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News from School Ministries, Inc.

Happy Summer to Everyone!

July 2009

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In this issue

-- 2009 SMI Conference Is a Winner

-- SMI Board Chair Casts Vision for the Future

-- Meet our SMI State Coordinators

-- Welcome to RittmanCARES

-- For-Credit RTBE Courses Multiply

-- Brittney Shull New Voice at SMI

-- Major SMI Web Update Coming

-- New DVD and Publication Released

-- Tavy Garcia - Volunteer RTBE Monitor

-- Advertising for Jesus

Share the good news! The Report Card. Please forward this issue to your volunteers and anyone else you think should know about RTBE (Released Time Bible Education). Anyone can sign up to be on the e-mail list for future copies by registering on the SMI website at www.schoolministries.org

2009 SMI Conference Is a Winner

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"Growing the Kingdom" was the title of the 2009 School Ministries' annual conference held on Friday, March 13th, in Boiling Springs, SC. And what a conference it was! Retaining the best of earlier conferences, it also incorporated a number of new activities. From the sharing of God's recent blessings-including some growing pains-to new features such as special sessions for RTBE programs in the formative stage and for state network leaders, a panel discussion and a PR and other materials sharing table, it was a busy and rich day for all involved.

Forty-two people participated, and conference evaluations were consistently high for all aspects of the program. Some people wrote in comments such as: "Conference has been very inspirational, informative and beneficial. A day that will produce fruit; and "Thanks for all you did to make this a special day. Go and grow." All but two SC programs (that had to cancel at the last minute), were represented as were SMI's out-of-state networks (FL, NC and OH). The conference started with welcomes by Dr. Wayne Dicker, Pastor of the Northbrook Baptist Church and Ailena Geddes (Spartanburg District Two). First on the agenda was time to hear from the program leaders. This was an incredible time of sharing as each told of what God was doing in their programs. The rich out-pouring of joys, challenges and hope often brought tears to eyes and words of praise to lips. This time was followed by small group prayers. Two SMI Board members were also present: Chair James F. O'Bryon (Jim) and Hal Stevenson.

Next, Erie Brown (Clarendon), Janice Butler (Greenville) Jennifer Miller (Ohio) and Kevin Stewart (Clover Board member) participated in an exploration of strategies for enhancing program and financial support-each bringing a particular perspective to the discussion. (A handout prepared for this discussion on "Stewardship and Support" is available on Members' Zone under helpful resources.)

Devotions were provided by Executive Director Ken Breivik followed by lunch. The luncheon speaker was Dr. Anita J. Cooper, Director of the Bible Teaching Program, Columbia International University. Her comments were centered upon keeping students involved in the learning process and the power of story telling in accomplishing that.

Jim shared with attendees the Board's vision for more aggressively and more systematically promoting released time across the country, thus, building on the great work that is evidenced in the reports of the programs.

Occurring before the conference start was the first-time meeting of the leaders of SMI's three state-wide initiatives. Ken met with Jennifer Miller (OH), Raymond Taureck (FL) and Jason Williams (NC). This session allowed for some face-to-face sharing, planning and decision making.

In addition two of the attendees were from McDuffie, GA, where a program was just in the formation stage. They came early to meet with Jim before the program started in order to discuss the challenges before them. Their discussions continued in the afternoon when Janice Butler joined Jim in mentoring the McDuffie-program-to-be.

While the McDuffie team met for the second time in the afternoon, other participants attended either a session on PR materials and other publications (lead by Ken) or one on dealing with classroom issues (lead by Patricia Breivik). The former covered PR and marketing "101", and the latter was largely interactive dealing with issues raised by attendees. The PR session was also enriched by a table of program publications and other materials that were available for viewing throughout the conference.

After reports of highlights from the subgroups and discussion, Ken closed the conference with prayer.

Special thanks are due to our local arrangements people Ailene Geddes (Spartanburg District Two) and Kelly Hanson (Spartanburg District One) who also served on the planning committee along with Skip James (York District One) and Patricia. Appreciation is also given to Dr. Wayne Dickard for his welcome and the use of Northbrook Baptist Church.

SMI Board Chair Casts Vision for the Future

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James F. O'Bryon, School Ministries Board Chair, shared the Board's vision at the spring SMI conference. The Board has recently completed a statement of its intent to become more nationally focused by promoting and supporting Released Time Bible Education networks in a 50-state outreach effort. This initiative is driven by the Board's belief that engaging children in Bible study and prayer during school hours is just too important to the salvation of young people for it not to be systematically promoted and advanced throughout all 50 states.

O'Bryon said, "School Ministries is the closest missionary field you are ever going to have. A missionary is not only one who crosses an ocean. A missionary is one who sees the cross, and we have a mission field right outside our doors in our public schools."

Already SMI has state-wide initiatives underway in four states.

Meet our SMI State Coordinators

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School Ministries is longing to reach more children for Christ in more states more quickly. Key for achieving that goal is its support for state-wide initiatives. Currently there are three state coordinators who are committed to starting new Released Time programs and for nurturing new programs. (In addition, Jenni Miller serves as the SMI Ohio Executive Director and can be reached at Jennifer@schoolministries.org. There will be more about her efforts some other time.)

