Come celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with PAACH at our 2026 Fall Kickoff! Join us at Shore Acres North Pavilion in Chillicothe for an evening of food, fellowship, fun, and a celebration of the freedoms we’re grateful to enjoy — including the freedom to homeschool!

PAACH will provide paper products and drinks. Each family is asked to bring a covered dish and/or dessert to share. And if you think you have the winning chili recipe, be sure to enter our Chili Cook-Off for a chance to win a prize! (Please mark the appropriate box when you register.)

Celebrate America 250 With Us!

In honor of America 250, this year’s kickoff is FREE to everyone — PAACH members and non-members alike! We’ll have plenty of opportunities for you to get to know other homeschooling families in our community and get excited for the homeschool year ahead. Kids can enjoy the playground, kickball, and plenty of open space for games and activities.

Enter to Win a $500 Scholarship!*

As part of our America 250 celebration, you can enter for a chance to win a $500 scholarship toward the 2027 PAACH Washington DC Trip! It’s a great opportunity to help make our upcoming trip to our nation’s capital a little more affordable.

⭐ Dress for the Occasion!

Get creative and show your American spirit in our Best Patriotic Costume Contest! Your costume can celebrate America’s history by dressing as a famous historical figure, or you can simply show your patriotic pride with your best red, white and blue ensemble. The winner will receive a FREE one-year membership to SchoolhouseTeachers.com!

Whether you’ve been part of PAACH for years or this is your first time meeting us, we’d love to have you join us! Come enjoy some good food, meet other homeschool families, learn more about PAACH and what we offer, and celebrate the freedoms that make homeschooling possible.

Please register so we know how many people to plan for. We can’t wait to celebrate America 250 with you!

Are you a Christian? Are you an American? And aren’t we supposed to keep the Church and State separate?

Come discover what the Bible teaches about faith, freedom, government, culture, and the Christian’s responsibility in America.

Invite your family, bring a coworker, and bring a friend for this exciting new educational series. We will examine important issues facing our nation and churches today, including where the Church went wrong, Islam, Black Lives Matter, socialism, communism, sex education in public schools, transgenderism, and more—all through a biblical lens.

This class is for everyone. A separate class will be available for children ages 6–11, and a nursery will also be provided.

Beginning the first Sunday in September
Every Sunday at 10:00 AM
Gethsemane Church
600 State Street, Pekin, Illinois

Come ready to learn, and see what the Bible says about standing for faith, family, and freedom.

Enjoy an evening of Southern Gospel music with The Kramers on Friday, September 4th at 6:00pm at Cross Pointe Church of God, 3101 Airport Road in Bloomington. A love offering will be received. To learn more visit thekramersmusic.com.

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of worship, music, and community on August 29th! Peoria Heights Christian Church is bringing the incredible Caleb & John to Tower Park for their annual FREE outdoor concert in the heart of Peoria Heights. Kick off the evening with the church’s praise band at 5:00 PM, followed by Caleb & John after a brief stage change. Come hungry as local street vendors will have delicious food and beverages available for purchase. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, invite your family and friends, and enjoy a powerful night of worship under the open sky. For more information, call 309-685-7649.

Join PAACH & other homeschooling couples on August 28th at the Jeffersonian Dinner, for an evening of food, fellowship, encouragement, & learning. You’ll hear from several speakers, including Kirk Smith, Executive Director of Illinois Christian Homeschoolers, Israel Wayne of Family Renewal Ministries, & Kevin Swanson or Generations. This special evening will provide opportunities for both learning & meaningful community building with other homeschooling families. Take the opportunity to grab your spouse & enjoy a night out together while being equipped & encouraged in your family’s spiritual journey. The event will be held at Barracks Cater Inn, located at 1224 W Pioneer Pkwy in Peoria, where dinner will be provided, with a gluten-free option available. To learn more & to purchase tickets, visit www.paach.org/events.

