Over the past two years, Mark Hamby has been keynote speaker for 26 conferences and has conducted hundreds of seminars for parents, teachers, pastors, teenagers, and married couples. This year we are excited to announce three additional seminars that focus on character, natural abilities, and family dysfunction . The overwhelming positive response so far can only be attributed to the power of God as Mark is keenly aware that God's strength is only made perfect in weakness. The uniqueness of Mark's seminars is that they are so refreshingly transparent. At the end of most of his sessions, there are generally tears as broken men and women become filled with hope and a renewed vision for a Christ-like life and family. Some have said that the seminars are powerful because of his transparency, while others say it is because of the biblical insights; but Mark knows that it is God alone Who can heal the brokenhearted and set the captive free!
"I want to recommend Mark Hamby to you as a
gifted conference speaker. He is probably best noted for his
work with Home Schoolers, but his keen interpretation of
Scripture mixed with an unusual story-telling ability, I have
found to be effective for all types of conference ministry. God
speaks through Mark to touch hearts of the audience. I have
found his ministry a blessing not only to our guests, but to
myself as well."
--Jonathan S. Oldham
Executive Director, Harvey Cedars Bible Conference
"Hearing you talk in person really helped things fall in place for me. I think I may be starting to get it. I listened to your The Education of a Child tape on Saturday and it made a lot more sense this time. I am supposed to be a servant to my children. My job is not to force them to do what they need to do, it's to serve them so they can do it."
--A needy mom and wife
"I want to again express my gratitude for your transparency when you give seminars. I have been listening to some tapes of yours from CHAP this past year and find that I have to listen to them over and over to try to retain all the information you communicate. I think I appreciate you the most because I can relate to you based on where I am at now with my parenting struggles. Thank you for your encouraging talks and your convicting manner of communicating. One cannot listen to you and remain unchanged!"
--Appreciative of your ministry.
“Although my preschool director has been attending the conventions, it was a first time experience for me. It was such a blessing and encouragement for me to hear for the first time Mark Hamby and his marvelous message and story of his own life and family. It has lifted and lightened my spirit and renewed hope for my children, my four boys in particular on how to lead them in following our footsteps in following the shepherd and Lord of our life.”
--Victoria Almosara
Executive Director, Springs of Living Water
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Seminar and Workshop Descriptions:
Title: The Strong Willed Parent
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” One only has to listen to find the heart of a child. Once found, it is essential that we don't begin to control, pressure, or manipulate in order to change behavior. Changed behavior must be the result of a changed heart. Anything less leads only to hypocrisy, rebellion. Too often parents depend on rules as the primary enforcer of behavior. Rules can change behavior, but they can't change the heart. When parents begin to see the difference between character flaws and disobedience, applying less pressure and more gentle understanding, children will be more willing to admit fault and seek help from those they love. Children need to hear the beating of our hearts rather than the beating of our voices. Parents will want to join Mark as he relates his experience as a shepherd and the important lesson that you don't become a shepherd just because you own sheep.
Title: Life Transforming Literature
It has been said that you will be the same five years from now as you are today, except for the people you meet and the books you read! Until the age of 22, even while administrating a Christian school, Mark Hamby had never read a book. In fact, he despised both school and reading. Yet God had a plan for his life; He began to rebuild this empty vessel through the influence of some of the most unique literature ever written. Mark discovered that inspiring literature that modeled Christ-like character was the catalyst that awakens a child's drive to become all that God intended . Through an inspiring, informative, and dramatized lecture, Mark will make you laugh and cry as he “demonstrates” the power of literature. You will not want to miss this unforgettable and life-transforming session that has gripped the heart of audiences throughout the US and Canada . An annotated bibliography will be available that will cover preschool through adult Christian literature from the seventeenth, eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.
Title: The 4 Styles of Parenting
An in depth look at four styles of parenting, Dictatorial, Detached, Enmeshed, and Indulgent, will reveal root causes of childhood depression and rebellion. This session will be filled with insights into debate over nature verses nurture and will help parents to see affects of their particular style of parenting. This session will also feature both present day and historical biblical examples of each of these styles, their consequences, and the steps that brake the patterns of harmful behavior.
