Saskatchewan Home Based Educators

SHBE 2009 Teen Conference

A full two day program has been planned for teens which includes youth who turn 13 before December 31, 2009. Brian and Lorie Schlamp are the co-ordinators of this program.

We plan to start off with a “Get to Know Each Other” or “Icebreaker” event. Ian Clapperton from Millar College of the Bible, will be facilitating this event with fun and games.

Bryan and Lorie are into their fourth year of homeschooling their three children, aged 15, 13 and 11.  They have been married for 18 years, sharing many joys and struggles.  Bryan is presently working as and itinerant Hutterite teacher.  He travels to 5 different colonies each week, teaching social studies, and physical education.  Lorie is also a certified teacher, but has enjoyed being a stay at home mom.  They recently moved from Herbert, their residence of 11 years, to Beverley, a hamlet just out of Swift Current.  They have a heart for ministry.  Bryan teaches children's church, and Lorie reaches out to encourage other mothers and children.

Bryan and Lorie will present a session called “Life Without Hands”. Hands – most of us have them and think little of them. Bryan was born without hands, and shares his life story. His is a testimony of triumphs and successes, as well as struggles and seeming failures. Lorie, his wife, will also share her side of the story, her heart.

Kevin Ratzlaff is a homeschool father of six children, a former worship arts pastor and currently as student at Briercrest Seminary. He will be presenting, "So Is My XBOX Evil?" "If I decide to follow Jesus, does that mean I have to stop having fun?" In a culture that is steeped in entertainment, it is important for Christians of all ages to develop a personal philosophy about "what kind?" and "how much?" So, come and share your point of view and hear some biblical insights as Kevin both teaches and moderates a discussion towards developing a Christian philosophy of entertainment.   

Conrad Neufeld is a homeschool graduate and currently in his third year of the marketing program in the faculty of commerce at the University of Saskatchewan. He will chronicle his educational experience from the home and beyond covering the following areas:

The Social Outcast - Dispelling the myths of home-education
The Method - A brief history of my educational route
The Million Dollar Analogy - What is the value of home-education?

Cory McKenna, currently the Executive Assistant for Homeschool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), will be the featured speaker. Cory is the founder of The Cross Current (an evangelism and discipleship project), an ordained minister, a radio show host (www.tccradio.com), a former sales executive, a professional singer/songwriter and a youth/young adult pastor. He will be presenting the following sessions:

SESSION 1: The Genesis Foundation

The book of Genesis is the seedbed of everything we believe as believers. It’s also foundational to understanding the rest of the Bible and fully embracing the truth of the Gospel. In this groundbreaking session, Cory will share the relevance of the “book of beginnings” to our church and culture and will “literally” challenge Christians everywhere to believe it “as is” – or else!

 SESSION 2: Let’s Get Creative!

Secular rumour has it that we haven’t been created for an eternal purpose but rather we are just the happenstance by-product of a cosmic accident. This session will equip you, your family and your church with the basic principles of logic and science you need to undoubtedly prove that something (and someone) is created…and why it really matters!

SESSION 3: Keeping Cool in the “Hot Seat”

Having personally street witnessed and open air preached to thousands of people, there are very few questions that Cory and his team haven’t been asked. This session offers truthful answers to the toughest questions Christians encounter when reaching out to the culture. Opportunity will also be given for you to ask your own questions to see how cool Cory keeps in the “hot seat”!

SESSION 4: How to Become a Seed Sowing Superstar…in just 60 minutes!?

When it comes to sharing our faith, we do the sowing and God does the growing. What if someone could help you cultivate a scripturally sound soil bed for faithful farming and then teach you how to sow seed into it…in just sixty minutes? In this session Cory will teach you how to share your faith staying rooted in the truth of God’s Word rather than relying on yet another “Gospel gardening gimmick”!