularly speaks on marriage, parenting and home-school issues.

For more information, visit Derek's website at www.momtime.net.

Event activities / Sessions:

Steve and his wife Sandi joined the ICHE Board in 2006. They have homeschooled five children for the past 16 years; two of their children have graduated from high school and are now receiving advanced education and mentorship through The Chicago Conservatory of Arts and Sciences, a family entrepreneurial endeavor. Steve is the President of an investment management firm in Chicago as well as a teaching elder in a family-integrated church. Prior to family and conviction to homeschool, Sandi was employed as a consultant to senior management in the health care arena and taught business development in a local university MBA program. Upon the birth of their first child, God began to call their hearts home and teach them the truths of becoming a visionary family for His glory. Steve and Sandi have a growing ministry to train parents in a biblical vision for their families.

Event activities / Sessions:

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

02:05PM

03:05PM

Homeschooling 101

Speaker(s):

Jeffrey Lewis, Steve & Sandi Grutzius

Every year we are asked dozens of questions by families just trying to sort through what this homeschooling phenomenon is all about. We have put together a panel presentation based on ICHE’s years of experience helping families launch into the new adventure of homeschooling. We cover some legal basics and the nuts-n-bolts of how a homeschool day can work. We also give you some framework for sorting through the maze of seemingly endless curriculum choices.

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

04:45PM

05:45PM

The Heart of Reformation: Experiencing God’s Transforming Power in Your Family

Speaker(s):

Steve & Sandi Grutzius

Reformation goes beyond Martin Luther. Take a closer look at the principles of the Reformation that can be applied to our everyday lives. Catch the Biblical vision for transforming your life and family from complacency to faith and hope. This session is designed for parents and young adults who want to live an intentional life for the glory of God and the building of His Kingdom.

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

08:30AM

09:25AM

Homeschooling 101

Speaker(s):

Jeffrey Lewis, Steve & Sandi Grutzius

Every year we are asked dozens of questions by families just trying to sort through what this homeschooling phenomenon is all about. We have put together a panel presentation based on ICHE’s years of experience helping families launch into the new adventure of homeschooling. We cover some legal basics and the nuts-n-bolts of how a homeschool day can work. We also give you some framework for sorting through the maze of seemingly endless curriculum choices.

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

01:45PM

02:40PM

State of the State: Reforming Illinois One Family at a Time

Speaker(s):

Steve & Sandi Grutzius

Join the ICHE Legislative Task Force for an informative session on current legislative issues affecting the family and homeschooling. This session will also give numerous practical ideas to get your family involved in taking a stand to reform Illinois, one family at a time!

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

04:35PM

05:30PM

Family Economics: A Vision for Productivity in the Home

Speaker(s):

Steve & Sandi Grutzius

This session will take a look at the balance of production and consumption, living debt-free, and transforming each member of your family from a consumer to a producer. Basic Biblical economics will be discussed as well as the fallacies our current economic system is built upon. Learn how to turn your home into a productive family economic unit that is able to withstand tough economic times. This is a session for the whole family!

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

09:45AM

10:40AM

Homeschooling 101

Speaker(s):

Jeffrey Lewis, Steve & Sandi Grutzius

Every year we are asked dozens of questions by families just trying to sort through what this homeschooling phenomenon is all about. We have put together a panel presentation based on ICHE’s years of experience helping families launch into the new adventure of homeschooling. We cover some legal basics and the nuts-n-bolts of how a homeschool day can work. We also give you some framework for sorting through the maze of seemingly endless curriculum choices.

Sandi and her husband Steve joined the ICHE Board in 2006. They have homeschooled five children for the past eleven years. Prior to family and conviction to homeschool, Sandi was employed as a consultant to senior management in the health-care arena and taught business development in a local university MBA program. Upon the birth of their first child, God began to call their hearts home and teach them the truths of becoming a visionary family for His glory. Steve and Sandi have a growing ministry to train parents in a Biblical vision for their families.

For more information please visit www.chicagoconservatory.org.

Event activities / Sessions:

For the past sixteen years, Eric has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people on both national and overseas platforms. He has been a guest speaker at national leadership conferences, Christian events, churches and many Christian schools and universities. Eric has been a regular guest lecturer at Torchbearer Schools, Focus on the Family Institute and Summit Ministries. In 2009, he produced a nationally syndicated teaching broadcast for Moody Radio which aired weekly and gained a strong following of pastors and lay people alike. He has been a popular speaker on Christian radio broadcasts such as Focus on the Family, Campus Crusade, Revive our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss, Josh McDowell radio, Salem Radio Network, American Family Radio, and many more. Eric’s books and teachings are used in Christian training curriculums around the world by organizations such as CareNet, Youth With a Mission, and Compassion International.

