The 2008 FCHM Benefit Dessert is only 8 days away! Please join us Friday, October 24th at Life Point Church for a special evening benefiting First Class Homeschool Ministries. Tables are filling up fast and seating is limited - register today!
If you know of anyone who is considering homeschooling or might be interested in the ministry of First Class, please invite them. Tickets are a steal at $5 each, and include a yummy fall dessert.
We look forward to seeing you on Friday, October 24th at 6:30 pm. This is an event you won't want to miss!
Jay & Heidi St. John
for the Board and Leadership Teams of FCHM
Why raising the next generation matters
Don't Waste Your Kids
by Gregg Harris
Psalm 127 tells us that God has issued our children to us to be "as arrows in the hand of warrior." That means we are supposed to make every shot count in the battle against wickedness. But how can we aim our children for life? What is the right target? And how should we exert our influence? The answers are both profound and simple.
WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
PAUL ANDERSON
Partner evangelist to Luis Palau, pastor, co-founder of Skatechurch and homeschooling father of seven - Paul's passion for Christ will encourage and challenge you!
STEVE LAMBERT
Steve and his wife Jane (author of the popular Five in a Row series) has been traveling and speaking to homeschooling families for 15 years. The Lamberts have two grown daughters and six grandchildren, who are also being homeschooled. The Lamberts live near Kansas City, Missouri.
JAY "BIRD" KODER - Guitarist Jay Koder has toured as support act for greats such as Miles Davis and James Brown, and performed in world class venues from the Universal Amphitheater in L.A. to Red Rocks in Colorado, to Carnegie Hall and Gorky Park in Russia.
EVENING HIGHLIGHTS
Co-op class displays
NEW FCHM DVD
Dessert
Special Music
Slide Show
Vision for FCHM
About Us
First Class Homeschool Ministries opened it's first co-op in 2000. Three years ago, under the leadership of Jay and Heidi St.John, First Class became a national non-profit ministry and since that time, First Class has started homeschool co-ops in 28 locations around the United States and Canada.
First Class has a vision to see churches become "lighthouses" for homeschooling families - because we believe that the church can offer a place for homeschoolers to make friends, find encouragement, take classes, and ultimately, meet Jesus Christ.
FCHM Co-ops meet an average of just 18 mornings a year - a small time investment that yeilds a tremendous result - and we are growing fast. Because we are a support-based ministry, we depend on the support of others who share this vision in order to continue to grow.
It is our prayer that eventually, First Class Homeschool co-ops will be a staple of Christian churches all over the world, and we are excited to partner with others as we seek the Lord for the future of FCHM.
TOS is full of great homeschool information! Check it out!
Members of FCHM Co-ops receive a discounted subscription to TOS! Use FC+Gifts to receive your discount and 25 free gifts from TOS!
We grow through your giving.
Every gift you make to FCHM helps us plant homeschool co-ops around the world.
Thank you for supporting the ministry of FCHM.
Keeping a Kingdom Perspective
by heidi st.john
Dear Maria,
It's August! For many of you reading this, August means the end to "unstructured" free time, and for some of you, the closing months of summer mean you better get your game on and figure out what to do for school this fall!
Personally, I have always waited until the last minute (I know I know, but I function well under pressure). No matter how you look at it, we're all different. God has given us different gifts and abilities that He wants us to use for His glory as we move about His business here on this earth.
His business. When it's all said and done, that's what this life is all about. Recently, I had to ask myself if I really had a kingdom perspective. A kingdom perspective requires that we let go of our agenda. It requires that be unwaveringly focused on His call in our life, recognizing that with all our faults and frailties, God wants to use us in spite of ourselves. There is no moral superiority in obeying God's call on our lives. We would be foolish to do anything else. Having a Kingdom perspective means that we must use everything, even the things that cause us pain, for His glory.
This summer, when we were speaking at a homeschool conference in Kansas City, I was privileged to meet a young mom named Maggi Pivovar. Just a year and a half ago, Maggi was a homeschool mom like many of you. Then, the unthinkable happened.
Jay and Heidi St. John have been married for almost 19 years and are the homeschooling parents of six children who range in age from sixteen to three. Heidi speaks to mothers with humor and grace on many subjects dealing with homeschooling. If you are interested in having the St. Johns speak at your event, please contact them through FCHM.
Meet Mark and Lanae Pearson, directors of First Class South Seattle. God has given them a passion for adoption, and they are in the process of adopting a brother and sister, Brian and Josephine (below), from Ghana, West Africa!
First Class has a chance to help bring these two precious children home to the United States and into the Pearson family. Will you get involved?
"The first benefit is always the "Wow" factor when someone arrives at the convention," explained Cheryl Boglioli, State Chairman of the Florida Parent Educator's Convention (FPEA). "It is an awesome experience to realize that you are not alone in this endeavor and there are so many families of all walks of life with the same objectives."
