Wellspring Christian Family Schools
Formerly Walkersville Christian Family Schools
HELPING YOU TREASURE GOD'S DESIGN FOR YOUR FAMILY
Family Heritage Matters
Defending the freedoms of Maryland families since 1983.
FHM began in 1983 as a public advocate to the Maryland Board of Education and General Assembly regarding home education. Because of FHM's research and advocacy, the BOE developed regulations that permit home instruction as we know it today.
With Family Heritage Matters, WCFS is active with monitoring and lobbying efforts at the Maryland General Assembly and the State Dept. of Education. Families are kept up-to-on current issues affecting home education and the family.
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow.” (Isaiah 1:17)
About FHM
FHM's Mission
FHM exists to answer the Biblical call to defend the family from any onslaught against the sole authority and right of parent to direct their children's education and instruction according to the dicates of their own faith and conscience.
Maintaining Our Freedoms
in the 400 year tradition of the Free State:
"Be it therefore...enacted...that no person or persons whatsoever within this province...professing to belive in Jesus Christ shall henceforth be any ways toubled, molested (or disapproved of) in respect of his or her religion nor in the free exercise thereof..."
The Maryland Toleration Act, April 21, 1649
FHM proactively monitors Maryland legislation and regulation.
FHM monitors Legislation from the Maryland General Assembly in Annapolis; over the past 35 years, we have monitored over 100,000 bills (MD Senate and House Bills).
FHM monitors Maryland Administrative Regulations, which have the force of law. These are pulished monthly and if adopted become part of the COMAR (Code of Maryland Regulations).
FHM also tracks state court cases which may have an impact on home education in Maryland.
FHM advises legislators and government officials.
Through written and in person communication, FHM counsels legislators and government officials concerning issues affecting Maryland families, churches and private schools.
FHM has over 3 decades of experience.
Since Pastor Gary Cox began advocating for Maryland families in Annapolis in the 1980s, FHM has maintained positive, working relationships with Maryland legislators and officials. Gary has frequently been invited by the Maryland State Department of Education as a stake holder to provide input on home education regulations.
FHM trains students.
In a cooperative venture with WCFS, a Maryland-based homeschool academy, FHM oversees legislative internships for junior and senior high school students. We also hold an annual student legislative day in Annapolis which includes tours of the Capitol, stetting in on committee meetings, and reviewing bills.
FHM serves as a watchman.
FHM provides general and specific information regarding Maryland homeschool legal freedoms through the periodic updates via email and social media. FHM liaisons in the mission with Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators, and Home School Legal Defense Association. (HSLDA)
FHM needs your prayers.
FHM staff seek to honor the command of 1 Timothy 2:1 "to pray for kings and all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life."
FHM In Action
-In 1983-84
The Maryland Bord of Education back away from challenging the FHM founder and Superintendent of Wellspring Christian Family Schools for his home school program and instead uses it qas a prototype for Maryalnd law and COMAR regualtion regarding home instruction.
-In 1991
FHM succesfully amended the "mandatory kindergaten for 5 year olds" to allow parents to "opt out" their children.
-In 1993-95
FHM fought attempts by Maryland Child Care Administration to outlaw corporal punishment on private school grounds.
-In 1994-94
FHM stopped legislation to increase restrictions over homeschooling.
-In 1996 to 2000
We defeated legislation to raise the compulsory school age from 16 to 18, thus securing early graduation rights for homeschool students under 18.
-In 1998
We assisted in defeating Bill Clinton's Federal Testing initiative.
-In 2001
We helped gather 57,000 signatures to stop the anti-family "Anti-Discrimination Act"
-In 2002
We aided in the defeat of legislation which would establish "sexual orientation" as a relgious belief-type and put a person in jail for up to 3 years for "forceful intimidation" of homosexulas inside a church building.
-In 2018.
FHM helped to defeat HB 1798, legislation that would have mandated home visits for Maryland homeschooling families.
Get Involved
Supporting and assisting FHM's work is easy!
The resources below provide you with a geat place to start, whether it be learning to submit testimony regarding a bill, donating to the cause, or signing up to stay informed about issues.
How to Submit Testimony
Donate to the work of FHM:
Sign up below if you would like to follow FHM's work: