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CALL TO PRAYER! Hello homeschooling friends across Michigan! This beautiful spring weather, along with our recent celebration of Christ’s death and resurrection, has many of us smiling more and excited about all the good things to come: being outdoors more to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine, finishing up this year’s school subjects and making plans for summer and next fall… and gathering together as a homeschool community at the INCH Conference, May 18-20! It’s hard to believe, but this year will be INCH’s 40th annual conference! That is quite a milestone and something great to celebrate, and we sincerely hope YOU can join us in Lansing this year! The conference is now just over a month away, and whether or not you are going to be able to physically gather with us in May, our MICHN team would like to ask all of you to join us in prayer— not only for this event, but for the homeschooling community in Michigan. It is our heart, as we believe it is the Father God’s heart, that we, as His people and as parents tasked with the great responsibility of training up the next generation of leaders, be unified in our goal to impact this world, and particularly this state of Michigan, for Christ! We need to be busy about the work of God’s Kingdom- the work of making disciples who know, love, and serve the King- teaching them to walk in Truth! (This year’s conference theme- based on Psalm 86:11) So we invite you to join us over the next few weeks in daily prayer especially for our upcoming INCH Conference, as we believe the Lord can really use that time to equip and encourage His people to do the work of home discipleship! The 30 days of prayer will begin NEXT Wednesday, April 19th and run through the first day of the conference on May 18th. Below is a list of all 30 topics we’ll be praying about in the 30 days leading up to INCH, if you want to print and have them all in one place. We will also be sending a weekly Wednesday prayer email, and posting daily on Facebook and Instagram. We truly appreciate your faithful prayers- that the Lord might work mightily among His people at INCH 2023! NOTE: If you have not done so already, please click here and get registered for the conference! Blessings, The MICHN team INCH 30 Days of Prayer 4/19/23-5/18/23 Day 1: Today we are praying that God would be glorified in all things having to do with the INCH conference. “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.” Psalm 34:4 Day 2: Today we are praying that all those who are supposed to attend the conference will, and nothing would be able to stop them. “For where two or three come together in my name, there I am with them.” Matt. 18:20 Day 3: Today we are praying that every detail of everything involved in planning and carrying out this conference will come together. “ ‘Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.” Zech. 4:6b Day 4: Today we are praying that there would be a clear call on the homeschools represented at the INCH conference, and that we would seek to honor and obey the Lord as we diligently teach our children at home. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Day 5: Today we are praying that nothing would hinder the mission of the conference as it draws closer. “I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies.” 2 Samuel 22:4 Day 6: Today we are praying over the speakers at the conference. That they will be able to prepare well and clearly communicate that which the Lord has laid on their hearts to share with the homeschool community. “O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.” Isaiah 25:1 Day 7: Today we are praying that there will be no distractions during the conference. That those who are attending to learn will have supernatural focus and the ability to learn what the Lord has for them. “Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” Isaiah 2:22 Day 8: Today we are praying that relationships will be formed and solidified leading up to, during, and after the conference. “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Prov 13:20 Day 9: Today we are praying that He will hear those who call upon His name during INCH. That He would reveal more of Himself as we wholeheartedly seek Him during this time. “He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with them in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” Psalms 91:15 Day 10: Today we are praying over the children’s programming during the conference. That as the children gather together at the conference, they would be blessed and learn all that the Lord has for them there. “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14 Day 11: Today we are praying the children’s conference workers: for endurance, strength, and super-natural love to flow from them. “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” 3 John 1:4 Day 12: Today we are praying that each attendee and family represented at INCH would walk away with a renewed purpose and wisdom as to why we do what we do as homeschoolers. “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90: 12 Day 13: Today we are praying that the Lord would grant safety and traveling mercies to those coming to INCH from out of town. “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Psalm 5: 11-12 Day 14: Today we are praying that all who attend, serve at, and/or are in any way connected to the INCH conference would be filled with encouragement while there, and after. “May the Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Day 15: Today we are praying for INCH leaders and conference organizers as the conference approaches. For wisdom, love, discernment, and endurance as they continue to serve the homeschool community in this way. “For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men.” 2 Corinthians 8:21 Day 16: Today we are praying for the vendors as they seek to share resources with the homeschool community that could greatly improve the quality of our homeschools. That they would be blessed just as they seek to bless the attendees. “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8 Day 17: Today we are praying over the used curriculum sale, for logistics, peace to prevail, patients through long lines, and thanksgiving for God’s provision via the gift of quality curriculum at discounted prices. “Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 Day 18: Today we are praying for the marriages represented at the conference. That they would be strengthened and God honoring. “‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female,’ and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.” Matthew 19: 4-6 Day 19: Today we are praying for the teen track: for wisdom to be imparted, clear focus, and servant heartedness to abound. “Know that the Lord is God, it is he who made us, and we are his, we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100: 3 Day 20: Today we are praying that every word spoken at the conference, whether in session, in the hallway, vendor hall, etc will be glorifying to the Lord. "My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord, let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever." Psalm 145:21 Day 21: Today we are praying over the future generations that will be represented at INCH. That they will be set apart now for the Lord, that they will receive his wisdom and love and choose to follow him with whole-hearted devotion. “Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord.” Psalm 102:18 Day 22: Today we are praying for veteran homeschool parents attending INCH to be infused with renewed strength, encouragement,endurance and passion for their children and for homeschooling. