Christine Young
@YoungMommy
Christine is married to her best friend, Ray, and together they have seven very active children, all ages 10 and under. She’s a busy mama, spending most of her days running after her tribe in the Sacramento area. She is the proud owner and author of From Dates to Diapers, where she shares about life with little ones, offers advice and encouragement, and writes her thoughts and opinions on some of the greatest products on the market – those that make family life FUN.
In addition to being a wife, mom, teacher, laundry-hater, dish-washer, and boogie-wiper, Christine loves to connect with other moms in various social media spaces. She also enjoys building relationships with companies and brands on a daily basis. Christine was recently tapped as one of Nielsen’s Top 50 Power Moms, is a Backyard Discovery Ambassador, and one of theWalMart Moms.
Heidi St John
@heidistjohn
Heidi married her college sweetheart, Jay, in 1989 and, shortly afterward, they went into full- time ministry together. Since then, the St. Johns have become happy parents of seven children (ages NB–19). In 2004, after 17 years of pastoring, Jay and Heidi founded First Class Homeschool Ministries, a parachurch ministry that helps churches reach out to homeschooling families by hosting a homeschool cooperative. Jay and Heidi also speak and lead worship at homeschool conferences and other related events. In 2010, Heidi’s first book, titled after one of her favorite workshops, was published. The Busy Homeschool Mom’s Guide to Romance is combines light-hearted humor with a straightforward look at the importance of nurturing marriage throughout the homeschooling years. Heidi and her husband Jay were recently featured on Family Talk with Dr. James Dobson.
Rachael Carman
Rachael Carman
Rachael is a wife and mother and she is passionate about both. She and Davis have been married 23 years and they have been blessed with seven children ranging in age from 6 to 19. Her journey into homeschooling included a bumpy start, but she is so grateful that God brought her to this place. She is thankful for the daily experience of His faithfulness and grace in this adventure of a lifetime.
Rachael has been on the board of North Carolinians for Home Education since 2002 where Davis serves as Administrative Vice President. A year later, she started Real Refreshment Retreats for homeschool moms. Rachael had the privilege to author a book for Focus on the Family in 2005 entitled Soundbites from Heaven – What God Wants Us to Hear When We Talk To Your Kids.
The most recent step in her homeschool journey has been to enter the world of homeschool curriculum publishing. In June 2008, Rachael and Davis became the new owners of Apologia Educational Ministries. God has given them a vision to expand the ministry of Apologia by way of bringing the mom’s conference under its umbrella. The first Apologia Live conference was held in Baltimore in 2009. The Apologia mission, is to help homeschool families learn, live, and defend the Christian faith.
Rachael has enjoyed speaking and encouraging homeschool groups for over 10 years. It is her heart’s desire to become all God has planned for her to be for His glory. She loves challenging others to dare living in reckless obedient faith. Rachael is quick to admit her many imperfections and share stories that highlight her shortcomings and the redemptive hand of Jesus Christ. Her humor will put you at ease, her honesty will surprise you, and her heart will inspire you to go deeper, stand firm, and be strong!
A Christian radio station manager had this to say about Rachael and Davis. “They have the unique ability of turning their personal experiences with homeschooling into encouraging lessons for all of us… and they are lessons that transcend homeschooling. They are about a life devoted to The Truth. God has used them to uplift, refocus, and teach many people, myself included.”
Rebecca Ingram Powell
@2MomSeriously
Rebecca is a pastor’s wife, a veteran homeschooling mom of 15 years, and a nationally-known author and speaker. For over a decade, she has inspired and equipped moms in every season of parenting with her dynamic speaking and writing style, tackling parenting issues with heart, laughter, and always from the foundation of biblical truth. She is the author of several books including, Season of Change: Parenting Your Middle Schooler with Passion and Purpose. She has served as a featured writer for ParentLife magazine (LifeWay Christian Resources) since 2003, and has published hundreds of articles in publications and online venues including HomeLife, Baptist Press, Rick Warren’s Ministry Toolbox, The P31 Woman, Focus on the Family, Home Educating Family, and Crosswalk.com. In recent years, Rebecca’s ministry has expanded to include teen Bible studies and conference events for girls with Pure In Heart Ministries. A true Southerner, Rebecca’s warmth and openness combined with her passion for today’s families has earned her a guest spot on several national venues including LeSEA Ministries’ Harvest show, FamilyLife Today with Dennis Rainey, and Revive Our Hearts with Nancy Leigh DeMoss.
Rebecca and her husband Rich were college sweethearts and today live in a suburb of Nashville, Tennessee. The Powells are members of First Baptist Church, Madison, where Rich serves bi-vocationally as Minister of Missions. Rebecca continues to homeschool her teen sons, David and Derek, while daughter Danya, a homeschool graduate, is the frontwoman for the band DANYA and worship leader at Generation Church in nearby Portland. Connect online at Rebecca’s daily blog, Mom Seriously, where she shares encouragement and insight on all things parenting, including an ongoing series offering moms the information they need on the timely topic of “Porn and Purity.”
Zan Tyler
Zan Tyler
Zan Tyler is the director of Apologia Press, where her goal is to support homeschooling parents by bringing them the very best in authors and biblically-sound resources. A longtime speaker, writer, and homeschooling advocate, Zan derives deep joy from speaking to and encouraging homeschooling parents across the country and around the globe. “After speaking at a conference in Japan, I spent time with a mother who said, ‘You gave me strength because you gave me Christ.’ My heart soared because my greatest desire is to give parents a sustainable vision for raising their children for Christ while providing them the very best education.”She is also the author of 7 Tools for Cultivating Your Child’s Potential.
Zan and her husband, Joe, homeschooled each of their three children from kindergarten through high school, for a total of 21 years. When she began homeschooling in 1984, she was threatened with jail by the South Carolina State Superintendent of Education. After prolonged legal battles for the rights of her family and homeschoolers in her state, Zan founded the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools (SCAIHS) in 1990 and served as its president for ten years. She has been honored as the South Carolina Homemaker of the Year, and in 1998 the governor awarded her the Order of the Palmetto, the highest South Carolina honor a civilian can receive. She has appeared on NBC’s Today Show with Katie Couric.
More recently, Zan has served as the National Grassroots Director for ParentalRights.org. She is also a popular columnist, and her articles appear in a variety of online and print publications including HSLDA’s Court Report.