What They Say
"If you homeschool or have your children in Christian schools, I’d encourage you to buy a copy or two of this book. Keep them handy and when you meet people who know the Lord and who feel convicted that they can or should put their children in public schools, give them a copy as a way to love and encourage them. You may even want to read it with them. If you are a public schooler, buy a copy for a friend, but also make sure you get a copy for yourself. You will find it a source of challenge and comfort and maybe even a little bit of rebuke. Speaking personally, I found it a tremendous encouragement and genuine challenge. It was exactly what I needed to read and I’m indebted to the Pritchards for this labor of love. In writing it, they have served the church well."
Tim Challies (www.challies.com)
"Over the past two decades, we have witnessed David and Kelli's wise, biblical, and practical approach to raising their own children and countless others. You are holding an excellent tool, a must read for all parents who want to raise kids who will find and fulfill their God given destiny."
Sam and Kathi Katina - The Katinas (Christian Music artists, www.thekatinas.com)
"David and Kelli Pritchard are national treasures in Young Life and a rare gift to the larger body of Christ. Not only have they achieved 28 years of successful marriage and raised eight thriving children, but they have also impacted countless other kids and adults through decades of service in Young Life. I am deeply grateful that the Pritchards have taken on a new role in Young Life, ministering to husbands, wives and families. I enthusiastically affirm them in this role."
~ Denny Rydberg – President of Young Life
"I am writing to offer my highest endorsement for David and Kelli Pritchard as they launch into their new season of service as family ministers for Young Life. The years of preparation that David and Kelli have been given have afforded them the chance to live what they now teach. David and Kelli are gifted communicators. They are students of culture and pursue extensively any available information current or past on healthy families and parenting. There is no related topic that they are not aware of and well versed in and at the same time they are able to distill faithfully through the lens of their faith the essential truth of God’s greatest desire for the health of our Young Life families. They offer information in both coaching and teaching styles. They are a joy to watch. Our staff, many of whom have already raised their kids, say …”I can’t get enough of these guys”. They offer practical and deep wisdom to families in all seasons. With great humility they have the ability to offer the truth in love about the challenges of raising kids in ministry. David and Kelli manage to offer all this in a way that people can accept and lean into as they consider a new way of parenting and leading their families."
~ Ann Shackelton – Vice President of Human Resources for Young Life
"The composure and poise that Tavita Pritchard showed when he was thrust into the national spotlight is the type of character quality that takes a lifetime of parenting to produce.
Jim Harbaugh – Stanford University Head Coach and former NFL player
"David and Kelli Pritchard have been modeling what good parenting is all about for the last 20 years. Their methods are based on sound principles that will work in any culture, and with any type of children. We love the practical "nuggets" like how they decide who sits where in the family car. Overall, you will be blessed as you read their parenting strategies based on the concept that children are most fulfilled when their parents are in control."
Don and Robin Stuber - 30+ Years in youth ministry
"As a Coach, I am always looking for examples to devotion and self-control, so that I can relate these excellent qualities to the team. Kelli and David Pritchard and their family are perfect examples of those qualities. One can witness tremendous commitment observing Kelli and David’s marriage. They are the real deal. What you see is what you get with the Pritchards. David and Kelli are constantly working on their marriage as they communicate and organize their relationship with each other and with their children. The Pritchard’s demonstrate devotion to teach other as well as living their faith through marriage. One of the best expressions of this marriage would be the discipline towards excellent quality of life that each of their children demonstrate. I personally know all eight of the Pritchard children and have taught and coached two of them. They are all the ‘cream of the crop’. Within days of moving to our school district, the four oldest children became natural leaders on their respected teams and in their respected classes. The Pritchard’s offspring reach for the highest stars, knowing if they fail they will still hit the moon. Even through the hardships of a large family and the schooling ages, one can witness a maturity in all of the Pritchard children. Alyse, Krista, Tavita, Jordan, Tana, Danielle, Keila and Sina all demonstrate a discipline lifestyle that is a by-product of a faith filled marriage and learned self-control."
Jonathan B. Randall - PE Instructor, Head Football & Baseball Coach, Clover Park High School
"If you want to find out what marriage and parenting is all about; just watch David and Kelli as they interact with each other and their children. I have know them for several years now and have had a chance to watch them in action. One of the things that strikes me the most (having spent many years working with teens) is the love and respect that their children have for them. We live in a generation where this cannot be said in many families. I believe that the children's love and respect is a reflection of the the love and respect that they have received from their parents. I have also watched David and Kelli as a couple. I've been married for 38+ years and there has not been a time that I have not felt convicted regarding the way that they love and treat each other. If the proof is in the pudding, you only have to watch the Pritchard family to see a model of a family that loves each other and the God who created them. David & Kelli, know that those words come from my heart. If I didn't mean it I would not have written it. I love you guys. You and your kids mean more to me than you will ever know."
