OCHEC Convention

The Bible is the word of God. It is composed of 66 books, 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. How do we know they all belong in the Bible, and that none are missing? How did Jesus ensure that we have the right books?

Henry was born in Taiwan and grew up an atheist and evolutionist. After moving to Costa Rica at the age of 12 and then to Toronto at the age of 15, he heard the gospel. As his many doubts and questions were answered one by one, the truth dawned on him- there is a God, and He is the God of the Bible. Contrary to other worldviews, Christianity is based on solid scientific, historical, and archaeological evidence. Henry graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School and works as a family doctor. He regularly preaches and teaches apologetics topics at churches, fellowships, schools, and conferences.

In young adults, careful vision and thought are sometimes left behind, overshadowed by sheer energy and drive. What the Lord gives to our young adults is impressive and also makes me ready for a nap. But that energy and drive requires direction. Vision is carefully imagining a future with God for ourselves and for others, crafting and guiding that boundless energy and drive. While we are not given the script of God’s will for our lives, we are called to live with wisdom. Join us as we consider visioning- how to approach the future with God and with wisdom. Wisdom in the Bible offers tips, and tricks, as well as traps to watch out for. Nap not included.

Richard serves as a Pastor at Stone Ridge Bible Chapel in Hamilton, Ontario and balances this role with a position at Karis Disability Services. He’s got 5 wonderful kids with his too-good-to-be-true wife, Shelley. He holds two seminary graduate degrees specializing in Biblical Greek and Hebrew. When he’s not at work or home, you can find him doing something athletic: swimming, biking, or cutting down trees. His life and work are centred around his Saviour Jesus Christ.

Mary Poppins knew the secret – a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down! How can we add some sweetness to our days and fun to our schooling? Board games! There is so much joy to be had in the little moments of our lives, as we live and grow together. Board games and activities are an amazing way to change the pace of your day and inject it with some fun and energy! Whether it’s tea with the queen’s maid, spelling on the trampoline, or hoarding all the resources, there is much adventure to be had. Mother-and-son duo of Jo and Jaden will share their favourite games and creative escapades for every age. Let’s have fun… grow in character… and win the longest road.

Jo is a part of a second generation homeschooling family. As a mama of 6, she has been teaching for over 25 years. Her house is full of boys and noise and she wouldn’t want it any other way. Coming from a family of hockey fans, she serves her community as the convener for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hockey Division. In her natural habitat, a good cuppa tea and her latest yarn project are never far from hand.

Join David Redekop and explore AI’s transformative role in Christian homeschooling. Discover advantages like personalized lesson plans, instant feedback, and customized curricula that adapt to your child’s pace—freeing you for deeper discipleship. Uncover risks: data privacy breaches, over-reliance eroding critical thinking, screen addiction, and biased content clashing with biblical values. Gain practical strategies to harness AI ethically, safeguarding your children’s hearts and minds for God’s glory.

David Redekop is the founder and CEO of ADAMnetworks. He is one of OCHEC’s most requested return speakers. Early in his career, he collaborated closely with the chief actuary of a major international life insurance company, developing early AI-driven systems for the finance and insurance sectors. David feels strongly about the need to stay ahead of the curve so technology can serve people and not the other way around. Based in London, Ontario, David is driven by a deep commitment to protect people and organizations in an increasingly connected world. David and his wife Gredel are blessed to have 5 sons, the youngest of which is still in homeschool, now in Grade 7.

Sometimes life is messy. It’s more Pinterest-fail than Pinterest-perfect. Get ready for the adventure of high school with a realistic roadmap and explore the rhythms that can anchor your confidence. In her 25+ years of homeschooling, Jo has navigated medical complexity, starting over, prodigals, seasons of uncertainty, proud-mama moments and deep fulfillment. She’ll share the highs and the lows, and everything inbetween… with the hope that you’ll be filled with encouragement for the journey ahead.

