Davis Carman

Davis Carman is passionate about being a husband and father. He and the wife of his youth, Rachael, have been happily married since 1986. They live near Charlotte, North Carolina where they are raising their seven children. The kids range in age from 5 to 18 with two boys on one end, two boys on the other, and three girls tucked safely in the middle. The Carman family has been enjoying the adventures of the homeschool lifestyle since 1996 when God “got their attention.”

Davis graduated magna cum laude from Vanderbilt University in Mechanical Engineering. He continued his education at Purdue University where he received his Master of Science degree. The first ten years of his career included research and development in the aerospace and automotive industries. The second ten years he was the general manager a growing plastic manufacturing company.

Davis is active in his local church having served in various capacities including Awana Commander, Sunday school teacher, deacon, and elder. Since 2002, he has served on the board of North Carolinians for Home Education (NCHE), currently fulfilling the responsibilities of administrative vice president. He is also the North Carolina Ambassador for The Home School Foundation - a ministry dedicated to helping homeschool families in need.

In June 2008, Davis purchased Apologia Educational Ministries - a leading publisher of creation-based science curricula, designed specifically for homeschoolers. Under Davis’ leadership, Apologia is expanding into other product lines including practical and inspirational books for the homeschool community. He introduced the ApologiaWorld™ e-newsletter in October 2008 and the first ApologiaLive™ conference event for homeschool moms in February 2009 in Baltimore. Davis is committed to staying true to the Apologia mission - to help homeschoolers learn, live, and defend the Christian faith.

A Christian radio station manager had this to say about Davis and Rachael. “[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."

Rachael Carman

Rachael Carman is a wife and mother and she is passionate about both. She and Davis have been married almost 22 years and they have been blessed with seven children ranging in age from 5 to 18. She has enjoyed speaking and encouraging women's groups for over 10 years. It is her heart's deepest desire to become all God has planned for her to be for His kingdom's glory. She loves challenging other women to dare to desire the same thing - to live in reckless obedient faith. Her journey into home schooling was a bumpy one, but she is so grateful for the God-adventure and the daily experience of His faithfulness and grace. 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!

In the course of all of the demands of family life, God has given Rachael some amazing opportunities. She wrote a book for Focus on the Family in 2005 titled SoundBites from Heaven. The book discusses fifty two different statements parents make to their kids which Rachael argues echo sentiments God would like to communicate to each of us, His children. She tells stories from her own life throughout the book weaving her wit and wisdom into each one. At the end of the short readings she included a few questions of personal introspection for the readers consideration and growth. Rachael believes that God wants to communicate His love and plan for each of us personally and that He does this in a variety of ways including our communication with our kids.

As a direct reflection of her heart's desire to affirm, encourage, challenge, inspire and celebrate motherhood, Rachael led the first Real Refreshment Retreat in 2003. It was her vision to give homeschool moms an opportunity to get away and revive themselves through Bible study and prayer as they faced the special challenges of homeschooling. The most unique aspect of these events was the three separate hours set aside for prayer. Worship, teaching, and fellowship were also included in the weekend. Many moms were blessed through the retreats. Now through the ApologiaLive conference for homeschool moms, it is her hope to expand on that ministry and create a weekend that will energize and invigorate the homeschool mom with inspirational worship and speakers.

David Hazell

David Hazell has been involved in homeschooling since 1987, several of those years as the primary homeschooling parent. The Hazell family spent eight years in Russia where David served in Bible translation in Siberia and helped coordinate Bible translations into 80 languages. His six children often ministered with him as he traveled throughout Russia and Europe. David and his wife, Marie, moved their family back to the United States in 2000 and now devote the majority of their time to the development of My Father’s World curriculum with the dual goal of providing support for Bible translation and raising up generations of families who see the world through God’s eyes and live according to that knowledge.

Jim Weiss

Many homeschoolers almost feel like they know this guest because he's been in our living rooms, kitchens and vehicles, telling his versions of many of the classics in literature! This year, you'll get to hear him live at BC CHEC! Jim Weiss will be presenting at the adult program, the teen program and the children's program – so the whole family will get to enjoy our favorite storyteller! Not only that, but we've planned a Story Night with Jim Weiss for the entire family to enjoy together (Friday evening – more details to follow). With over 30 years of storytelling behind him, Jim has mastered the craft of bringing to life rich, fine literature. However, storytelling goes well beyond entertainment for Jim Weiss. He seeks to bond and build community through the creative experience of telling stories and to equip his audiences to become great storytellers themselves!