Convention Program - Christian Homeschool Association of ...

10
Special Speakers
George Sarris
George W. Sarris is an actor/narrator/spokesman, working primarily in the commercial environment of
New York City. He has been the principal spokesman for radio and television commercials and industrial
films for companies such as AT&T, IBM, American Express, Burger King, Duracell, Pizza Hut,
Sprint, and Honda. Mr. Sarris holds the degrees of Bachelor of Science in Speech from Northwestern
University, and Master of Divinity from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He served on the
staff of the Mass Media Ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ for 4 years, and served on the Board
of Directors for Screen Actors Guild in Boston for 6 years. He is currently Executive Coordinator of
Mastermedia International/New York. Mr. Sarris has developed a unique, one-man show entitled, The
World’s Greatest Stories. The texts for the stories he tells are taken directly, word for word, from the
Bible. They are told, however, using the art of a dramatic storyteller. The live performances of these
stories have been enthusiastically received by a wide variety of audiences at conferences, in churches,
at Christian Schools and camps, and for local community events. The CD’s and video cassettes are
enjoyed by many thousands of people. Mr. Sarris is publisher of Ecclesiastes by Solomon, in cooperation with the International Bible
Society. He is a featured speaker at conferences throughout this country, addressing issues related to both teens and adults. Mr. Sarris
resides in Trumbull, CT with his wife, Suzan. They have 5 children.
Elizabeth Smith
Elizabeth Smith, wife of Home School Legal Defense Association President Mike Smith, taught three
of her four children at home from 1981 to 1996, when the youngest entered college. For over 25 years,
Elizabeth’s practical wisdom has encouraged audiences at homeschool conferences, symposiums, and
women’s retreats throughout the United States. Michael and Elizabeth have appeared several times on
Focus on the Family’s radio program. Elizabeth is the Director of Development for the Home School
Foundation, the charitable arm of HSLDA, and serves on the Board of Directors of Breakthrough Intercessors
Prayer Ministry. She is also a founding Board member of the National Black Home Educators,
and teaches women’s Bible studies at her local church. She serves as an Area Director over 9 counties
for the state of Virginia Auxiliary to Gideons International. Elizabeth has lobbied on pro-family issues
in her state capitol and in Washington, D.C., for the National Center for Home Education and the Family
Foundation of Virginia since 1993.
Mike Smith
Mike Smith is the President of Home School Legal Defense Association, an organization which he has
been involved with since its beginning. HSLDA was established to protect the right of parents to teach
their children at home. HSLDA now represents over 81,000 member families. Mike became involved in
defending homeschoolers after he and his wife, Elizabeth, decided to homeschool their children. They
have four children. Three have been homeschooled and have all graduated from college. Mike has been
doing keynote speaking to homeschool conferences for over 25 years. His desire is to communicate
in every message the benefits of home education and his overriding belief that God has raised up this
movement for a special purpose at this time in history. Mike communicates that the benefits of homeschooling
far exceed the burdens, with special emphasis on encouragement.