Released Time programs in Spartanburg’s District One schools, known as D1RT, began this fall with approximately 250 students and has already recorded about 30 students accepting Christ, reported Tracy Burns, who became executive director last January.
Meeting at three area Baptist churches, D1RT currently reaches out to students at one middle school and two high school students each week.
The program draws seventh and eighth grade students from Campobello-Gramling Elementary on Monday and Tuesday, who meet at First Baptist Church, Campobello; while students from Mabry Jr. High School meet on Wednesdays at Inman Mills Baptist Church, and students from Landrum Jr. High School meet on Thursdays at First Baptist Church, Landrum.
Beginning in District One in 2005, with approximately 300 enrolled, the Released Time program recorded around 75 decisions for Christ during its first year, according to Burns.
“We have an active board of directors which includes the teachers for all schools,” said Burns, a member of First Baptist Church, Campobello. She noted that the board has seven members which consist of some youth directors from local churches.
Students participating in the district’s Released Time use NIV bibles which were donated by North Spartan Baptist Association, she noted. Baptist churches listed among the program’s supporters include Bethel, Campobello First, Inman Mills, Fairview, Landrum First, Gowensville First and Holston Creek.
“Released Time is a wonderful ministry that God is blessing, and the local churches in our area need to know about it. It’s too good a thing to let it go to waste,” remarked Burns.
For more information about Released Time programs, contact Burns by e-mail at tburns1@alltel.net or by phone at (864) 468-5345.