Because not all of you were able to meet these RTBE state leaders at the SMI spring conference, we wanted to introduce them to you in this newsletter.

Bob Hoeller - Georgia
Bob Hoeller is a member of the North Georgia conference and Augusta District of the United Methodist Church and is currently the Pastor of Pierce United Methodist Church in Augusta, Georgia. He is also the Program Director for the Christian Learning Centers of Augusta's released time program. Bob is retired from military service as a Telecommunications Network Engineer after 22 years of service. He is a graduate of Southern Christian University, Montgomery, Alabama, with a degree in Christian Ministry/Biblical Studies, and he received his Master of Divinity degree from Erskine Theological Seminary, Due West, South Carolina. Bob is married to LaDonna Hoeller, and has three children and one grandchild. (Bob@schoolministries.org)

Ray Taureck - Florida
Ray Taureck was introduced to Released Time Bible Education in the fall of 2005 by Rev. Jason Williams, the Florida State Director for School Ministries, Inc., when Jason presented a program about RTBE at Ray's church, Family Bible Church. (Jason was led to start the ministry in Florida, because there were no active released time ministries in the state.) Ray is a retired Fire Captain from New Jersey who had worked with church youth for over 20 years. He also had over 15 years teaching experience with the fire service and had served as church treasurer for ten years and as deacon for three years. These experiences seemed to fit well with the work of released time programs, and so Ray talked to Jason about working with him in the ministry and found out more about what it entailed.

Ray attended a School Ministries Conference in South Carolina in March of 2006; and, while there, was truly inspired by the testimony of people he met while attending the home-going of Margaret Bridges, a woman who was instrumental in starting a released time ministry and who also was instrumental in getting Jason involved. Ray was appointed as Florida State Coordinator for School Ministries, Inc., in September 2008. Ray has been married for 39 years to Roxanne, has two daughters Rebecca & Roberta and five grandchildren (four boys and one girl). (Ray@schoolministries.org)

Jason Williams - North Carolina
North Carolina School Ministries started in Monroe, NC, in March of 2009 by the vision of Rev. Jason Williams. Jason has been involved in released time ministries in various ways since 2001. He started teaching Bible for the Spartanburg, SC, District 2 Released Time Program in 2001 while also serving as Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Campobello, SC. He lived in Jacksonville, FL, from 2005 to 2008 where he served as a missionary committed to initiating state-wide Released Time Bible Education programs in FL. After laying the foundation for released time and gaining approval for its first program, Jason moved to Monroe, NC, to serve on staff at West Monroe Baptist Church and to begin working for the establishment of released time programs in that state. He has an Associate degree in Christian Ministries from Fruitland Baptist Bible Institute and a Bachelor degree in Religion from Liberty University. Jason is married to Jessica Williams and has three children, Caleb, Karis, and Chase. (Jason@schoolministries.org)

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If you know someone, who is committed to Released Time Bible Education and might be interested in exploring a state-wide initiative, have them contact SMI Executive Director Ken Breivik at 803-237-7308 or email him at Kenneth@schoolministries.org.

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Welcome to RittmanCARES

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(The SMI family of affiliates has a new member as we welcome RittmanCARES in Rittman, Ohio. Just as finishing touches were being made to the newsletter, we heard from Pastor Bud Olszewski, who heads up the program; and he provided the following information on how God blessed the beginning of their program.)

In February 2008, a school board member approached me and then another pastor to see what it would take to start a Released Time Bible Class in our Rittman public school. That began a series of meetings which were completed when the school board agreed to allow the program to exist for the 2008-2009 school year! Our superintendent had an experience with RTBE in another district and there are five other programs in our county, so this was not a hard sell.

We began the 2008 school year with about 175 students enrolled, out of an enrollment of 550. At Christmas, a local church, on behalf of our program, offered a Bible book to every student in the elementary school if approved by parents. Most registered to receive it. In each book, there was information about the RTBE program, and the result was that we immediately enrolled another hundred students into our program! By the end of our first year, we had 309 students who took our weekly Bible teaching classes.

Our teachers taught every morning, Monday through Thursday from around 8 a.m. until just after 12 noon. Each elementary class got one session per week. We are excited as we anticipate even a larger enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year.

For-Credit RTBE Courses Multiply

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For-credit high school level RTBE courses are off to a good start in South Carolina. In many cases they are add-ons to existing programs being offered at the middle school level. In 2008-2009, such for-credit high school level courses were offered in Clarendon, Greenville, Greer, Spartanburg District Two and Upstate. Ten schools were involved in these programs with 404 students participating over the fall and spring semesters. Additional for-credit high school classes are planned for the coming fall-including new initiatives to be offered by Coastal Ministries, Spartanburg District One, and York District One.

