Wow, what exciting times we live in! So many things to be concerned about—but also so many opportunities to experience God working in our lives. The political and economic landscape is indeed cooling, but God is moving, causing hearts to warm as His hand touches people’s lives. 

After 25 years of faithful service, Dennis and Roxanne Smith are handing over the reins of INCH, another matter which could potentially cause “concern.” But rest assured that their sacrificial labor of love has built a strong foundation upon which to move forward - one which can withstand the transitional bumps that often seem to present themselves whenever there are changes in leadership.  

Kim and I rejoice at how well “oiled” the INCH machine is, and that Dennis and Roxanne have not in any way abandoned us, but are instead holding our hand through the process of putting together our first INCH convention. The Smiths have been exceedingly gracious with their time, talent, treasure and wisdom. This year’s convention will be outstanding… and while different in some ways, will also be the same in many ways. We can assure you that God’s hand is clearly involved in the passing of the baton from one generation of leadership to the next. 

The Winters began our home school journey 16 years ago when Kim quit teaching at a local Christian school following the birth of our first son. She then started teaching a few children each morning in our home, in effect “home schooling” other people’s children. Her desire to fellowship with other home schoolers and to organize cooperative activities began the ministry of CHESS (Christian Home Educators’ Support System), a Lansing-area home school support group now consisting of over 300 families. While I was slow to ‘buy in’ when it came to deciding how we would educate our own children, over time God softened my heart toward home schooling. Thus for about 12 years, I too, have been involved both in the schooling of our nine children and the leadership of CHESS. 

The Winter family certainly has no lack of things to do, just keeping up with our family, raising and home educating our nine precious blessings- who range in age from a one year old to our sixteen year old who will be graduating from our home school this spring. (Woo-hoo! Our first graduate… a definite milestone.) But we are certain God has called us “for such a time as this” and we are ready to “stand firm.” We know that He has gone before us, faithfully preparing us to continue the ministry of INCH. We are both humbled by the calling and excited by the opportunity. 

We hope you will be joining us at this year’s convention as we strive to make it both as family-friendly and economical as possible!  We will look back at INCH’s roots and celebrate together what God has done in Michigan home schooling over these past 25 years. We will also be discussing the future of Michigan home schooling and how our partnership with Citizens for Traditional Values, a ministry heavily engaged in pro-family legislative matters, can help bring Michigan home educators closer together.  We absolutely must be unified, laboring with one voice in prayer and action, as we work to promote the family, pass on the faith, and preserve our home schooling freedom! 

Our hope and prayer for each one who attends this year’s convention is that you will leave encouraged, equipped, and better informed in matters relating to your family, faith, and freedom.  We will be introducing a new INCH membership program as well, which will continue to enhance the excellent home schooling benefits available at the state-wide level, traditions to which many of you have grown accustomed. 

Kim and I look forward to meeting many of you in May at this year’s Convention!  We welcome your partnership in this ministry that was birthed out of a need to assist Michigan home educators during a difficult political and economic climate. Now here we are again in another rather “difficult time” in our state. We are very blessed to currently be enjoying home school freedom, however we must remain vigilant if that is to continue.  Together, with God’s direction, we are confident we can both weather this current storm and successfully defend the brighter day brought in by the many home school heroes like Dennis and Roxanne, who’ve gone before us! 

In His Love and Service, 

Mike & Kim Winter