April 30, 2009 1:52 PM
Mike Farris HSLDA, Parental Rights Amendment
A couple days ago, I highlighted the Home School Legal
Defense Association and their history of protecting the right of parents to
educate their children at home. This is a complicated business, as
homeschooling is governed by state laws. For 26 years, HSLDA has
monitored all 50 states for legislation affecting homeschool families, kept
members informed on any threats to their rights - as well as defended their
members from any encroachments on their individual liberty to homeschool.
I joined HSLDA in 1990 when I began homeschooling my kids in
Mike was also founder of Blue Ridge Bible Church - which was a magnet for homeschool families and which we ended up going to after a couple years because it proved to be a perfect fit - homeschooling or not - for our family.
Though our family is now Catholic, I hearken back to the years at BRBC and a pastor named Joe Holman - who didn't just preach grace, but lived it - and feel grateful that I got to know Mike Farris and his family even just a little.
Seeing them in church every Sunday, I couldn't help but
marvel at the legacy Mike and Vickie had built beyond their own 10
grandchildren and ever-growing flock of grandchildren (often sitting on their grandfather's lap). There was the church I loved more than any evangelical church I'd ever attended. There was
If Mike's work on the Parental Rights Amendment parallels his work on HSLDA, we will have yet another Farris legacy. With family freedom under attack - and I know firsthand the difference between a state where children belong to their parents (VA) and one they are regarded as property of the state (CA) - Mike's assessment of current judicial trends has once again inspired a proactive approach to safeguarding our liberty.
I have a feeling that in a few years this will be the fourth branch of the Farris legacy.
Like any public figure committed to truth and righteousness, Mike takes a lot of hits in the press. On a local level, he is often misrepresented and maligned. Which is why I am happy to have a chance to share my own personal observations to affirm this piece which just appeared in WorldNetDaily. Interesting that the legacy theme was what struck this writer too:
The man behind Parental Rights Amendment
Farris championed homeschooling, built college, local church
Posted: April 28, 2009By Alyssa Farah
© 2009 WorldNetDaily
Michael Farris, the man behind the Parental Rights AmendmentPURCELLVILLE, Va. - Nearly 30 years ago, Michael Farris, a young lawyer and political activist from Washington state, was listening to Tim LaHaye's television show when Dr. Raymond Moore came on as a guest, talking about the merits of homeschooling, a budding movement in the U.S. at the time.
After hearing the program, Farris immediately consulted his wife, Vickie, and they agreed to pull their oldest child out of school in favor of home education.
It was a moment that changed the course of Farris' life and triggered a life's work that would greatly impact American culture and politics.
Over the next two decades the Farrises homeschooled their 10 children. He also went on to found the Home School Legal Defense Association, a law firm dedicated to defending the rights of families to educate their own children at home, in 1983. In 2000, he founded Patrick Henry College, a school that has gained the nickname of "Harvard for Homeschoolers," since the majority of its students are former homeschool students who hold average SAT scores comparable to Ivy League schools. He also founded a local house of worship, Blue Ridge Bible Church, which now serves a congregation of more than 500.
Read entire article here
Please remember to pray for Mike Farris, his family, and all who work to defend family freedom.
Posted in Homeschooling | Permalink
Comments
I loved Vicky Farris' book: " A Mom Just Like You". It's a bit of an older book, but it is full of so much wisdom. She is truly a woman of faith.
Her story on giving up birth control was thought provoking, as well as all her insights about homeschooling. The Farris family is not afraid to be politically incorrect. It is refreshing.
Posted by: Lisa | April 30, 2009 3:10 PM
The children and I met Mike Farris about 5 yrs. ago when he was in our area speaking on behalf of a local political candidate.
He was awesome!
Just a few days before we met him, he sat with Dr. James Dobson, Dennis Rainey, Chuck Colson, and a couple of other "greats" as President Bush signed the Partial Birth Abortion ban.
At the time, all presidents--past and present, were my 7 yr. old son's heroes, so it was extra special when he shook Michael Farris' hand. I told my son he was shaking the hand of the man who shook the hand of the president of the USA. It was a serious hero type of moment for my son.
As I watched and listened to this powerful, but yet simple and gentle man, I couldn't help but think that we were in the presence of greatness.
Because we believe in HSLDA and their mission, we've been members since our oldest was 5 or 6 yrs. and as of a few years ago, we are now life long members.
Barbara, I think it's great that you're drawn your reader's attention to him and his legacy.
His work will live for generations. Praise God!
Posted by: von | April 30, 2009 8:42 PM
We got to hear Mike speak at a homeschool convention last month. He really is a godly man who is doing much to protect our families. Thanks for sharing this!
Posted by: Lori | May 24, 2009 12:06 PM
