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Time is Running Out......grab your INCH tickets fast!🕗
WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AT INCH! WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: It is officially CONFERENCE WEEK! You can click HERE and download this year's program ahead of time! Within those pages and below you are going to find all you need to know to navigate INCH 2023 confidently. Most importantly, if you have not yet purchased your INCH Conference tickets, you want to do so before the prices go up. You have until 11:59 TONIGHT (MONDAY, 5/15) to purchase your conference tickets at reduced prices.  Full 3 Day All-Access Conference Pass- $60.00  Thursday Only Pass- $25.00 TLC Teen Program- $65.00 (LAST CHANCE to sign up your teens!) Children's Non-program Pass- $15.00 Beginning Tuesday morning, the ticket prices will be as follows through the remainder of the conference: Full 3 Day All-Access Conference Pass- $70.00  Thursday Only Pass- $30.00 Friday Only Pass- $45.00 Saturday Only Pass- $25.00 Children's Program (Giant Cow/Giant Calf) tickets are no longer available online but will be sold at the door as long as space allows- Thurs-Sat-$70/Child Fri-Sat-$60/Child Children's Non-program Pass-$15.00 FRIDAY FAMILY FUN NIGHT ONLY PASS-$10/person or $20.00/Family             **Please note: Friday Family Fun Night tickets can be purchased online ahead of time but at the door, cash and/or Venmo payment are preferred.**     Used Curriculum Sale! Thursday, May 18, 2023 2pm - 6pm Mount Hope Church, Creyts Rd, Lansing, MI in the Event Center Sellers!  You still have time to list your used curriculum until 8am Thursday morning, May 18th! All the information and instructions are here: https://ucs.sudleysprings.com/inch/index.php Shoppers:  Please join us on Thursday from 2pm - 6pm to shop the largest used curriculum sale in the state!!  Come find what you need for next year at majorly discounted prices-- everything conveniently sorted by subject matter and grade-level for your ease and shopping pleasure! :)  We'll have over 14,000+ square feet filled with gently used curriculum for you to browse through.      Four ways to enter the sale:     1.  Purchase a conference all-access pass.      2.  Purchase a family pass for Thursday events only.     3.  List curriculum to sell.  All sellers receive 1 free pass to the sale. (Other Thursday events not included with this pass)     4.  Volunteer to help at the sale.  All volunteers enter the sale at 1pm for free (other Thursday events not included with this pass)   We are blessed to have The Growing Roots leading us in praise and worship for the entirety of the INCH Conference.    Thursday 5/18/23 We are kicking things off quickly on Thursday with an extremely full day. We'll have our Leadership Summit for any and all potential, current, or future leaders in the homeschool community-- or anyone interested in hearing an update from MiCHN leadership, elected officials, and INCH speakers on legal and legislative issues at both the state and national levels! Thursday will also feature quite a bit for your children. Be sure to bring your kids to participate in the Hands-on Fair from 9am-12noon, and also take a stroll through our Young Entrepreneur Expo in the afternoon from 2:00-5:00pm. Teens have a lot going on Thursday! We have 35 colleges, ministries, & post-high school opportunities ready to greet your student at the College and Career Fair from 12:00-3:00pm. During the morning, we also have a free opportunity for any student in 10th grade or older to take the ASVAB Career Exploration Assessment! Please be sure to click here and fill out the form to register separately for your student to take the ASVAB. Teens also have the opportunity to participate in our Teen Leadership Corps through Unbound where your teen will learn leadership skills, the joy of serving, and build relationships to last -- BUT MUST BE REGISTERED BY MONDAY, 5/15, AT MIDNIGHT. Thursday afternoon is the big Used Curriculum Sale!! (see details above) We'll be finishing off Thursday evening with a wonderful opening keynote session that will include most of our speakers for the weekend! Come meet them all, hear their hearts, and catch a glimpse of what the rest of the weekend will hold as they each give us a TED-Talk style introduction.    Friday 5/19/23 Friday is definitely going to be a day full of activities. We will begin with worship and devotional time in the sanctuary, led by Israel Wayne from Family Renewal at 8:30 am.  The exhibit hall officially opens up Friday morning at 9:15 am!  We'll have 4 breakout sessions, a keynote session from Wil and Meeke Addison from Airing the Addisons. Plus, there will be even more opportunities for our Teen Leadership Corps.  Friday evening will conclude with our scheduled Family Fun Night which will be featuring Todd Wilson from Familyman Ministries and the award-winning Christian comedian Bob Cates from Comedy in Motion.   Saturday 5/20/23 Saturday will round out the INCH Conference with even more treats! The Exhibit Hall will once again be open for everyone to shop. We'll have two special sessions Saturday morning. One will be for moms with our Moms and Muffins, which will be featuring Phylicia Masonheimer from Every Woman a Theologian. Dads will also have a special session Saturday morning for Dads and Donuts. This session will be featuring MiCHN President Mike Winter, author of "Man Up!"  We'll also be having our final breakout session Saturday morning. Right after the breakout session, we will have our Regional Meet-ups so you can be sure to not leave the conference without having met someone from around your home area. This part of the conference is so important as we need to make sure to kindle the relationships with those immediately around us. So look for the Regional Meetup signs in the sanctuary of the church as we head into our final keynote address with Todd Wilson.  It will also be during this time that we hold our "Buy it Here!" drawing.        Register