Bill Paige - VP and Special Assistant to the President of Young Life
"What’s a Christian
parent to do when it comes to School Choice? Should Christian parents home
school, send their children to Christian school or public school? Unlike some
clothing choices: one size does not fit all. However, for parents choosing the
public schools for formal education, 'Going Public' is a must read. The book
points out that over 47 million of our nation’s students attend public schools,
equaling 89% of our children and is, in fact, where 80% of our Christian
families send their children.
'Going Public' points out that the key to raising children in the knowledge of
the Lord may not focus merely on the location where formal education takes
place, but where the informal education takes place as well: in the home during
non-instruction time.
Parents need to saturate their homes with the Truth of their faith 24/7 and play
a major role in daily formal education whether that training takes place
exclusively at home, in a
Finn Laursen - Executive Director, Christian Educators Association International (www.ceai.org)
"The greatest testimony of David and Kelli's parenting is, of course, their children; spend a few hours with any of them and it will be clear how much they respect, trust, love and 'believe in' Mom and Dad."
Hunter and Lauri Lambeth
"It is with great pleasure that I recommend Dave & Kelli Pritchard to you. As their pastor I have had many opportunities to observe their lives up close. I have been in their home, watched them try to fit their whole family in one pew at church, sat with them to ask for advice, cheered for their children playing basketball and football, and observed them teaching and ministering to many people. They are an amazing couple with children who love and serve the Lord Jesus Christ. Dave & Kelli have a unique blend of passion and compassion for Jesus, for life, and for people. I describe them as people magnets. I know that God will use the principles they have built their lives and family upon as they share them with others."
Dr. Jim Kennington - Lake City Community Church, Lakewood, Washington
"God brought David and Kelli Pritchard into my life at a time when a betting person would have said the odds were against me. The Pritchards showed me that even if the odds were against me, God was for me. David and Kelli opened their home and their hearts to me, allowing me to watch and learn how a Godly family lives and loves. I continually thank God for showing me through the Pritchards all I could hope for, desire and have in a family."
Michael DeGraw - one of the teenage boys the Pritchards took in while living in Centralia
"There are three things that are immediately discovered when one walks into the Pritchard home: the value of fun and the overwhelming presence of love. The third is kids; lots and lots of kids. Many of these are “not their own,” but because they believe every child is of great value and worth, their home is a refuge for many who have been forgotten. It is within this context that they have chosen to raise their family. It is within this context that their children have learned selflessness, responsibility, kindness, respect, moral and ethical purity, and love. It is within this context that they have learned that it is ‘better to give then to receive’ because they have been able to give to 'the forgotten' who their lives have intersected with and they call them 'friend'.”
Steven R. Ridgway - Executive Director, The Northwest Network Foundation
"Having known the Pritchards for more than 16 years, we flew our newly-married son and his wife to Centralia, to experience a few days in the Pritchard home. As a result, and with some direct mentoring by Kelli during one or two 'challenges' as young parents, Ben & Jennifer have a great marriage and excellent parenting skills. Their two young sons, Owen and Gavin, are fine examples of "the Pritchard method". Last year Ben and Jennifer moved Owen from a Christian pre-school to the local public kindergarten. Now our younger son, Kevin, and his wife Erin, are ready for the same 'pilgrimage'. 'Going Public' offers you a glimpse of life with the Pritchards. Thank God and thank you David, Kelli and family, for showing us all what God intended marriage and family to look like in this crazy world!"
Mick & Jenny Daly - National Marketing Directors, NSA LLC
What They Say About The Pritchard Conferences and Seminars
Dear David and Kelli,
We want to convey to you our appreciation for your conference last Saturday, “Going Public with your Parenting, raising a family that draws others to Christ.” While it can be difficult to attract people in our mountain resort setting to an all day seminar on a Saturday we had nearly 100 enthusiastic participants.
Let me tell you why we're so pleased with your conference:
1. You. That’s right, just you two. You are compelling in your presence, caring, interactive, and unassumingly authoritative. Not only were you willing to take questions during the sessions, but you were available to engage with individuals between sessions and the next day, after our Sunday morning service!
2. The material is practical and profound. That is, profound in our culture. You strike a clear note that can give parents assurance and confidence. The arrangement of the material flows well and is supported by the powerpoint slides. We all enjoyed and learning was enhanced by the video clips embedded in your presentation.
3. The participant workbook is well laid out, and invites participation.
4. Your material is thoroughly biblically based and grows from your years of experience. Additionally the current studies you cite lends credence to the biblical principles you teach adding that extra layer of proof for skeptical, modern parents.
5. The examples from your family life give extraordinary clarity to the principles you teach. Those real life illustrations help us understand that you didn’t always do it right as well as providing a ‘window’ into your family life to see how what you teach actually works.
We were so privileged to have you present your conference in our church. We’ve heard parents talking about how to integrate different principles you taught. It was good to have your books on sale in the lobby so parents can follow up with further reading and pondering.
Please feel free to share this letter with anyone who is considering your parenting conference. We hope to have you back again in the future.
Thank you and God bless,
Doug Self Kevin Denton
Senior Pastor Family Life Pastor
Church at Carbondale