Title: Preparing Students for Life Not College
Join Mark as he reveals four parenting styles that inhibit the natural developmental stages which bridge the gap between childhood and adulthood. Built on these foundational truths, parents will then be guided through the necessary steps to help their children move from “other dependence” to “independence” to a “Christ-dependent” lifestyle. As young people display bold, voluntary love toward those in authority, they will then be free to follow their God-given calling and destiny.
Title: Uniquely Used of God
Based on the life of Ehud the Benjamite, Mark will unveil the unique strategy that God and his parents used to prepare him to become a skilled and strategic warrior, confident leader, and a skillful entrepreneur. In this seminar we will look at the assessment of a child's natural abilities and the instructive insights that are necessary to prepare each child, teen, and adult for God's ultimate purpose and calling. This seminar promises to be an eye opener for all ages—in more ways than you expect!
Title: Character to the Core
Over the past 24 years, Mark has observed students graduate from Christian Schools and home schools, and still lack the confidence, purpose and skill to follow their dreams. In fact, rarely do they even have “dreams” to fulfill their God-given destinies. He himself switched his major in college numerous times because he lacked not only direction, but the most important element that awakens a child's drive to become all that God intended – inner character. Contrary to popular opinion, the character he speaks of is not determined by one's actions, but by one's values. Focusing and modifying a child's actions apart from their values lends only to hypocrisy, distorts reality, and clouds one's judgment for a life's calling. Parents and teachers will leave this seminar knowing how to identify a child's character or lack thereof, and know how to cultivate the necessary virtues that influence our values; only then will our children be prepared for a purposeful, skillful, and godly life.
Title: Let God's Creatures be the Teachers
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His hand at work.” Join Mark as he presents God's animal kingdom through the lens of well-known scriptures and unique “shepherding” experiences. You will laugh more than you can handle as you discover how God's creatures become the teachers! Be inspired, refreshed, and encouraged to glorify God by enjoying Him!
Title: Uniquely Used of God
Based on the life of Ehud the Benjamite, Mark will unveil the unique strategy that God and his parents used to prepare him to become a skilled and strategic warrior, confident leader, and a skillful entrepreneur. In this seminar we will look at the assessment of a child's natural abilities and the instructive insights that are necessary to prepare each child, teen, and adult for God's ultimate purpose and calling. This seminar promises to be an eye opener for all ages—in more ways than you expect!
Title: Character to the Core
Over the past 24 years, Mark has observed students graduate from Christian Schools and home schools, and still lack the confidence, purpose and skill to follow their dreams. In fact, rarely do they even have “dreams” to fulfill their God-given destinies. He himself switched his major in college numerous times because he lacked not only direction, but the most important element that awakens a child's drive to become all that God intended – inner character. Contrary to popular opinion, the character he speaks of is not determined by one's actions, but by one's values. Focusing and modifying a child's actions apart from their values lends only to hypocrisy, distorts reality, and clouds one's judgment for a life's calling. Parents and teachers will leave this seminar knowing how to identify a child's character or lack thereof, and know how to cultivate the necessary virtues that influence our values; only then will our children be prepared for a purposeful, skillful, and godly life.
Title: Laziness: There is a Lion Outside
When I first began to research the topic of laziness, I found that there was very little work available and less than a handful of books on the subject. It was then that I found a treasury of information recorded over 4000 years ago, along with a fascinating thesis on this subject written in the 1600s. In this seminar, we will explore the four root causes of laziness, and the time-tested remedies that have changed many a lazy child and demanding parent. A slothful person, according to Solomon, “will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing." But “show me a man diligent in his work and he shall stand before kings!” (Proverbs 22)
Title: The Eighth Blessing
One of the most important Old Testament words was quoted by Jesus eight times during one of his very first public appearances. In connection with these eight words, Jesus outlines what Mark believes to be the most important instruction in the Bible. The eighth blessing is not only the key that unlocks understanding for spiritual growth, but will give Christians clear direction that will turn fear to confidence, hate to love, cloudiness to clarity, judgment to mercy, sternness to gentleness, and strife to peace. If mark had his choice to teach one biblical truth for the rest of his life, it would be the truth that is contained in this seminar.
