2009 Convention Review

By David Monk, Convention Director

Thank you to all of you who attended this year’s 26th Annual Arizona Homeschool Convention. We hope you came away convinced that God has both called and empowered you to disciple your children. Knowing the difficulty of the current economic times, we are excited to announce a record attendance of over 4400 people this year!

We are proud to have been able to keep the convention admission at the same price for the last three years, though we know this will not always be possible as prices for services keep rising.

Starting the weekend off, Dr. Voddie Baucham was a rousing favorite, convicting and convincing everyone with his powerful blend of humor, passion, and inescapable biblical truth. Session after session, people crowded in to hear his exhortation to disciple families, encourage biblical manhood, and educate from a thoroughly Christian worldview.

Friday evening we were proud to host our 16th Annual Jr. High Graduate Recognition Night with 68 graduates, and we were blessed to have Diana Waring join us to exhort the graduates in her unfailingly funny, compassionate, and encouraging style.

Both Friday and Saturday the teens responded enthusiastically as they interacted with Dan Sinclair, Diana Waring, and Julie Hiramine’s sessions on issues like learning styles, heroes of history, and purity.

For the adults, Hal & Melanie Young packed out sessions on teaching and appreciating boys, supporting and protecting your wife, and homeschooling with babies and toddlers. Other excellent speakers covered a variety of practical and encouraging topics. We would like to express our gratitude to the nearly 100 volunteers who worked so hard to help make this year’s convention a success.

Make plans to join us in 2010. We will be in the South building of Phoenix Convention Center again on July 23rd and 24th.

2009 PHOTOS: If you have photos you took at this year’s homeschool convention and would like to share them with us, please send them by email to convention@afhe.org. Thank you!

SOME COMMENTS FROM THIS YEAR'S ATTENDEES ...

I came because of the free preschool offer. Loved that - wouldn’t have come otherwise most likely. This convention has given me the tools & encouragement to solidify my commitment to homeschool and encourage others that were unsure.

This was my first convention and I was absolutely floored! It was so much more than I expected and I will be sure to return year after year!!

Thank you for doing this. It is like a “reset” button on my life truly. I’ve come to depend upon it.

So nice to see the product of the parents (i.e. their children) here at the conference. The teenagers were so well mannered and down to earth. That was neat to see as new homeschool parents.

Awesome 1st experience!

Thank you for an awesome conference! I look forward to attending all year long. There was a good variety of presenters and topics to choose from. Great job!

I am attending my first conference, getting ready to start my 8th year of homeschooling. I have been blessed and encouraged. I have learned and am seeing growth because of this conference.

The homeschool convention is a highlight of my year. You always have amazing speakers that so encourage me in my homeschool journey. Keep it up! Thanks!

Thanks for another great convention. I attend every year and it never fails to encourage, validate, and inform. I wouldn’t miss it!

I’m glad I came. I needed the encouragement to start a new school year less overwhelmed. Thank you!

The keynote speakers at the AFHE convention have consistently educated us in the ways of God, helped us better understand the Bible and our roles, and have challenged us to step up to God’s higher standards. They have also encouraged us in many ways. Thank you so much to all of you who make this convention happen and your work throughout the year.