Registration

• Non Member/ Couple – $50.00

• PAACH Member/couple – $35.00
  
  

Join the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka for their Welcome Home Summer Concert Series! The Kramers will be in concert on August 18th. Refreshments will be available from 6-6:30pm with music starting at 6:30. Please bring your own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on. The AC Home of Eureka is located at 610 W Cruger Ave in Eurkea. For more information call 309-467-2311 or visit each.org/concert-series.

The Kingsmen Quartet will be in concert on Friday, August 14 at 7:00pm at The Evangelical United Methodist Church, 401 Walnut St, Washington. Tickets are only $5 each and will be available at the door. A love offering will be received. To learn more call Don Moushon at 309-453-4673 or visit evanumc.org.

First Congregational Church of Lacon will host a Women of Vision concert on August 9th at 3pm. The award-winning Peoria based gospel group is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their group-titled CD. The group is locally and internationally known for its meditative and energetic Christian songs written by the group. There is no charge to attend the concert & everyone is welcome. The church is located at 205 N. Prairie Street in Lacon. If you have any questions, please call 309-246-8221.

Stop by and support the St. Paul Lutheran Church Youth at their Free Will Donation Car Wash on August 9th from 11:30-1:30! All proceeds will help send their youth to the National Youth Convention in Minneapolis in 2027. Bring your car, truck, or SUV and let them give it a shine while you support a great cause. Every donation, big or small, will be greatly appreciated! The church is located at 1427 W Lake Ave in Peoria. To learn more, call 309-682-2931.

The Whisnants will be in concert on Saturday, August 8 at 7:00 PM at Faith Baptist Church of Champaign, located at 4601 N Market St in Champaign. Admission to the concert is free for everyone but they do want everyone to have a seat, so online registration is required for all attendees. To support the travel and ministry of The Whisnants, a Love Offering will be received during the program. You can register for your tickets at faithchampaign.org.

What would happen if thousands of people across central Illinois paused to pray over their schools on the same day? On Saturday, August 8th at 9am, churches, families, or educators, students, and community members will gather at school campuses across the region to pray for the year ahead. Together, we’ll ask God to bless students, strengthen families, encourage educators, and move powerfully throughout our schools and communities. For The Schools: Prayer Saturday is more than a single event organized by Richwoods Christian Church. It’s a growing movement of prayer designed to unite the Church, bless our communities, and inspire ongoing prayer throughout the school year. To find out more and to get involved, call 309-451-5008 or visit richwoods.org/events.

Do you want to experience more of Jesus in you and with you at your school?

Join us for AWAKE-a one-day transformational experience for Christian educators that opens our eyes to how God is using us as His ambassadors and then frees us to work more powerfully with Jesus. Is He inviting you to come AWAKE to your calling?

“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us.” 2 Cor. 5:20 NLT

The AWAKE Experience includes…

• Intentional time alone with God

• Discussion and connection with other Christian educators

• Bible study and applying Scriptural truths to our lives

• Training in legal freedoms for public school educators

• Discovering truths that will transform the way we see our jobs as educators

Registration fee is $35 through July 7th, $40 after.

Washington Crossroads Global Methodist Church, 1420 N Main St, Washington, IL 61571

Contact Jeremy Garrett: jeremy.garrett@icloud.com

Morning snacks and Lunch are included.

Doors open at 8:00 am

Danny Funderburk will be in concert on Saturday, July 18th at 5:30pm at the Roanoke Park in Roanoke, IL. For more than 49 years, people across the country have fallen in love with his incredible talent, as he performed with The Singing Americans, Perfect Heart, Mercy’s Way, and most notably, the prestigious Cathedral Quartet.  Please bring your lawn chairs for this Roanoke Park Community Sing with Danny Funderburk. There is no charge for admission but there will be an offering received to benefit the Apostolic Christian Homes.