"Awesome" is also how Scott Adams describes his first convention trip to the North Carolina Convention last year. Scott has four small children, but the concept of homeschooling is one that is fairly new to him - an idea that he at first greeted with skepticism. "I was surprised by the attendance. It was amazing seeing all those families there and there were far more men there than I expected. It really changed my view of homeschooling. It is one thing to hear about the numbers of families that are doing it; it is another to actually see them gathered together!"
The Encouragement Factor
Fearful new homeschoolers as well as veterans near the end of their journey are both in desperate need of encouragement. A homeschool convention with powerful and motivating speakers provides enough encouragement for both. New homeschoolers come away feeling like they can actually accomplish what they are setting out to do and veterans are given the precious fuel they need to continue on the journey.
Kim Roper, Events Director for the California Home Educator's Association (CHEA), explained how conventions benefit both veterans and newcomers to the homeschool community: "Newcomers often reignite the passion for homeschooling in seasoned veterans. The veterans, in turn, often give timely wisdom and understanding to new home educators who may be discouraged."
Deborah Wuehler is the chief contributing writer for Chapel, and Devotional Door e-Newsletter creator. She resides in Roseville, California, with her husband Richard and their six gifts from heaven. She loves digging for buried treasure in the Word, reading, writing, homeschooling, and dark chocolate. Email her at dwuehler@surewest.net.
Originally appeared in the Winter 2005 issue of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine. Reprinted with permission. Subscribe today and receive 25 free gifts. www.TheHomeschoolMagazine.com.
See what California Teachers are saying about Homeschooling in California!!!
The California Homeschool Network is collecting Teacher signatures for the CHN Teacher Petition. Here are some of the comments teachers wrote when they signed the petition!
Log in or join FCHM and download a new e-book written by Amanda Bennett exclusively for members of First Class!
Unit Studies: A Great Way to Learn
a FREE e-book for members just released!
Amanda Bennett's newest e-book, written exclusively for members of First Class Homeschool Ministries, is a wonderful introduction to the outstanding benefits of teaching using unit studies.
If you are a member of FCHM, log in and download your copy now! Once you login, click on "account" to access your free member downloads! Not a member? Find out more about getting connected with FCHM here.
If you are not a member of First Class, now is a great time to join! Here are some other great ebooks waiting for you...
15 Minutes to a Better Homeschool Marriage from Real Life Marriages: Homeschool Edition
Secrets of Successful Homeschooling by Paul and Gena Suarez
Roosevelt Unit Study from Five in a Row Publishing
Click here to learn more about becoming a member of FCHM!
Questions? Email us!
Frequently asked Questions about FCHM
Q: It's August. Can we still start a homeschool co-op?
A: Absolutely! You can start a homeschool co-op any time of the year... or you may choose to charter with First Class and build up your group through "moms meetings", holiday parties and field trips through the fall months, and then start classes in the winter and spring. It's never too late to start a homeschool co-op... and our mission is to help you every step of the way!
Q: We are an existing co-op. Can we join FCHM?
A: Yes! We are an evangelical para-church ministry - meaning we work alongside Christian churches to minister to homeschooling families. We would love to have you join the network of FCHM co-ops. See "about" FCHM, and also our statement of faith.
Q: Why should we become part of FCHM?
A: Our vision is to plant homeschool co-ops in churches all over the world, where families can find encouragement and support as they navigate the homeschool years. We believe that churches should be lighthouses for homeschooling families; offering a homeschool co-op is a wonderful way to show their support and to meet a real need within the homeschool community.
It is a vision that is resonating with pastors and homeschooling families all over the world! With the number of homeschoolers growing rapidly each year, the opportunity for evangelism and ministry to whole families is tremendous.
Once you become part of the FCHM network of co-ops, you will find support, encouragement, resources and new friendships with other people who are working with homeschoolers just like you!
Q: What do you do to support co-op leaders?
A: Part of the beauty of "getting connected" with FCHM is that all of that you can follow a template for a homeschool co-op... the "nuts and bolts" of starting a homeschool co-op have already been done for you! From a functioning website to dozens of templates, prayer support and a leader's guide - you won't be a "lone ranger" at First Class. FCHM staff and other leaders work together to bring out the BEST in co-op leadership, and share it with other FCHM co-ops.
News, events and Information as it pertains to Homeschool Families in Washington State. Merry Christmas! The volunteer blog coordinator is taking a leave of absence to move within the state. Her family still hasn't been able to move due to the new construction process taking more and more time. She will be back to posting/ answering questions/comments when her family is moved in.
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African Adoption! 
The Value of Homeschool Conventions
ides enough encouragement for both. New homeschoolers come away feeling like they can actually accomplish what they are setting out to do and veterans are given the precious fuel they need to continue on the journey.
See what California Teachers are saying about Homeschooling in California!!! 
A: Part of the beauty of "getting connected" with FCHM is that all of that you can follow a template for a homeschool co-op... the "nuts and bolts" of starting a homeschool co-op have already been done for you! From a functioning website to dozens of templates, prayer support and a leader's guide - you won't be a "lone ranger" at First Class. FCHM staff and other leaders work together to bring out the BEST in co-op leadership, and share it with other FCHM co-ops.