Eric serves as the President of the Ellerslie Mission Society - a network of churches, training programs and international schools designed to prepare future leaders for world-impacting Christian service. Eric has a strong passion for orphan advocacy, and is in process of developing an international orphan program that provides strong spiritual and academic training for vulnerable children around the world, with the goal of building orphans into world-impacting leaders.

Eric and his wife Leslie have a passion for adoption, and have adopted two of their four children. The Ludy family lives in Windsor, Colorado where they enjoy Rocky Mountain sunsets, evening bike rides, and the daily chuckles and adventures that four small children bring.

For more infomration visit www.ellerslie.com.

Event activities / Sessions:

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

02:05PM

03:05PM

Wings as Eagles

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

God is in the business of building spiritual athletes - men and women that are honed and ready for spiritual battle - men and women that refuse to grow weary even though there are justifiable reasons for fainting and giving way to exhaustion. This is the message for those moments when the enemy is whispering, "Just give up, just give in, just go to sleep, just lay down your sword." The Christian's answer must be a resolute, "NO!"

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

03:25PM

04:25PM

Hero-Training

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

Plain and simple - God builds heroes. He doesn't build self-centered egotists, or self-obsessed circus clowns - He builds men and women who have wholly forgotten themselves and are ready to spend and be spent for the glory of Almighty God. And He calls such a masterpiece a "Christian."

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011

07:30PM

08:30PM

Funshop: Father/Son Fun!

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

Dads, come with your sons and plan to be challenged with some competition and inspiration.

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

08:30AM

09:25AM

Praying Through

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

The historic concept of "praying through" has gone missing in our modern day version of Christianity. But "praying through" was the essence of the George Muller, Rees Howells, John Hyde, Hudson Taylor, William Booth, Leonard Ravenhill, C.T. Studd model for effectual fervent praying. How do we get this powerful, wrestling, persistent prayer back to the center of Christian life in our day?

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

11:25AM

12:20PM

The Costly Gospel

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

If the power of the Gospel is to be fully realized in the life of a believer, then that believer must first be emptied. The principle of the Gospel is always "first death, then life." Mary of Bethany took her most precious possession, the alabaster of spikenard, and poured it out upon Jesus’ feet. Those near grumbled that the cost of such a precious treasure was wasted in that fashion, but Jesus responded by declaring that such an act was a clear enunciation of the Gospel life. Taking on the life of Jesus Christ comes with a stiff cost - it means giving up everything.

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

03:00PM

04:20PM

Keynote: Daring to Ask for More

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

There is a common spiritual ache that bonds us together and longs for more of Jesus Christ. We all, at various points within our spiritual journeys, have wondered if what modern Christianity is, is all God intended it to be. The question, "Is there more to this thing called Christianity?" pokes at us all. We have come to the conclusion that there is a lot more of Jesus to be had. So we ask daily for Christ to increase within us, to expand our love, to enlarge our faith and to increase our strength, courage and daring.

Friday, June 3rd, 2011

04:35PM

05:30PM

The Measurement of a Man

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

Just as there are gradients to the color blue, there are gradients to the grandeur and substance of a Godly man. On a scale of 1 to 10, Jesus ranks a ten - the deepest and richest royal shade of blue. He was the perfect man, demonstrating the heavenly hues of majesty and holiness. Jesus has set forth a pattern for manhood. And it is a standard so far beyond the average pew sitting man of our day. So, the question is . . . are we to ignore Christ's righteous pattern or are we to expect God to work the almighty manly pattern into our manhood?

Saturday, June 4th, 2011

11:50AM

01:00PM

Lunch

Speaker(s):

Eric Ludy

Bring your own lunch or enjoy a visit to the Calvary Cafe.

Matthew founded the McNatt Learning Center, Inc. in 2003 to help people learn more quickly, easily, accurately, and sustainably. Matthew helps people develop awareness of what they want and what they’re doing, so they can do it better—or can choose to do something else entirely.

Drawing upon his personal experience with overcoming neurological difficulties, Matthew helps people discover ways to move and learn that minimize problems and maximize their adaptability. an educator, HANDLE® Provider, and “lover of wisdom,” Matthew delights in helping people fulfill and expand their God-given potentials.

For more information visit www.McNattLearningCenter.com.

Event activities / Sessions:

Audrey Miller of Simpler Times Health is a veteran Christian homeschooling mom of 3 and wife of 28 years who has found that keeping your family healthy will make all the difference in your homeschool day! She is passionate about equipping others in using the foods and plants that God has given us to keep us healthy so that we can be of service to Him. Audrey is also a certified herbalist but considers her real qualifications and ‘degrees’ to be an “M.O.M”. and an “M.R.S”! She has been sharing and teaching health workshops to homeschool groups, retirement communities, churches and families since 2005.

For more information visit www.simplertimeshealth.com.

