I can only imagine what kind of difference it would make if more kids encountered harmony between faith and science rather than a conflict-driven narrative. Parents help make this happen. Whether you have science-interested kids or just ones who ask big questions, having a Christ-centered community that embraces science is a blessing. Here are a few ways BioLogos has impacted my family and what attending their recent conference meant to me and my daughter.

The BioLogos conference offered us an opportunity to learn, ask questions, and engage with people who were there to do the same thing!

1. Expanding Our Idea of Community 

My kids are homeschooled. If you are not a home educator or don’t know families who have chosen that path, trust me when I tell you that it isn’t easy being pro-science in that world.

Most homeschool science curricula espouse a hard-line, young-earth perspective, and the scientific community is portrayed as being untrustworthy and politically driven. This leaves many families, like mine, walking a careful line if they are involved in homeschool cooperatives. Many are forced to avoid them altogether. “Isolation” is a common word I hear from homeschool families who accept evolution, an ancient universe, and human-caused climate change. We desire community but rarely find one that fits.

However, there is good news! Within the homeschooling community, there are a growing number of families that embrace the BioLogos mission…they just happen to be all over the country and not concentrated in one place! So, as a mom and home educator, I’ve expanded my vision for what community could look like for my science-loving kids.

Bringing my daughter to the BioLogos conference was one way to move her out of isolation and into a community of like-minded members gathered together. Whether it was discussing a plenary at one of the round tables with a group of fellow attendees or interacting with people over lunch, Vienna was warmly welcomed in a way she hasn’t been in the homeschooling world.

2. Overcoming Fear and Being Open About Doubt.

Recently, we started attending a church that has been welcoming to our science-forward family. Finding this church has been a blessing, and even though we might still be the odd family out who embraces evolutionary creation, there is an openness and graciousness when it comes to discussing our differences.

But this has only been the last few years, and like the homeschooling world, many within our faith community have been hostile to our questions and viewpoints as evolutionary creationists. Though we loved the people we worshiped with, Mark and I had to undo some of the things our kids were learning in their Sunday school classes and from the pulpit. Avoidance of hot-button topics was the posture we adopted that allowed us to maintain relationships within our church.

Bringing my daughter to a conference where diversity of thinking is welcomed and encouraged was freeing! She could ask her questions without fear of rejection, be open about her doubts, and hear from thought leaders who are experts in their fields.

In the nine years I have been a part of the BioLogos community, I have made wonderful friends, learned a great deal, and found a place where I belong. I want this for Vienna as well. Bringing her to the conference was an important step in bringing this to fruition.

3. Modeling a Deep Love for God’s People and His World.

Vienna loves biology. She has a particular interest in genetics, evolution, and ecology, and how these subjects intersect with her faith in Christ. Her Amazon wish list is consistently refreshed with books that reflect these interests! However, because neither her father nor I are scientists or theologians, her exposure to people who work in these fields is limited.

Having positive and inspiring role models in my kid’s lives, whatever career path they take, is important in developing their confidence, values, and goals for their future. As a home educator, I want to create opportunities where my kids can meet and interact with professionals who will make a positive impact in their lives.

BioLogos conferences are invaluable in this way. The speaker lineup was filled with a diverse group of godly men and women who spoke on topics that are very important to Vienna’s generation: artificial intelligence, vaccines, climate change, and social justice. And even though many of these speakers are at the pinnacle of their careers, their posture of humility was pronounced.

Vienna was surrounded by professionals who modeled a deep love for God’s world and the people in it. During the two days at the BioLogos conference, many of these professionals—scientists, theologians, and authors—welcomed my daughter warmly, treated her with respect, and encouraged her in her pursuits.

A Lasting Impact

At the conference, my daughter and I had an opportunity to speak with Francis Collins. Let me just say that our hearts were pounding as we walked up to him! Being a kind and gracious man, he quickly put us both at ease. I thanked him for his work and its impact on our family. The conversation quickly turned to Vienna and Dr. Collins’ mutual love of science, and in particular genetics.

I loved watching her engage with someone she deeply admires and respects. Getting to introduce my daughter to someone who has done so much for the scientific and faith community was a conference highlight for me!

Over the last nine years, I have been involved with BioLogos in varying capacities. My involvement has substantially impacted the way our family thinks about the relationship between faith and science.