Title: All Things Beautiful in its Time
Join Mark Hamby as he reveals from the book of Ecclesiastes what he believes is one of the greatest literary masterpieces of all time. Reading on a surface level, Solomon appears to be painting a negative picture concerning the futility of life. However, a closer look will reveal that to arrive at this interpretation was purposefully intended by Solomon—but only for those who approached the book on a surface level. This same surface level approach to the book was to parallel one's shallow approach to life. If one lives life on the surface, then all is vanity and vexation of spirit. But for those who desire to dig deeper, will find that Solomon has quite the surprise waiting for them. This is one seminar that will change your perspective on your work, your relationships, and your future.
Title: Resolved Conflicts and Restored Relationships
Join us as we study the conflicts and restoration of an Old Testament family and the significant lesson that changed a man, a family, and an entire nation! Based on the insecurities of Jacob, his rival relationship with his brother, and the lack of relationship between his mother and father, the stage is set for a life of deception—particularly self-deception This session is designed to help parents understand the nature of conflicts, their causes, and their cures. Since most conflicts stem from insecurity, pride, and low self esteem, parents must begin to cultivate a relationship that is based upon an ancient understanding of the blessing. Once a Biblical understanding of this ancient and most misunderstood word in the Bible is developed, parents and teachers will come face-to-face with hidden fears that have blinded and shackled them from receiving the most important gift that their children most earnestly need.
Title: The Education of a Child - the Wisdom of Fenelon
Working with parents and teachers over the past twenty-four years, Mark will present what he believes is the most helpful and inspirational information of our day concerning the education of a child. Gleaning from a 17 th -century gem , The Education of a Child from The Wisdom of Fenelon , Mark will present a “radical reversal” of our traditional approach to a biblical education. Commissioned to educate King Louis XIV incorrigible grandson to become the next king of France , Francois Fenelon wrote and then lived one of the greatest educational treatise's ever written. In fact, in 1802, nearly 150 years later, Fenelon's work was still revered as the most extraordinary educational work on record. Parenting based on gentleness, mentoring, joy, and patience will be among just a few of the highlights of this seminar. Through simple but forgotten common sense ideas, parents will gain an understanding that unlocks the heart and opens the mind. “When the level of fear decreases, the level of reasoning increases.”
Title: The Angry Child, Teen, Parent and Spouse.
This inspiring and challenging session will focus on anger, its root causes, and its cures. Mark Hamby, president of Cornerstone Family Ministries, believes that most childhood and teenage anger is the result of four root causes: fear, frustration, hurt, and selfishness. Through laughter, tears, and much soul-searching, parents will learn to recognize these root causes and deal with them appropriately and compassionately. Watch and be amazed as your children, teens, and spouse respond in ways you never dreamed possible.
Title: Idols of Desperation (marriage)
Marital conflicts are often rooted in fear. Fear, which is another form of insecurity, drives husbands and wives to take rash measures to preserve relationships. This preservation is actually a desperate attempt to maintain and protect one's distorted view of love. Fear and desperation are like cancer and are often undetectable, though sometimes seen in child centered wives and career focused husbands. It is not until couples realize that there is no fear in love for perfect love casts out all fear, that true intimacy can be cultivated. Join Mark as he reveals and retells the story of how an idol was destroyed and replaced with a sacred gift and his marriage into a miracle.
Title: Lord Help Me!