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 Day 23: Today we are praying over new or potential homeschool parents to receive boldness, encouragement, and purpose at the INCH conference. Psalm 34:4-5,8, Isaiah 41:10, Phil 4:6-7 Day 24: Today we are praying for the college and career fair: for logistics, communication, and new opportunities to be revealed. “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” Psalm 40:1 Day 25: Today we are praying for the Hands-On fair: that the kids will learn, explore and for hearts to be glad and joyful! “A cheerful heart is good medicine” Psalm 17:22a Day 26: Today we are praying for the logistics of the conference to continue to come together. For everything from the sound system to food trucks to run smoothly and efficiently. “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalms 100:1-2 Day 27: Today we are praying that individual and family relationships with the Lord would be strengthened during the conference. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” 2 Peter 1:3-4 Day 28: Today we are praying against any last minute distraction or attempts to stop us from gathering together at the conference and intentionally commit to gathering in His name to spur one another on in this great homeschooling journey. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1 Day 29: Today we are praying over the Special Needs Symposium. That the parents who attend would be encouraged in their journey. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are beautiful. I know that full well.” Psalm 139: 13-14 Day 30: Today we come before the Lord and ask once again, that every aspect of the INCH conference would be pleasing to him, and that he would receive all glory and honor! “Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

August 31, 2018 by Israel Wayne In the past, MiCHN has responded to media bias against homeschoolers. Particularly, in an article in the Detroit Free Press (DFP). In short, the article by the DPF suggested that because a public school family had seriously abused their children, (CPS had known about the ongoing abuse for eight years), and then attempted to withdraw their children from public school, ALL homeschoolers in the state of Michigan needed to be regulated! It’s obviously a massive logical leap, but one they were willing to take. There is a certain narrative that some in the media wish to present: Public schools are safe and homeschools (parents) are dangerous. We, at MiCHN, and most of the homeschoolers we know and represent, obviously do not share this bias. Are Homeschools Dangerous? Responding to the accusation that homeschools are a cover up for child abuse and neglect, I cite research that demonstrates that there is absolutely no connection between the degree of state regulation of homeschooling and abuse of children, AND the fact that students who are homeschooled are actually 257% LESS likely to be sexually abused than students who are in public schools! We sent this information to the DFP but received no response. While we do not deny that there have been families who claim to homeschool their children who have abused and neglected them, there is no research (including an extensive study from our own federal government) that links homeschooling as a risk factor for child abuse. Are Public Schools Dangerous? The story goes, however, if children were in public schools, where they could be closely monitored by teachers, school counselors, school staff, etc., they would be kept safe from all harm and abuse. It sounds almost as though it’s only when they are homeschooled that abuse can take place, or go undetected. Our previous article, mentioned above, gives ample evidence that just because a child attends a public school, and CPS is aware of his or her abuse at home, that he or she is therefore safe from ongoing abuse from his or her parents. Sending a child to public school does not, in many cases, solve any of the abuse going on at home. But even worse than that, there is significant reason to believe that a child who attends public school faces dramatically increased risk of abuse at school, that he or she does NOT face otherwise. Child Protective Services (CPS) and Public Schools Cover Up Abuse Despite the accusation against homeschoolers that they are keeping their children at home as a cover-up for abuse and neglect, there is a demonstrated example of public schools and CPS doing just that in the Chicago Public School scandal (from a study that exposed them in August of 2018)! According to MSN.com: “The report describes how understaffed and underfunded CPS investigators struggled to process reports of potential sexual harassment, notifications sent to the Department of Children and Family Services, employee misconduct allegations and altercations between students and staff – thousands of reports during the 2016-17 school year alone.” Notice how they claim that if they just had more money, they could start doing their jobs? There were thousands of reports of sexual harassment (including many sexual assaults against children by school staff), in just one school year, in one city! This certainly does not fit the story the media wants us to believe: That public schools are safe havens against all child abuse and homeschools are vile dens of all kinds of abuse and neglect. It’s interesting to me that right after the Chicago story broke, newspapers around the country (including the DFP), immediately started shining the spotlight on homeschoolers, as if they are the real concern. Thankfully, the best DFP could come up with this round was a family who wasn’t even homeschooling (they were in the Lansing area public schools!). To be clear, MiCHN is