Event activities / Sessions:

Sonya is married to her best friend, John and has homeschooled for fifteen years. With a passion to encourage moms in their homeschooling, she co-directs SimplyCharlotteMason.com, a website designed for those who use the Charlotte Mason method. She has written many homeschool resources, including Laying Down the Rails, and is a frequent speaker at homeschool groups.

To minister to younger mothers and those dealing with special needs, Sonya shares her heart through www.IntentionalParents.com and her book This Anguished Blessed Journey: A Mother’s Faith Journal through Autism.

For more information please visit www.SimplyCharlotteMason.com.

Event activities / Sessions:

Attorney Mike Smith is the President of HSLDA, an organization that he helped found in 1983. Established to protect the right of parents to teach their children at home, HSLDA now represents over 80,000 member families. Mike and his wife Elizabeth began homeschooling their children in 1981. He has been defending families for 28 years. Mike has been speaking to homeschool audiences for 23 years. His columns on home education appear regularly in the Washington Times, and he has been a guest on numerous television and radio programs, including Focus on the Family with Jim Dobson and Hannity and Colmes on Fox News. He believes that there is a revival taking place in America through the homeschool movement and that, through the second and third generation of homeschoolers, there is great potential to return America to its moral and religious foundation.

For more information on Mike and the HSLDA, please visit www.HSLDA.org.

Event activities / Sessions:

Karen Stoll has been homeschooling her five active youngsters since the first one began his venture into academics. Surprised to discover that her two sons did not want to sit down and listen and write and learn, Karen quickly concluded that this might not be quite as easy as she’d thought and her adventure began! She dug in enthusiastically, researched and tried out many methods and materials. Discovering that her boys responded well to fun and games, she began to create her own materials. Bubbling over with creativity, gifted with energy to match her children, and with talents blossoming all over, Karen rose to the occasion. Karen believes that homeschooling is educating her as much as it is her children and God is using this journey to refine her own weaknesses and reveal much about Himself. After meeting Joyce Herzog and working directly with her, it became clear that she was called and designed to carry on the vision Joyce had for developing products and ministering to homeschoolers. Karen, her wonderful husband Charlie and her five delightful children ranging from 3 to 11 years old with a wide range of strengths and struggles live in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

For more information on please visit www.JoyceHerzog.com.

Event activities / Sessions:

Phillip is a former pastor and was a speaker for two years with a national youth ministry prior to starting Media Talk 101 in 2005. He is author of the book What Wouldn’t Jesus Do? Media choices in the light of following Christ and has ministered to youth and families over the last 20 years, sharing at camps, retreats, conferences, Christian schools and church services around the country. Phillip is also passionate about family-integrated church and ministry. He has served as a co-pastor at Living Water Fellowship in Bulverde, Texas with Richard ‘Little Bear’ Wheeler, and was director and teacher for Living Water School of Ministry. He and his wife Mary have been married for 20 years and home educate their four children.

Event activities / Sessions:

After studying several years toward an electrical engineering degree---which included taking a year of astronomy---Nathan changed his career direction to become a construction electrician. He worked at Fermilab doing new construction on high-energy particle accelerator experiments. One of these projects was the 5 million ton collider detector which was used to confirm the existence of the top quark in 1995, something Nathan remarks that Jesus knew about before man was created.

Even in his younger years Nathan was amazed at the intricacies of God’s world and how it worked. When he worked as a short-term missionary in Liberia West Africa for 1 ½ years, Nathan began sharing  planetarium presentations at radio station ELWA with the missionaries and nationals.

Seven years ago, as a better bridge to share the glories of God to others, Nathan acquired his inflatable planetarium and began taking it around the Chicagoland area as a part of his science and astronomy presentations.

Event activities / Sessions:

Carolyn Wallis’ passion for effective education began with her reading God’s Word and being transformed by it. A desire to spend time with her family drove her commitment to being home and homeschooling her family. Though she has a BS in Education, coordinated a private homeschool independent study program, and shared homeschooling and parenting principles along the West Coast, Carolyn believes her best learning has come from God’s Truth and her five very unique children. Carolyn and her husband, Trevor, homeschooled their five children with four successfully tackling the college world and life beyond. Their youngest is still at home. Two grandchildren are just beginning to homeschool! Trevor and Carolyn reside in Louisville, Kentucky..

For more information please visit www.Joyce Herzog.com.

Event activities / Sessions:

Jim is the son of Dr. N. A. Woychuk, who received Christ after memorizing hundreds of verses in a local contest. This salvation gave birth to a systematic Scripture memory movement that has borne great fruit as God has honored His word in the hearts of many who have treasured it. Jim is husband to Susan, and Dad to Faith (8) and Jonathan (6). He directs Scripture Memory Fellowship International and pastors Hannibal Evangelical Free Church in Hannibal, MO.

For more information on Jim's ministry please visit www.ScriptureMemoryFellowship.org.

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