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ABOUT WISCONSIN CHEA Wisconsin CHEA is a non-profit (501c3) ministry dedicated to serving ALL home educators in the state of Wisconsin. Our leadership are all born-again Christians, and we have dedicated this ministry to the Lord Jesus Christ. We continually ask for His guidance in our lives, and seek His face daily. We give all the glory to Him alone. Although we make no apologies for conducting the affairs of this organization as dedicated Christians, let us make it clear that CHEA's activities and services are available to all home educators regardless of their religious affiliation, or even none at all.
The board also seeks direction, guidance and advice from a multitude of wise, veteran home educating parents and advisors from across the country who serve as wise counsel for this ministry. CHEA maintains an informative website, conducts media interviews upon request, and works diligently to inform the general public about the benefits of home education. CHEA keeps the public informed of all homeschool news, both state and nationwide. We also keep up-to-date on any issues that will affect the home educating family, whether local, statewide or nationwide. CHEA conducts an annual statewide home educators’ conference in the spring of each year, featuring exciting, informative home-school speakers for parents, teens and children, on a variety of subjects that pertain to the entire home educating family. CHEA also runs the LARGEST home school used book sale in the state of Wisconsin at the annual conference. This used book sale helps home educating parents to be good stewards of their hard-earned money. Also, conference attendees are able to sell their used materials by following CHEA’s simple used book sale guidelines, thereby earning some extra money for their families. At conference, we also feature a fully loaded vendor hall, full of new curriculum and materials from vendors across the country. The conference is designed to assist the home educating parent in conducting their home schools in a capable and God-honoring fashion. CHEA may also host other events throughout the year. We here at CHEA also strive to serve the local support group, and there are many across the state of Wisconsin, representing hundreds, even thousands of home educating families. We have a new program in place, as of January of 2011, whereby CHEA offers an opportunity for support groups to earn extra money for their group activities and programs, by participating in our brand new SCRIPS program!! We pray that this new opportunity will allow us to serve and support not only the individual home educating families, but many local support groups across the state of Wisconsin as well. CHEA encourages the home educating family to give their children the best and most well-rounded education they can. To that end, we offer in-service teaching seminars, both at conference, and other times of the year as well. We have supported many educational programs for home-educated students, including but not limited to: state and national tournaments in forensics and debate; science fairs, drama programs, music, spelling bees, art classes, and much more. CHEA has upon occasion been called upon to conduct media interviews and to speak to legislators regarding home education in Wisconsin. In the future, we wish to host an annual legislative day in Madison to inform and educate both parents and students. CHEA looks forward to serving ALL home educating families and support groups in the state of Wisconsin for many years to come!!
CHEA'S BEGINNINGS
Wisconsin Christian Home Educators Association was founded in 1990 by Al and Jan Gnacinski. Through many personal contacts in the late 1980's, Al and Jan realized that there was a great need in Wisconsin for a uniquely Christian statewide organization. Responding to that need, Al and Jan hosted the very first Gregg Harris conference here in Wisconsin, with the help of their local support group. If it had not been for a direct leading of the Holy Spirit, CHEA would have never gotten off the ground. But Al and Jan felt they must be obedient to the Lord, and despite obstacles and some controversy, went ahead and founded the ministry. It is important to note that no organization, ministry, or person funded CHEA's beginnings. Through the Lord Jesus Christ's guidance, ONLY Al and Jan Gnacinski began this ministry, with their own personal funds and effort.
The first newsletter, written by Jan, was published in the spring/summer 1990 issue of The Teaching Home magazine, a national publication. After that issue appeared, a flood of letters arrived, confirming the fact that there was indeed a need out there and showing a welcoming of such a ministry. During this period of time, Al and Jan had help from their local support group members, plus personal home-school friends. However, although each one was enthusiastic and extremely supportive of such a new ministry, they all had commitments that kept them from taking leadership roles in the ministry. Therefore, Jan had to put a notice in The Teaching Home magazine to alert folks that help was needed. Al and Jan selected Ron and Karla Gay to serve as the other two initial board members, as a result of that notice in the magazine. A few years later, with their schedules more free, original proponents of CHEA came on board- namely Bryn and Colleen Purdy. The board then elected Bob and Bev Hengemuhle to serve on the board. Much work was done by these fine Christian folks in the name of the Lord for homeschooling here in Wisconsin. Al and Jan are very thankful for all the help they received to keep Wisconsin CHEA active and alive throughout the early years.
STATEMENT OF FAITH The Wisconsin CHEA board of directors holds to this statement of faith. We do not require that our vendors, speakers, supporters or attendees hold to this statement, but we do ask that they not hinder it in any way.
1. We believe that the Bible is the infallible, inerrant Word of God and it is the supreme and final authority for all matters of faith and life.
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
3. We believe in the perfect deity and perfect humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His bodily resurrection, His ascension and His bodily return in power and glory.
4. We believe that man was created in the image of God, but chose to sin and is therefore lost and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone are saved.
5. We believe that salvation is the gift of God brought to man by grace and is received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for man’s sin, through His shed blood.
6. We believe that the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict men of their sin, indwell, guide, instruct and empower the believer for godly living and service.
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers through our common faith in Jesus Christ.
SUPPORT GROUPS--If you would like to list your support group with Wisconsin CHEA, and let others know you exist, please contact us any time. We require that your leadership agree with our statement of faith in order to be listed with Wisconsin CHEA.
We will send you mailings periodically, and send you packets of brochures at conference time. We also have a brand new support system set up, whereby CHEA can contribute much-needed funds for your programs and activities, with very little work on your part. This program just began in January, 2011!! Call or write for more information!!
We are here to serve you, and if you would like a guest speaker from CHEA to speak at one of your support group meetings, please contact us any time.
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