Brittney Shull New Voice at SMI

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Brittney Shull became a welcomed part of the SMI team in (Month) 2008. Stepping in to pick up on some of the work done by Sue Valder, Brittney's cheery voice often is the first heard when phoning SMI. Many of our affiliates have already come in contact with her by phone and email as they work on insurance and other issues of concern. Brittney's email address is Brittney@schoolministries.org.

Major SMI Web Update Coming

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Be on the watch out this summer for a major updating of the SMI website. While changes are done throughout the year, so much has been happening with School Ministries and Released Time Bible Education that a major overhaul is needed.

New DVD and Publication Released

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Two new resources for people interested in Released Time Bible Education programs are now available for purchase.

The first is a 13-minute, fast moving DVD that provides an overview of RTBE: how it works, its legality and its impact on student performance. Interviews with RTBE staff personnel, school administrators and students provide a rich perspective on the value of these programs. The DVD is suitable for use with community and church leaders, school officials, and potential volunteers and donors.

The SMI Teacher Recruitment/Retention Policy and Procedures Guide is designed to meet expressed needs of RTBE board and staff members. Use of the Guide can save programs much time and effort, because it brings together in an organized fashion the significant issues and concerns related to recruiting teachers and giving them the information and guidance that supports their success. In addition, forms and other materials that support these efforts are available for local adaption to School Ministries' members on the Members' Zone of the SMI website.

The School Ministries DVD and the Teacher Recruitment/Retention Policy and Procedures Guide can be ordered online by going to www.schoolmi nistries.org. The order form can also be printed out and mailed.

Tavy Garcia - Volunteer RTBE Monitor

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(Editor's note: Tavy Garcia is a volunteer in the RTBE program in Spartanburg District 2. He agreed to tell us what it is like to be a volunteer monitor and why he is such a strong supporter of RTBE.)

Around three years ago a good friend of mine, Ailena Geddes, became the director of the Released Time program in Spartanburg District 2. She told me about the program and later asked if I would like to be a monitor for the program. I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into but thought I would give it try; and I have enjoyed every moment of it. Our goal is to teach the Word of God to these students.

Released Time in Spartanburg District 2 reaches out to students in Boiling Springs Junior High and Chesnee Middle School and has recently started a program in Chesnee High School. A bus picks up the students from their schools and takes them to a near-by church for a 20-40 minute Bible lesson. We pick up and drop off students eight times every Friday!

My monitor's job includes riding the bus to pick and drop off the students, taking role, assisting the Released Time teachers, and other various tasks given by the Director. Every Friday during the school year I get up around 6am to get to the church by 7:30. When I arrive at the church, the director and I are greeted by the bus driver; and we head on over to the junior high school to pick up our first load of students. Another monitor meets us at the school. because it takes more than one monitor at times to take role and load the students on the bus. One or two students will trickle in and before we know it we are being rushed by a crowd of children ready to go to Released Time. Taking role can be confusing and tedious at times, depending on the number of students coming to us at once, but it also provides us with time to get to know the students by their names and faces. Once we get to the church we have about 20 minutes with the students before we have to leave and take them back to school and pick up the next load of students.

While at the church, the class I monitor in is taught by Mr. Matthew Burris who is known as "Spanky." Spanky starts by greeting the students and reading a Bible verse before getting into the lesson for the day. At least twice during the school year Spanky teaches a lesson about becoming a Christian and at the end gives students an opportunity to become saved. There are often several students who accept Jesus as their personal Savior. This alone is worth the time I spend helping with Released Time! After each class period is up we take the students back to school and pick up the other students.

There are a number of reasons Released Time programs should be started in junior high and middle schools. One reason is the positive influence it has on the students who attend the program. Another reason is that the program is a blessing to all who are involved in making Released Time possible and to the members of the community. I know that Released Time has been a blessing in my life and has given me an opportunity to share my faith with others. I was even given a chance this past semester to teach a class and give my testimony. I am glad to see how God has worked through the Released Time program to touch the lives of so many young men and women.

(Mr. Garcia works at Spartanburg Methodist College as a Residence Hall Director. He is working on a MAT in Early Childhood Education at Converse College and will be student teaching in the fall. He is a member of Campobello First Baptist Church in Campobello, SC. He sings bass in the church choir, and on Sunday mornings he tells the children's story in front of his church. He will be teaching the kindergarten class at VBS this year.)

Advertising for Jesus

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At the end of the spring 2009 semester, students in Spartanburg District 2 were challenged to "Advertise for Jesus." The teacher did a lesson on advertising for Jesus, that is, how to let others know you are Christian and who Jesus is. The challenge was to come up with a way to advertise for Jesus and then wear or display that advertisement on the last day of Released Time when a pizza party was scheduled. The advertisements would be judged, and the winner of each class would receive a prize. The challenge was accepted by the students; and on the day of the pizza party, students displayed a wide range of advertisements from wearing home made t-shirts to writing Bible verses on their shoes. The contest was a fun and creative way to get students excited about God and his Word.

 

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For a printable version of this newsletter, download the pdf at www.schoolministries.org.

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Contact Information

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email: newsletter@schoolministries.org

web: http://www.schoolministries.org

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