STAFF
Cathy Neely - Director & Girls RT Teacher
Brayden Smith- Boys RT Teacher
Louise Rogers - H.E.L.P. Minister
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Val Bomar - Admin. Asst./ Bus Coordinator
Jeff Neely - High School Teacher
Tammy Greene - H.E.L.P. Minister
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rev. Joe Price - President
Doyle Holliday - Vice-President
Leland Burch
Michael A. Cantrel
Betty Dennis
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Pierce Williams - Treasure
Jane Patat - Secretary
Linny Moore
Roger Sims
Chip Sloan
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Wes Kissinger
What is Release Time Bible Education (RTBE)?
Released time for religious education was made legal by the Supreme Court in all 50 states in 1952 (Zorach v. Clauson). There are three requirements that must be satisfied for a Released Time Bible Education program: Students must obtain parental permission to attend, instruction must take place off of school grounds, and no state resources may be used. RTBE is permitted by Greenville County Schools Board Policy and Administrative Rule JBF, as well as South Carolina Code of Laws §59-1-460 and §59-39-112.
In June of 2006, South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, signed the state's Released Time Credit Act, which permits high schools to award students an elective credit for participating in off-campus religious instruction. South Carolina is one of only two states in our nation currently to offer RTBE coursesdiploma credit-- the second state is Ohio. Aside from the positive spiritual and academic benefits to students, national research on RTBE programs has also shown the following:
*Improved relationships
*Stronger self-confidence
*Less risk-taking behaviors
*Better life-coping skills
Released time for religious education was made legal by the Supreme Court in all 50 states in 1952 (Zorach v. Clauson). There are three requirements that must be satisfied for a Released Time Bible Education program: Students must obtain parental permission to attend, instruction must take place off of school grounds, and no state resources may be used. RTBE is permitted by Greenville County Schools Board Policy and Administrative Rule JBF, as well as South Carolina Code of Laws §59-1-460 and §59-39-112.
In June of 2006, South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, signed the state's Released Time Credit Act, which permits high schools to award students an elective credit for participating in off-campus religious instruction. South Carolina is one of only two states in our nation currently to offer RTBE coursesdiploma credit-- the second state is Ohio. Aside from the positive spiritual and academic benefits to students, national research on RTBE programs has also shown the following:
*Improved relationships
*Stronger self-confidence
*Less risk-taking behaviors
*Better life-coping skills
For more facts about Released Time Bible Education in our nation, visit
www.schoolministries.org or releasedtime.org.
HISTORY OF OUR PROGRAM
The Greer Christian Learning Center is a premier program started in 1997 by a few businessmen who prayed and stepped out in faith at God's leading. We are conveniently located across the street from Greer Middle School. We operate only by donations from individuals, churches, and businesses as a 501-C-3 non-profit organization. We are grateful for God's provision of our own debt-free building in which to meet. This building allows students, parents, and teachers a place to express their personal Christ-centered values in an off-campus location through Released Time, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), See You at the Pole, Bible studies, and other before and after school events.
Our students come from various churches in the upstate. About one third of our students do not attend church at all. We have highly qualified staff members, teachers, and counselors at our center. Our classes are free for students, but we depend on the financial support of faithful individuals and churches. We also rely on assistance from volunteers who operate our buses that transport our students each day from their public school campus to our building.
We offer single-gender classes for 6th-8th grade students of Greer Middle for our released time program. Approximately 500 students attend each year. These groups meet one day a week during related arts time. We provide each new student to our program with a Bible to take home.
Two courses are available for 9th-12th grade students of Greer High School: Bible Basics and Biblical Life Lessons. Approximately 120 students attend each year. Classes count as an elective credit towards graduation. These courses are taught by state-certified teachers.
HISTORY OF OUR PROGRAM
The Greer Christian Learning Center is a premier program started in 1997 by a few businessmen who prayed and stepped out in faith at God's leading. We are conveniently located across the street from Greer Middle School. We operate only by donations from individuals, churches, and businesses as a 501-C-3 non-profit organization. We are grateful for God's provision of our own debt-free building in which to meet. This building allows students, parents, and teachers a place to express their personal Christ-centered values in an off-campus location through Released Time, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA), See You at the Pole, Bible studies, and other before and after school events.
Our students come from various churches in the upstate. About one third of our students do not attend church at all. We have highly qualified staff members, teachers, and counselors at our center. Our classes are free for students, but we depend on the financial support of faithful individuals and churches. We also rely on assistance from volunteers who operate our buses that transport our students each day from their public school campus to our building.
We offer single-gender classes for 6th-8th grade students of Greer Middle for our released time program. Approximately 500 students attend each year. These groups meet one day a week during related arts time. We provide each new student to our program with a Bible to take home.
Two courses are available for 9th-12th grade students of Greer High School: Bible Basics and Biblical Life Lessons. Approximately 120 students attend each year. Classes count as an elective credit towards graduation. These courses are taught by state-certified teachers.
WHAT GOD DID
One of our faithful board members, Leland Burch, has chronicled the amazing story of the Greer Christian Learning Center in the new book, What God Did. It is a wonderful testament to how God has been working in our midst. This book is an account of the program's history and contains special testimonies from students and staff. It is also a helpful resource for others who may have a vision for starting a Released Time Bible Education program in their communities. We have copies available at the learning center to borrow, or you may obtain one for a minimum donation of $5.00.
Call or email us to request a copy. You may also order directly from Amazon.com and have one shipped to your home.
Call or email us to request a copy. You may also order directly from Amazon.com and have one shipped to your home.
Donations may also be given in person at the Learning Center during business hours or mailed to P.O. Box 2013; Greer, SC 29652-2013. Please join us in praying that students' lives will continue to be touched by the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
