OCHEC Convention

The purpose of this lecture is to respond to the mass exodus of children leaving the church by exploring the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of a Family­Integrated­Church ministry model. Certain churches in the U.S. and Canada have been intentionally drawing the family unit back into the center of discipleship by labelling themselves as being a “Family­ Integrated” church. By doi...

Homeschool co­ops can feel like unicorns—rare, elusive, and almost mythical when healthy & thriving. This workshop pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build and sustain a homeschool co­op rooted in strong community, academic excellence, and shared faith­based values. We’ll unpack the opportunities and challenges as we look at the logistics that make a co­op viable, including insurance,...

How are your children growing toward adulthood? Children have essential needs that enable them to grow up, and it is our job to help meet those needs. This session will identify the core needs that must be met to provide optimal growth toward maturity, and the Smiths will discuss how we, as parents, can effectively meet those needs. Home is the place where children grow the most. Be inspired to cha...

What’s a dad to do? In a busy home, dads often find themselves being dragged along in all the activity involving the children. But can it be another way? The influence of the father can be the thing that helps all the activity stay on course. Dr. Smith will share ways he and others have made significant contributions to the home in the midst of a busy career. This session will not be an attempt to pr...

Preparing your children for success means giving them the best part of you, and that doesn’t happen by accident. A combination of deciding what you think is important and discovering ways to clearly and effectively communicate it is core to discipling your children. The Smiths will share ideas for ways you can communicate your family values. Additionally, a key concept for establishing goals for ea...

Having watched their children approach life with gusto, sensing few boundaries, the Smiths will share some of the things they think made it possible for their children to think outside the box, and live like it! Stories from others they know, and examples from scripture will be used to help make the ideas and approaches applicable to your home. We all want our children to be brave. This session wi...

Have you ever said, “My kids are out of control!”? The Smiths will show you why it is not such a bad thing, and will even encourage you to transfer more control for the good of the children, and for your own sanity. Though this is not a new idea, the way of thinking about it is foreign to most people. Having raised 4 children to lead productive lives as adults, the Smiths bring real-life stories f...

Many parents are confident managing decisions and educational choices through the middle school years, but shake with fear when looking ahead to the high school years. The issues do seem to have greater consequences, but Dr. Smith will show a mindset and approach that can energize you to make them the best years. Your emerging adults can become the one who praises you, instead of being your greates...

Often falling on the heels of making a bold decision in your family, a little voice in your head cries out, “What was I thinking?!! I can’t do that!” Even when we are obedient to clear direction, we can become insecure and fearful. Humorous stories will lighten your load if you are feeling the press to make changes, and will help you to stop listening to the accusations from within. Jan Smith love...

Every homeschool mom thinks she is failing and wants guidance. Every one of them also can help another. Jan will give practical tips to finding a mentor or being a mentor. From child training to seemingly fruitless discipline, every mom needs a confidant for comfort and reassurance, or a new perspective. Get ideas from Jan’s forty years of mentoring. Jan Smith loves people and speaks straight to t...

Teaching your child to read is the greatest gift you may ever give. Reading aloud to your child is the greatest potential indicator for academic success. Jil will inspire you to foster both independent and family reading time during your homeschool and share practical resources and teaching tools to facilitate a Reading Revival. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s program...

Everyone seems to be talking about resiliency these days, in parenting and education. Jil will share ways we can foster resiliency in kids during our homeschool program. Focusing on the power of fiction to inspire and provide examples of grit she will share how to use our novel studies and read-aloud times to spark discussions that internalize perseverance, problem-solving, self-sacrifice, and cou...

Jil will walk through Deuteronomy 6 and Matthew 28 casting a clear vision for homeschooling as obedience to God’s call to teach and disciple our children in the Lord. Jil will encourage, equip, and inspire by highlighting God’s mission, curriculum, and methodology as found in his word. Living out God’s call on a daily basis within our homeschool brings the greatest joy and blessing and Jil will re...

Jil will explore the life-changing teaching in Jeremiah 2, where God challenges His people to forsake the idols they have replaced Him with, the “broken cisterns that hold no water” and instead, drink from His fountain of living water. Jil will discuss how to live this out practically in our homeschool lives as mothers and wives. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s progra...

Jil will share the powerful ways stories teach and inspire. Together we’ll examine a classic story arc and apply that to transformed writing and inspired literary analysis. You will go home with teaching resources to share with your children, equipping them for future excellence in story writing and understanding. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the children’s program at church, she...

Jil will explain how to systematically create a unit study that captures your kids’ hearts as it stimulates their minds. She will share the value of using unit studies in your homeschool and the ways they can enhance learning across disciples. Participants will develop the spine of their own unit study and share ideas as they vision together. When Jil isn’t homeschooling or helping to run the chil...

Yes, seriously! Come hear all about it from some of the most enthusiastic Bible quizzers and see a short demonstration of how fun, character-building, and competitive Bible Quizzing really is. From what a quiz practice looks like, to the big Quiz Meet, or how to set up a team in your area, we are super excited to share our love and passion for Bible Quizzing with you. These three homeschooled frie...

The journey through high school graduation in Ontario involves understanding transcripts, accumulating credits, and navigating alternative options — it can feel like trying to decipher a secret language. If you’re wondering exactly what is required for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), what you need for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), and how to make wise and intentiona...

Marriage is a lifelong journey worth strengthening at every stage. Whether you’ve been married for months or decades, this session offers encouragement and practical challenges to help you build a mightier marriage. Come ready to be inspired, refreshed, and equipped with timeless truths and practical ideas that will bless your relationship and enrich your family life. Lucas Spicer, a Christ-follow...

Join Mark as he shares how homeschool literally saved his life as a child and the importance of “the homeschool dad” today. Using stories, he will unpack the toolbox of principles he’s acquired and learned along the way to help equip and encourage you as you lead and support in your home. Let’s laugh and learn together. Mark is a follower of Jesus, a husband to his amazing wife Beth, a father to f...

Sometimes life is messy. It’s more Pinterest-fail than Pinterest-perfect. Get ready for the adventure of high school with a realistic roadmap and explore the rhythms that can anchor your confidence. In her 25+ years of homeschooling, Jo has navigated medical complexity, starting over, prodigals, seasons of uncertainty, proud-mama moments and deep fulfillment. She’ll share the highs and the lows, a...

Mary Poppins knew the secret – a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down! How can we add some sweetness to our days and fun to our schooling? Board games! There is so much joy to be had in the little moments of our lives, as we live and grow together. Board games and activities are an amazing way to change the pace of your day and inject it with some fun and energy! Whether it’s tea with the...

The Bible is the word of God. It is composed of 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. How do we know they all belong in the Bible, and that none are missing? How did Jesus ensure that we have the right books? Henry was born in Taiwan and grew up an atheist and evolutionist. After moving to Costa Rica at the age of 12 and then to Toronto at the age of 15, he heard the gospe...

“To label or not to label,” that is the question. This debate is the start of many interesting conversations around the dinner table once you realize that your child doesn’t fit within the parameters of “normal.” Some may say, “Why bother testing? Labeling? We don’t want to affect their future.” True, kids can change. A label can lead to teasing or exclusion, or it could be used as a crutch. On th...

In this session, we will be discussing how to start a sports program for your home school community, sample guidelines, statements of purpose, goals, pitfalls and successes. Jenn’s life was transformed in her early 30s when she came to Christ. Once vowing to “never homeschool,” she has now dedicated 17 years to home education. Blending her Recreation degree with a passion for sport, Jenn founded t...