Greetings!
It's almost Christmas! We hope you are enjoying this wonderful season with those you love. The softly falling snow has created a sense of calm here at our home, and we are enjoying the quiet that it brings. This truly is a wonderful time of the year... a season for giving and for reflecting on what God so generously gave to us through Jesus Christ. Amazing love.
2008 was a busy year for First Class. We've prayed with parents in California as the courts threatened homeschool freedoms, spent time with Russian believers in Sa cramento and met with pastors in Tennessee and Missouri.
We met many parents who plan on homeschooling their children in 2009 because they are becoming increasingly aware of just how powerful education is. Education is about much, much more than teaching math and reading. Our educational system is playing a huge role in shaping the hearts and
minds of our children. We cannot underestimate the fact that education, by definition, shapes the world view of our children. This is just one reason we are so passionate about strengthening homeschooling families.
If you haven't seen our new promotional video
about the importance of education, you can find it at RaisingOurLeaders.com. Last October, at the FCHM fall benefit, guest speaker Gregg Harris said that every educational option has it's problems. He pointed out that when we choose to homeschool, we also choose the problems that come with homeschooling! This is so true! Homeschooling is not easy. But the benefits far outweigh the struggles. Homeschooling is a tremendous tool in the hands of godly parents.
I was meeting with some friends from the Portland co-op a few weeks ago, and we started discussing how we would describe our vision in one sentence or tagline. After a few minutes, here's what we chose: "Homeschooling can be difficult... finding support shouldn't be."
That's why we do what we do.
At FCHM, our mission is to support homeschooling parents through the local church
and offer real, tangible support through building homeschool co-ops and
support groups. We hope you will join with us in re-claiming the hearts of our children through supporting our efforts to build Christ-centered co-ops for homeschoolers around the world. First Class has grown tremendously this year ~ and we're looking forward to what God has for us as we follow Him into 2009.
On behalf of the Board and staff of First Class Homeschool Ministries, we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Thank you for your support - both in prayer in through giving. It makes a tremendous difference!
From our family to yours,
Founders of First Class Homeschool Ministries
Please consider supporting FCHM monthly.
Just $10 per month makes a huge difference... thank you!
*please note: you will need to choose "monthly" giving.
   PS: We're growing! Welcome to the newest FCHM co-ops: Happy Valley, OR Gresham, OR Newman Lake, WA Mount Juliet, TN Mount Olive, IL First Class Homeschool Ministries:
Strengthening Homeschooling FamiliesFCHM has been blessed by the tireless efforts of these dear friends. Thank you for all your help in 2008, we thank God for you! Board of Directors: Special Thanks:
Jay and Heidi St. John Jennifer Hall, Anna O'Keefe
Allen and Joyce Kvalvik Ken Wilde, Shasta Furiya
Steve and Jane Lambert The Nelsons, Lisa Nichol
Scott Croucher, Advisory Board Alex and Julie Schoening
Gretchen Bossio, Director of Development Esther Lasyone, The Butlers
Carol VanBoxtel, The Frakes
Karre and Teresa Hyde
Will and Kelsi Pollard
Julie Standard, Dick Jones
Randy and Polli Turner
Bruce Shortt
Paul and Gena Suarez
First Class Clark County
Lewis and Marcia Young
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