totally against all forms of child abuse. We believe that those who abuse children should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law utilizing the perfectly adequate child-abuse laws that already exist in Michigan. What we do not believe is that public schools in Michigan are free from even the worst forms of abuse (by teachers and school staff). Let us demonstrate why. Abuse and Neglect of Children by Michigan Public School Staff In July of 2018, NBC News showed video footage of a Detroit public school assistant principal, slamming a 14-yr-old boy to the ground. He was then allegedly punched in the face by a school resource officer, who allegedly broke his jaw. In July of 2018, the Detroit Free Press themselves reported on a Hazel Park lawsuit regarding an 8-yr-old girl who almost lost her finger when a school aide allegedly, “slammed the door closed on Serenity’s finger with such force that her finger was nearly severed.” As similar lawsuit regarding a 7-yr-old boy reported in July, 2018 in Detroit in which, according to a report in The Detroit News: “The teacher kicked Jason out of the classroom and made him sit on the floor,” Marko said Tuesday. “He was trying to get back into the room and she lost her temper and slammed the door and basically guillotined his finger.” Again, the Detroit Free Press reported in March 2018: “A 33-year-old Marshall Public Schools teacher was arrested Tuesday on charges he had sex with a 16-year-old female student…The mother found the daughter with the guy in Marshall…She got her daughter and went home and the daughter told her she has been having sex with the teacher.” In February 2018, WWMT.com reported a 29-yr-old Athens High School teacher who was reportedly having sex with his 16-yr-old student. The DFP in August 2018 reported: “A Troy middle school assistant principal was charged with second-degree home invasion Saturday after she allegedly broke into the home of a student to look for prescription pills…(A) video reportedly showed Buchanan, 47, looking through a purse and drawers and walking through the home. The homeowner said $40 was taken.” In August 2018, an investigation was launched regarding Van Buren Township elementary reading teacher who operates and performs for an X-rated internet porn site with her husband called, “Hot for Teachers.” These are the people who many parents are expecting to keep their children safe! I could go on and on and on with these kinds of stories (just in Michigan!). Years ago, the conservative news site, WorldNetDaily.com started a page of just female teacher / predators who had been arrested for having sex with their students. They complied a massive list, and then had to give up in 2014 because there were so many similar reports each week from across the country, they couldn’t keep up with it. There is a Facebook group called, “The Real Truth About Public Schools” that posts, sometimes dozens of stories EVERY SINGLE DAY of crimes and abuses against children in American public schools. And we haven’t even addressed bullying and cyber-bullying from other students, or school shootings! Students Assaulting Other Students A lawsuit was reported by MLive.com in March 2018 of the sexual abuse, in a teacher-monitored classroom, of a Grandville kindergarten student, by his classmates! “Parents of a boy say he was sexually assaulted in kindergarten by classmates who photographed the abuse on school-issued iPads. Grandville Public Schools, administrators and a teacher are named in a federal lawsuit alleging the district allowed the abuse to occur and failed to conduct a proper investigation after the allegations came to light.” October 2018, Fox17 reported that a 5-yr-old Muskegon Heights boy was reportedly sexually assaulted by his classmate. His mother had this to say, “I leave my son in you guys’ hands to protect him, and I feel like they neglected to protect him.” Also in October 2018, a horrible situation was reported by FOX2 where a 5-yr-old boy was forced to perform oral sex acts on an older elementary student on the school bus. Reportedly, the bus driver did not intervene, and other students just watched. “Parents say what’s even more upsetting is that the school district has not said anything about the incident,” FOX2 reported. This is happening in Kindergarten! Are Students Safer in Public Schools than at Home with Their Parents? While there are those who wish to scrounge around looking for any negligent or abusive parent, who claims to homeschool, as an excuse for regulating all homeschoolers, there is simply no evidence that putting perfectly safe children into a public-school environment makes them safe. I would argue the opposite is true. In the statistically rare occasion that a homeschooled student is being abused, at home, by his or her parents, those parents need to be prosecuted by existing-child abuse laws in the state (just like any other family where abuse takes place). Some may argue that homeschoolers have no one interacting with them to report abuse if it is occuring. The same could be said of public school students during summer break. Should all public school families have mandatory home visits to ensure none of them are abusing their children during the three months their students aren’t in school? The fact is, real homeschoolers interact with their families, their neighbors, their churches, and their communities, just like everyone else. They are also usually involved in some kind of homeschool support group or co-op (like those you can find HERE on our website), with other families, sharing academic classes, team sports, band / music, drama, debate, field trips, etc. It is ultimately people who care who are going to report child abuse, and you can’t create people who care through regulation. Making loving, caring homeschooling parents submit to additional requirements and government red tape like: Standardized testing, annual reporting, home visits, social worker visits, etc., only needlessly burdens them, costs taxpayers huge amounts of money to implement, and burdens a system that MSN.com says is already hyper-extended…just trying to keep up with all of the sexual abuse going on in the public school system alone. Our recommendation to legislators and reporters is to focus on what will actually solve the problem: Enforce the perfectly adequate laws we already have, rather than constantly trying to create new ones. MiCHN is committed to continuing our long legacy of defending homeschooling freedoms in Michigan. We appreciate your support as we stand up for parental rights to keep homeschooling free from unnecessary and useless additional regulation in our state. Please consider becoming a member of MiCHN.