Jim & Melissa Brady with Michael Booth will be in Concert on Friday, July 17th at 7:00pm at the Evangelical United Methodist Church at 401 Walnut Street in Washington. Concert tickets are $10 each since there are two groups and will be available at the door. A love offering will also be received. To learn more call Don Moushon at 309-453-4673 or visit evanumc.org.

Calling all incoming Kindergarten through 5th grade students! Join First Mennonite Church of Morton on July 17th from 2–3:30pm for an exciting one-day Vacation Bible School adventure! Kids will enjoy fun activities, engaging lessons, and discover how God is working through the ministry of Mennonite Central Committee in Kenya. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow in faith, and explore how we can make a difference in the world. FMC is located at 250 S Baltimore Ave in Morton. To find out more, call 309-266-7591.

We encourage you to add VBS at First Baptist Church of Morton to your summer calendar! Illumination Station VBS will be held July 12-16 (Sunday-Thursday) from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. for students ages 4 through those entering 6th grade in the fall.

While many people claim to know about Jesus, many are in the dark about who He really is. Some might see Jesus as just a person from history, a good man, or a wise teacher but He is much more than that. At Illumination Station VBS, kids will be challenged to answer Jesus’ important question to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” As they explore all the ways light brightens, illuminates, reflects, and reveals, kids will discover that Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world. Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Online registration is open at: https://firstbaptistmorton.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1225158

We encourage you to add VBS at First Baptist Church of Morton to your summer calendar! Illumination Station VBS will be held July 12-16 (Sunday-Thursday) from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. for students ages 4 through those entering 6th grade in the fall.

While many people claim to know about Jesus, many are in the dark about who He really is. Some might see Jesus as just a person from history, a good man, or a wise teacher but He is much more than that. At Illumination Station VBS, kids will be challenged to answer Jesus’ important question to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” As they explore all the ways light brightens, illuminates, reflects, and reveals, kids will discover that Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world. Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Online registration is open at: https://firstbaptistmorton.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1225158

We encourage you to add VBS at First Baptist Church of Morton to your summer calendar! Illumination Station VBS will be held July 12-16 (Sunday-Thursday) from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. for students ages 4 through those entering 6th grade in the fall.

While many people claim to know about Jesus, many are in the dark about who He really is. Some might see Jesus as just a person from history, a good man, or a wise teacher but He is much more than that. At Illumination Station VBS, kids will be challenged to answer Jesus’ important question to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” As they explore all the ways light brightens, illuminates, reflects, and reveals, kids will discover that Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world. Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Online registration is open at: https://firstbaptistmorton.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1225158

We encourage you to add VBS at First Baptist Church of Morton to your summer calendar! Illumination Station VBS will be held July 12-16 (Sunday-Thursday) from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. for students ages 4 through those entering 6th grade in the fall.

While many people claim to know about Jesus, many are in the dark about who He really is. Some might see Jesus as just a person from history, a good man, or a wise teacher but He is much more than that. At Illumination Station VBS, kids will be challenged to answer Jesus’ important question to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” As they explore all the ways light brightens, illuminates, reflects, and reveals, kids will discover that Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world. Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Online registration is open at: https://firstbaptistmorton.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1225158

We encourage you to add VBS at First Baptist Church of Morton to your summer calendar! Illumination Station VBS will be held July 12-16 (Sunday-Thursday) from 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. for students ages 4 through those entering 6th grade in the fall.

While many people claim to know about Jesus, many are in the dark about who He really is. Some might see Jesus as just a person from history, a good man, or a wise teacher but He is much more than that. At Illumination Station VBS, kids will be challenged to answer Jesus’ important question to His disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” As they explore all the ways light brightens, illuminates, reflects, and reveals, kids will discover that Jesus is the light who brings hope to a dark world. Jesus spoke to them again: “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in the darkness but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Online registration is open at: https://firstbaptistmorton.churchcenter.com/people/forms/1225158

Celebrate the 250th Birthday of the United States with An Evening of Patriotic & Gospel Songs featuring Ernie Haase & Signature Sound on Monday, July 6th at the Apostolic Christian Home of Eureka. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, birthday cake and ice cream will be served from 5:00pm-6:30pm. The concert will begin at 6:30pm. There is no cost to attend but donations will be accepted. Please bring your own lawn chairs. The concert will be hosted on the south lawn, behind the apartments. The AC Home of Eureka is located at 610 W Cruger Ave in Eureka. For more information visit each.org/concert-series or erniehaase.com.