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Breakout Sessions now AVAILABLE!📢🎉
OUR SCHEDULE AND BREAKOUT SESSIONS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE!    At INCH you'll be inspired, informed, and instructed regarding all things homeschooling... plus discipleship, parenting, marriage, and more!  INCH 2023 will be Michigan's 40TH ANNUAL statewide homeschool conference-- the Inspirational Networking Conference for Homeschoolers, by MiCHN. INCH is one of longest-running, most vibrant homeschool conventions in the nation– bringing together authentic speakers with change-your-life vision-casting messages, and exhibitors with passion and knowledge to equip you with tons of ideas, strategies, and resources. Register HERE!  Two and a half days of encouragement... for your whole family!  All-Access Pass includes the following:    Thursday night TED Talks from all of our main speakers  4 Keynote sessions and 6 different break-out workshop periods  Used Curriculum Sale  Huge Exhibit Hall  Hands-On Activities Fair (Parents are expected to stay in attendance with children)   College & Career Fair  Young Entrepreneur's Expo (Click HERE to for more details)   Homeschool Leader's Summit  Sat. morning Dads & Donuts, Moms & Muffins special sessions  Regional Meet-ups for connecting with homeschoolers near you  Food Trucks and coffee shop on-site ** Children's & Teen's Programs Available for an **EXTRA COST** Join us for our FAMILY NIGHT on Friday evening!!! Bob Cates is going to be amazing!     REGISTER TODAY
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Call to Prayer!🙏🙏🙏
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
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MiCHN's Thoughts on Testing📝📊📓
*MiCHN ALWAYS HAS AND ALWAYS WILL STAND FOR HOMESCHOOL FREEDOM. *MiCHN NEVER HAS AND NEVER WILL ADVOCATE FOR MANDATED TESTING.     We appreciate hearing from homeschool families across the state, and are thankful when people contact us directly to express concerns and ask questions that might arise regarding information we've shared! After receiving multiple questions and concerns regarding MiCHN’s stance on standardized testing, we thought it would be helpful to send everyone some clarification and to include some additional context and background information on the HOMESCHOOL FREEDOM 2023 ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT STUDY. This is an opportunity which we have sent several emails about, posted on our website, and shared with homeschool leaders. This is a completely optional and voluntary testing opportunity available for homeschool research purposes— being offered in conjunction with trusted Christian ministries (NHERI – National Home Education Research Institute and BJU – Bob Jones University Press Testing and Evaluation service) and homeschool freedom fighters across the nation-  NOT any state or government agencies. MiCHN is simply sharing an opportunity for families who DO want to test their children, to participate in this completely safe and anonymous research study so that statistical research proving the effectiveness of homeschooling can be updated.  It is not an initiative begun by MiCHN, nor related specifically to the state of Michigan. It is a national coalition of homeschool freedom advocates seeking to gather a large sampling of data from homeschooling families coast to coast—and MiCHN agreed to share the information with homeschoolers in our state.   MiCHN is NOT suggesting families NEED to test, nor that groups should mandate ANYTHING! Please allow this email to clarify & put to rest any concerns or misunderstandings: ·  MiCHN has stated repeatedly, in various venues, settings, and communications (including our website), that testing is NOT REQUIRED in the state of Michigan – and for that we are extremely grateful and are pro-actively doing all we can to keep it that way!  ·  MiCHN has NEVER suggested that testing of any sort be required—for any reason! Not in order to participate in local homeschool groups/ co-ops/ events, nor to be a member of MiCHN. Any such claims are false and do nothing to help in the fight to maintain the freedoms we hold today. ·  MiCHN has NEVER said that we think all homeschool families in Michigan should test their children. We HAVE suggested recently, however, that IF there are families who DO voluntarily test on a regular basis, or who have contemplated it in the past, they might want to do it THIS year, in order for their children's test results to be included in the national study being sponsored by BJU Press and NHERI. These test results would REMAIN ANONYMOUS & CONFIDENTIAL, and the data would be compiled, never shared individually. ·  MiCHN is NOT benefiting financially or in any other way from this national study. We, at MiCHN, thought it better to pass the blessings onto our families by giving you the opportunity to purchase your tests through our parent portal at a discounted rate of 10% off on your entire purchase. By doing that, we are actually losing any payout that we would normally receive in a partnership like this. We simply believe it is a good opportunity for families, WHO WANT TO TEST, to help update homeschool data nationally and statewide.  MiCHN is 100% against any form of government regulations on homeschooling including, but not limited to, mandatory testing and registration of any sort. In the future, we at MiCHN would ask that you reach out to us personally, and have a conversation if you have questions about what we stand for or advocate for. We will do our best to get back to you as soon as possible, and have volunteer staff members in the office every Tuesday that would be more than willing to have a conversation with you about any particular questions or concerns you may have. As always, MiCHN exists to build bridges and defend homeschool freedom, and  MiCHN WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO ENSURE THAT MANDATORY TESTING (OR REPORTING, OR ANY OTHER INCREASED REGULATION) IS NOT REQUIRED FOR HOMESCHOOLERS IN MICHIGAN. You can reach our office at: 517.481.5994 or [email protected]