We are a parent-led, Speech and Debate club for Christian Homeschoolers who are between the ages of 8 – 18.

The benefits of Speech and Debate are innumerable!  We offer opportunities to learn various Speech events and Debate styles through parent-led coaching and competitive tournaments. In addition to developing their rhetoric and research skills, students also grow their faith, character and develop strong friendships.

The reason for Our name 

In ancient Athens, people would gather at public buildings to listen to politicians, philosophers, and poets. Greece’s Mediterranean climate rendered the interiors of these buildings unsuitable for crowds much of the year. Architects therefore designed the Stoa, the long covered porches fronting or surrounding buildings, often with a double colonnade, that became the symbolic feature of classical Greek architecture. Here, in a shaded but well-lit and well-ventilated space, people could gather to conduct business or test new or competing ideas. It was in such a setting where the Apostle Paul delivered his famous speech in Acts 17 when he challenged the beliefs of the Epicureans and Stoics. Paul’s sermon is a classic example of a gospel presentation that begins where the listeners are, and then presents the gospel message in a logical and biblical fashion.  In the same way that stoa existed to provide a place for public speaking, debate and the exercise of rhetorical skills, Stoa exists to provide locally-organized opportunities for friendly forensics competition in public speaking and debate for privately educated Christian homeschooled students.

Our vision is to empower christian, homeschooled, youth to ARISE to their full potential as effective communicators of the truth, defenders of the faith, and a transforming influence on our culture through the study and competition of various forms of speech and debate to reach their culture for Christ.