GospelFest Ministries will present God Bless America: A Patriotic GospelFest on July 2nd at 7pm at Five Points Washington. The concert will feature Shawn Degenhart and the gospelfest singers and choir and will also include a tribute to veterans and members of the armed services. There is no cost to attend but a love offering will be taken. To find out more, visit gospelfestministries.com.

Do you enjoy singing? Then come celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the GospelFest Choir! Choir rehearsals for the Patriotic GospelFest will be held on Monday evenings beginning June 1st, from 6:30-8pm at Crossroads Church in Washington. The concert will take place on Thursday, July 2nd at Five Points Washington. For more information, visit www.gospelfestministries.com.

The Inspirations Quartet will be in concert on Friday, June 26th at 7:00pm at Dunlap High School. This quartet won the Singing News Fan Award for Favorite Quartet & Favorite Artist of the year in 2024 & 2025 along with many other Fan Favorite Awards. Doors open at 6:00pm. Tickets are $20 per person and are open seating. You may contact Pam at (309-256-5151) to purchase tickets or purchase tickets online at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/aclifepoints/6398/event/1466013. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the concert. All ticket sales support AC LifePoints in Morton. To learn more about the Inspirations Quartet visit www.theinspirationsquartet.com.

Do you enjoy singing? Then come celebrate America’s 250th birthday in the GospelFest Choir! Choir rehearsals for the Patriotic GospelFest will be held on Monday evenings beginning June 1st, from 6:30-8pm at Crossroads Church in Washington. The concert will take place on Thursday, July 2nd at Five Points Washington. For more information, visit www.gospelfestministries.com.

Can't afford to travel, spend 2 days in a hotel and 3 days to attend your favorite Christian writers conference? We've got an alternative. Word Weavers Land of Lincoln is hosting a 4 1/2 hour writing workshop - right here in central Illinois coming up on June 20th. The workshop is a blend of lecture, focused writing time and story sharing. Cost of the workshop is $35, and that includes workshop writing materials, lunch and refreshments. The workshop will be held at Liberty Baptist Church, located at 2105 Sheridan Rd in Pekin. It will run from 12-4:30pm followed by a Storytelling Concert at 6pm. To find out more and to register, please call Rita Klundt at 309-267-0693.

Experience an unforgettable evening of faith, worship, and renewal at the Belovedness Event featuring singer-songwriter Sarah Kroger—a powerful night created for men and women of all ages to encounter the truth of who they are: deeply known and unconditionally loved. Join St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church on June 19th at 7pm for a meaningful concert experience rooted in prayer, storytelling, and authentic worship. This is a family-friendly event, designed to speak to every stage of life. Tickets are $5 for ages 18 and under, and $10 for adults. To learn more and purchase tickets, call 309-691-3602.

Women, mark you calendars for Awaken, coming up on June 16th! Awaken is a gathering for women hosted by Dream Center Peoria. This will be an unforgettable evening with Amy Duggar King, television personality, author, and advocate, known for her appearances on 19 Kids and Counting and her courageous voice in sharing truth. With authenticity and bold faith, Amy has become a powerful advocate for women, using her platform to speak on healing, identity, and overcoming abuse.
This special gathering for women will raise both awareness and support for those impacted by abuse, creating space for hope, restoration, and community. The event will be from 6-8pm at Connect Church in Washington. Make sure to grab your free ticket soon to reserve your spot! For more details and to get tickets, visit www.dreamcenterpeoria.org/awaken.