The mission of the Christian Educators Association is to inspire and support Christian educators and encourage community by providing opportunities for spiritual and professional growth based on God’s Word.
The Convention Planning Committee is finalizing plans for the 2024 CEA Convention which will be held October 24 and 25 at South Christian High School in Grand Rapids, MI. This is the 100th gathering of the CEA. Our first gathering was in 1924 at LaGrave CRC Church. You can read the history of the CEA here. We hope this convention will provide professional stimulation and challenge each one of you!
Theme: Faithful
Verse: Deut. 7:9 – “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.”
Thursday
Keynote Speaker: Peter Jonker, LaGrave Christian Reformed Church
The first convention was held in 1924 at LaGrave CRC, now 100 years later we are thrilled to welcome the pastor of LaGrave CRC, Peter Jonker.
Opening Worship begins at 9:00 a.m.
Friday
Capstone Speaker: Brad Brewer
Closing Worship begins at 11:20 a.m. (Convention begins at 9:00 a.m.)
All of the 2024 CEA Sessions can be viewed at the online convention planner.
2024 CEA Convention Theme: Faithful
The mission of Christian educators 100 years ago was hopefully the same as our mission today, and it is our hope that teachers 100 years from now will share that same mission. This shared mission points to the past 100 years of God’s faithfulness to us and our faithfulness to His calling to be Christian educators. And it calls us to the next 100 years of faithful service in His kingdom as He continues to be faithful to us.
Out of respect to speakers and fellow teachers, the Convention Planning Committee requests that those in attendance at meetings not leave until the chairperson or the presenter indicates the close of the session.
Children and infants may not attend any CEA session or opening or closing worship. We ask for your cooperation so someone from the Planning Committee will not be forced to ask you to leave.
The delegates are invited to attend an important House of Delegates’ Meeting on Thursday at 10:20 a.m., immediately following the Opening Worship, in the Performance Gym. We’ll find a spot in the bleachers to gather together.
CEA dues for this year will be $100 per member. These dues cover your convention registration, a subscription to the Christian Educators Journal, and committee expenses. Your delegate will be collecting dues in September.
Spouse passes may be obtained at Convention Headquarters for $5 and guest passes for educators who are not CEA members are $110.
Student Teachers may attend the convention for free, if they send in a Student Teacher Voucher to Brenda VanderPloeg. Here is the link to the student teacher voucher.
Retired Christian school teachers and administrators may attend the convention free of the normal registration charges. Contact the Executive Secretary, Brenda VanderPloeg, for details. (cea@ceateachers.org)
Two name badges will be sent to each teacher for use at the convention. Those who are being honored for 25 or 35 years of service will receive a special set of name badges. Your delegate will have those for you.
Calvin’s Graduate Education Department will offer SCECH’s (State Continuing Education Clock Hours) through the State of Michigan. Educators may earn Michigan SCECH’s for attending sessions, for the keynote and the capstone. Specific directions may be obtained from your CEA delegate. You may also stop at the Information Desk before the convention starts to pick up a registration form. If you have any questions, please stop by the Calvin University display booth in the Exhibits Hall. Use the word “SCECH” to search for which sessions apply in SCHED.
CEA INFORMATION DESK will be located on the first floor of South Christian High School. If you are a chairperson, please stop at the Information Desk to pick up AND return your session envelope.
CEA Activities: Disc Golf
South Christian High School has a disc golf course. You are welcome to play a round. Score cards will be available on hole one. You will need to bring your own discs.
CEA Music Thread: Bring your instruments!
Thursday at 10:45 – 11:45: Choral Repertoire
Thursday 11:55 – 12:55: Round Table for Music Teachers
Thursday 1:50 – 2:50: Band Reading Session for 8th – 12th
Thursday 3:00 – 4:00: Band Reading Session for 5th – 8th
Friday 9:00 – 10:00: Concert Programming with Intentionality
Friday 10:10 – 11:10: Bring, Share and Take Home for Tomorrow’s Music Class Lesson
Friday 10:10 – 11:10: The Integration of Faith and Learning in Music Classes and Ensembles
Lunch on Thursday: Lunch will be available at no cost for everyone. Search the word “lunch” in SCHED for the menu. We are very grateful to our donors for this generous gift!
Is this your first time attending a CEA Convention? We have a special reception just for you! We will plan to meet you immediately after the opening worship in room 137. Room 137 is behind the CEA information desk. Exit the Auditorium and look for the poster showing you where the first-time attendees will meet. We can answer any questions you have and you can sign up for a drawing just for first time attendees. We will be drawing 4 winners: two cash prizes and two gift certificates to Bookbug (in the CEA exhibit hall.)
2024 CEA Banner: The CEA would like to express our deep appreciation to Dave Landstra, an engineering student from Dordt College for designing the 2024 CEA Banner.
The exhibits will be in the Learning Gym at South Christian High School. Our Chairperson of Exhibits is Jerry Mastenbrook (retired from Kalamazoo Christian Middle School). He has worked very hard at obtaining vendors to come to our convention. Please be sure to visit the exhibits and order materials right at the convention whenever possible. Even when placing an order later in the year, be sure to mention the convention exhibit. Since the exhibits are an important source of CEA income, we urge your cooperation.
The following have donated cash for us to provide exhibitor prizes. Visit the exhibit hall and receive a ticket from the vendors, Drop your ticket off in the prize bowl at the CEA headquarters. We will be drawing prizes each hour.
Many thanks to:
Distinguished Donor:
ANDY STEENSMA INSURANCE AGENCY
Serving the Michigan Educational Community since 1950
Outstanding Donor:
Providence Bank
A hotel reservation form was sent to you in the spring and you have hopefully already made your hotel arrangements directly with the hotel/motel. Another copy is included below.
CEA Special Rate at Grand Rapids Hotels
CEA 2024 CONVENTION HOUSING INFORMATION
To: ALL CEA MEMBERS
From: Brenda VanderPloeg, Executive Secretary
Christian Educators Association
Phone: 616.669.3497
email: cea@ceateachers.org
Date: MAY, 2024
Re: CEA 2024 CONVENTION HOUSING/LODGING
This important housing/lodging information is being sent to you in preparation for our fall 2024 CEA Convention to be held in Byron Center, MI on October 24 and 25. (More convention information and a request for dues will be sent to you in the fall.) EACH CEA MEMBER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING HIS/HER OWN HOUSING/LODGING RESERVATIONS.
∙ You must tell the hotels that you are with CEA to receive these rates.
∙ Remember to reserve the correct dates. The actual CEA Convention is Thursday and Friday, October 24 and 25, 2024. You will most likely need lodging for Wednesday, October 23 and/or Thursday, October 24.
∙ You will be dealing directly with the hotel/motel for ALL arrangements and will receive a confirmation directly from that hotel/motel.
REDUCED RATES FOR CEA MEMBERS AT THE FOLLOWING HOTELS:
Homewood Suites – Grand Rapids
3920 Stahl Dr
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
10 miles north of South Christian High School
Parking $3.00 per night
Reservation Number: 616-285-7100
Rooms: $119.00
Comfort Suites
7644 Caterpillar Court
Grand Rapids, MI 49548
3 miles West of South Christian High School
Reservation Number: 616-301-2255
Rooms $94.00
Home 2 Suites by Hilton
2288 64th St SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
7 miles West of South Christian High School
Reservation Number: 616-577-8700
Rooms: $114.00
Hyatt Place Grand Rapids South
2150 Metro Lane SW
Wyoming, MI 49519
8 miles NorthWest of South Christian High School
Reservation Number: 1-888-492-8847
Rooms: $139.00