Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might (Ephesians 6:10) 

Our strength for the homeschool journey comes from God. He has called us down this path. We cannot do it in our own strength. But He has provided everything we need for the journey. Sometimes that's in the form of an encouraging word from a conference speaker, the "just right" curriculum found in the Exhibit Hall, a friend giving you a hug between sessions, or the encouragement of being around so many other like-minded families. It is OCEANetwork's prayer that God will work in families at the 2012 conference as we seek to "be strong in the Lord."

We've designed this conference for you! Whether you are a beginner (start strong), experienced (stay strong), or have the finish line in sight (finish strong), the 2012 Oregon Christian Home Education Conference has something for you. We've chosen speakers that will help you start strong, stay strong and finish strong.

Keynote speaker:

Michael P. Farris is Chairman of the Home School Legal Defense Association and Chancellor of Patrick Henry College. Since founding HSLDA in 1983, Farris has used his extensive experience in both politics and appellate litigation to defend homeschooling and parental rights. Farris has written over a dozen books, including three novels, a constitutional law textbook, and works on marriage, parenting, homeschooling, political advocacy, and religious liberty. In recognition of his work in home education, Education Week has named Farris one of the “Top 100 Faces in Education of the 20th Century.” Michael and Vickie Farris live in Purcellville, Virginia, and have 10 children and 12 grandchildren.

Featured speakers for 2012

Vicki Bentley is the mother of eight daughters, foster mom of over fifty, and grandma to fifteen wonderful grandbabies (and another on the way!). She is the author of many homeschool and homemaking helps, a support group leader, and is currently HSLDA’s Toddlers to Tweens consultant and Group Services director. Vicki has a heart for parents, with strong practical wisdom and encouraging words. 

Bill Jack is faculty advisor for Worldview Academy. Students nationwide have learned from Bill at Worldview Academy, and homeschool and Answers in Genesis conferences. Bill is a contributing editor for AIG's "Issues & Answers." He has appeared on national radio and television programs. He is the producer of several videos including "Simple Tools for Brain Surgery." Bill and his wife, Tabby, live in Colorado with their children. Bill's sessions at the OCEANetwork conference are chosen to appeal to young adults and their parents.

 Dr. Brian Ray is the president of the National Home Education Research Institute (NHERI). He has published numerous journal articles and books, been repeatedly interviewed by major media, served as an expert witness in many court cases on homeschooling, and testified to legislatures regarding educational issues. Dr. Ray is a leading international expert in research on homeschooling. Brian and Betsy have been married 33 years and have eight children and four grandchildren. They live on a small farm in western Oregon.

Heidi St. John has been married to her husband Jay since 1989. They have seven children ranging in age from infant to 19 years and have homeschooled all the way through high school. A favorite conference speaker, Heidi approaches homeschooling with humor and grace at events all across North America.

Diana Waring, author of "Beyond Survival," "Reaping the Harvest "and the "History Revealed" curriculum, discovered years ago that "the key to education is relationship."  Beginning in the early 80's, Diana homeschooled her children through high-school—providing the real-life opportunities to learn how kids learn. Mentored by educators whose focus was to honor Him who created all learners, and with an international background (born in Germany, university degree in French, lifelong student of world history), Diana has been enthusiastically received by audiences on four continents.

Additional speakers include Christine Bullock, Eric Burg, Daniel Craig, Matthew and Lisa Jacobson, Patty McCarty, Monique Myhre, Megan Nixon, Betsy Ray, Brad and Marcy Reigg, Mike Shrock, Paul Telfer, Grace King and Telisa Vale. Pastor Aaron Auers and Brad Isham will be conducting the parent-child track. For a listing of speakers and their bios, click here .

Workshops

We have 50+ workshops to serve you at the conference. You’ll have more choices to meet your homeschool needs. Workshops will cover homeschool how-to, organization, family relationships, homeschool graduates, worldview training – just about anything you need to help your homeschool prosper. For a tentative schedule, click here .

We've pretty much settled on the workshops and topics for 2012, but let us know if you have workshop topics or speakers you would like to see at the 2013 conference by emailing us at mail@oceanetwork.org. It's never too early for us to be thinking about next year.

Gift for you - $200+ worth of free homeschool helps and coupons

Families registered for the OCEANetwork conference will receive gifts worth more than $200+ of free curriculum, coupons and homeschool helps.

Who is OCEANetwork?

OCEANetwork is a statewide, nonprofit organization whose mission is to "support, encourage, protect and advance private Christian home education in Oregon as a tool for family discipleship." The seven families on the board of OCEANetwork volunteer their time to answer first-time questions, assist support group leaders, travel and speak across the state, promote the vision of Christ-centered families, publish newsletters, lobby to defend home education freedom, and organize an annual conference. OCEANetwork has been meeting the needs and protecting the rights of Oregon home educators since 1986.

The Oregon Christian Home Education Conference is one of the American Home Education And Discipleship Conferences held by state organizations and promoted by the National Alliance of Christian Home Education Leadership. The National Alliance is a "support group" for board members of Christian state homeschool organizations. Alliance affiliates are working together to promote their 37 great homeschool conventions in 33 states. If you're not in Oregon, find another American Home Education And Discipleship Conference near you .