This seminar is for the overworked, underpaid, and overwhelmed parent. Based on the parallel experiences of the apostle Peter and the undeserving Syro-Phonecian woman, this seminar demonstrates how God tests us and even appears to abandon us. Yet His divine purpose is to enable us to walk upon the turbulent waters of life rather than be delivered from them. In this compelling seminar Mark delivers what he believes to be the most significant and powerful truth that will set us free. If you cannot see the light at the end of the tunnel, you will not want to miss this session.
Title: Bring them Up, Don't Crush them Down
Based on the Greek understanding of Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21, Mark will paint and unforgettable picture for parents who are unknowingly quenching the spirit of their children. Children who are fully loved, fully known, without any fear of rejection, will become children who possess a low level of fear and a high level of risk and reasoning. Children who develop a high level of risk and reasoning, are children who see failure as stepping stones for success. Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Success is failure upon failure, with great enthusiasm!” You will not want to miss this session of great enthusiasm, instruction, and inspiration!
Title: Life Transforming Character and Literature
During his twenty-four years of searching for the most life-changing Christian literature available, Mark discovered that inspiring literature that modeled Christ-like character was the catalyst that awakens a child's drive to become all that God intended. Through an inspiring, informative, and dramatized lecture, Mark will “demonstrate” the power of literature.
Title: Image is Everything
(This message overlaps the Resistance and Restoration seminar.)
Children learn more from our walk than our words. Why, then, is there so little emphasis on “modeling” and an over-emphasis on instruction? In this session we will learn about the essential ministry of image-bearing: when a husband dwells with his wife according to knowledge, loving her as Christ loved the Church, and when a wife cultivates a heart in whom her husband safely trusts, having no need of gain. The modeling of biblical manhood and biblical womanhood will lay a foundation that will lead a child toward a content and purposeful life.
Title: If You're a Christian, DON'T TELL ANYONE! (Teens)
Originally designed for teens, this seminar has far-reaching implications for the Christian witness and the “right” to tell others about Jesus Christ. Throughout the gospel of Mark, Jesus repeatedly commands his followers NOT to tell anyone about Him. In a dramatic interpretation from this gospel, Mark communicates a powerful message through the unique life of the Syro-Phonecian woman as well as the gripping testimony of five ninth grade boys who set their school on fire for Jesus Christ. Join Mark as he presents the ultimate test that opens the door to “tell like it's never been told."
Title: The Triumphant Teen
This inspiring and challenging session focuses on four qualities that lead to a triumphant life. Mark Hamby , President of Cornerstone Family Ministries, captivates the hearts and minds of teens as they investigate the qualities that lead to true greatness in the eyes of God. Through laughter, tears, and soul searching, teens will leave this session with clear direction that will lead to a life that is based on humility and lived with purpose. Over 1000 teens heard this session at the Disneyland Convention center where several hundred decisions were made to influence their culture for Jesus Christ rather than allowing their culture to influence them.
Title: The Day of Small Beginnings
In the book of Zechariah, Zurubabbel the governor of Jerusalem is facing the overwhelming obstacle of completing the construction of the temple. He faces apathy and general disregard for the work of God but though he has been detained for a period of ten years, he is not defeated. During my own personal experience as a child God, I have found that obstacles are just God's platform for deliverance and redemption. The problem is that many haven't learned the simple truth that moves the heart of God into actions of deliverance. In this session, we will learn this simple yet profound truth in the context of parenting and marital conflicts and several disorders related to stress, anxiety and boredom. Truly, there is nothing too difficult for the Lord.
Title: The Withered Fig Tree and Faith that Moves Mountains
Did you ever wonder why Jesus cursed the Fig Tree in the NT? Or why God in the OT blesses the olive tree so that the olive oil pours in abundance? In Matthew and Zechariah, these trees have two common themes: the temple and a lack of faith in the face of overwhelming obstacles. As always, obstacles are God's platform for deliverance and redemption. The problem is that many haven't learned the simple truth that moves the heart of God into actions of deliverance. In this session, we will learn this simple yet profound truth in the context of family and school conflicts and several disorders related to stress, anxiety and boredom. This is a session where you will learn where to find the faith that moves mountains.