Jo is a part of a second generation homeschooling family. As a mama of 6, she has been teaching for over 25 years. Her house is full of boys and noise and she wouldn’t want it any other way. Coming from a family of hockey fans, she serves her community as the convener for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Hockey Division. In her natural habitat, a good cuppa tea and her latest yarn project are never far from hand.

Jaden Cafazzo, a student entering his second year at Redeemer University will cover topics about a homeschooler’s journey toward university, from preparation to work ethic. He will discuss his own journey, such as how the switch from homeschool to university went as well as some suggestions and advice to upcoming university students.

Jaden Cafazzo is a first-year student at Redeemer University. He was homeschooled all the way through his education, including high-school, and will share how his homeschooling has prepared him for his life entering into university. In his free time, Jaden enjoys skateboarding, card magic, and board games.

Prepare your children to navigate a shifting spiritual landscape with confidence, conviction, and Christ-centered character. Discover why this matters for homeschool families today, Understanding the Landscape, Biblical Foundation for Standing Firm, Practical Strategies for Homeschool Families and Commit to teaching courage and conviction at home.

As a veteran homeschool mom, artist and Colson Fellow, Vanessa works alongside her husband Floyd for The Voice of the Martyrs Canada. Much of her work involves speaking at and developing events, educational and special projects, women’s ministry events and developing monthly VOM magazine Table Talk unit studies for families. For the past 26 years she has spoken at conferences and women’s retreats across Canada in this capacity. This ministry aims to create an awareness of the persecution leveled against Christians around the world, while actively providing tools to mentor the Body of Christ, both domestically and internationally, to grow through adversity.

Are you struggling to teach elementary-level science and nature study at home? Science doesn’t have to be daunting! In this hands-on workshop, you’ll explore several fun and exciting science experiments and nature projects using everyday items from around the house. Get ready to engage with easy, accessible activities that make learning science enjoyable for both you and your children!

Mary-Ann Meyer is a homeschool mom, business owner (CuriOdyssey Canada), and nature educator. Her heart is to see children learn more about God as they explore science and nature. She designs and runs workshops for summer camps, co-ops, and homeschool groups. Mary-Ann has a B.A. in English, an Ontario Master Naturalist certificate, micro-credentials in Aquatic Ecology, Wildlife Management, and Climate Change and Sustainability, and is currently working through a Children’s Ministry Leadership Certification course.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings is more than an epic adventure—it is a story shaped by a deeply Christian vision of the world. Within Middle-earth, Tolkien explores timeless themes of faith, temptation, courage, and sacrifice, while presenting a striking range of leaders: humble servants & power-hungry tyrants, faithful stewards & tragic failures. This workshop invites homeschooling parents to examine how Tolkien portrays leadership through characters such as Aragorn, Frodo, Gandalf, and Denethor. By tracing these examples, participants will learn how to help their children discern the difference between worldly power and Christ-like servant leadership—and how to form young hearts to follow the Way with humility, courage, and hope.

Jeremy is an educator and homeschool dad, serving as a teacher and adjunct professor of history, classical studies, and English literature at several institutions, including Redeemer University, Heritage College & Seminary, and Hillfield Strathallan College. He is the author of three books: J.R.R. Tolkien: Christian Maker of Middle-Earth (biography, 2023), Undiminished Returns: Poems of a Christian Life (poetry, 2020), and All Things New: Essays on Christianity, Culture & the Arts (a series of essays on art and faith, 2018). He and his wife, Laurie, have homeschooled their four children for over twenty years.

This workshop equips parents with ways to support their child’s development within the home school environment. With home school, we can customize our child’s education to focus on strengths, build up confidence in areas of weakness, and explore and nurture talents. With encouragement and practical ideas, Alli hopes to share resources to help you begin and support you in your home school.

Alli Hunt is a coffee loving, imperfect homeschooling Mom of four (two with identified needs) who navigates a “beautifully hectic” life by relying on God’s grace. She actively advocates for her children’s needs, and desires to encourage and build confidence in other families on this journey.