School Ministries Ohio, which helps Christians bring public school students word of God’s love, is seeking area schools and churches that want to participate in programs starting in the fall.

The “Released Time” program allows children to have a Bible study during the school day. Mike Jones of Kinsman, who attends Champion Presbyterian Church, said letters were sent to both Champion and Joseph Badger school officials, whose school boards were given time to look over the material and their approval for the program.

Letters also have been sent to churches in the Champion and Joseph Badger school districts to see if they would be interested in joining. Jones said the program cannot be held on school property so students would need to go to a nearby participating local church.

“I have personally reached out to churches in both school districts with a letter of introduction and a brochure from School Ministries Ohio,” Jones said.

He said the program would be offered for one period once per week at a participating church.

Jones said he and other members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes attended an event in Salem, where he was introduced to the program.

Jennifer Miller, organizer of the “Released Time” program, spoke about local and nationwide efforts, including getting churches in Columbiana County involved. Miller spoke with the Columbiana Ministerial Alliance.

Miller explained “Released Time” programs are a legal way for public school students to study the Bible devotionally. Students who wish to attend must have written parental permission. With the approval of the local board, schools may enter into a cooperative agreement with the community groups offering the classes, which must be held offsite and funded privately. School personnel are required to remain neutral, neither encouraging nor discouraging student participation.

Christian organizations may teach Bible classes. Churches of all denominations or nondenominations may offer release time classes for students.

Miller said School Ministries can make a presentation to a church or community group on how to start a program and its benefits, as well as training.

Jones said the program would need volunteers from churches to make it work. The students also would need to be transported from the schools to the church.

Volunteers would transport the students and also serve as teachers. Jones said while the program is for grades 1 through 12, they are starting with middle and high school students.

For information, visit school

ministriesohio.org, www.released

time.org or email Jones at coach

mikejones44@gmail.com or call 330-246-0805.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com