Four New Programs for North Carolina

Plans to launch four new Released Time Bible Education programs in Bladen County, NC, this January have just been announced. Jason Williams, who serves as Senior Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church in Dublin, NC, and SMI coordinator for North Carolina, shared this good news with SMI staff. Jason commented, “A lot of people worked hard and fast to make this happen, and that community leadership will be there to support our growth.”

Jason began his RTBE work as a teacher in South Carolina and did the foundational work to establish a state-wide RTBE initiative in Florida. He assumed his current church position last February and by September was working to start an RTBE program. His efforts were focused in Bladen County in which his church resides.

In little over a month’s time of meeting with school board members and community leaders, Jason was receiving positive feedback and community support—particularly from the Bladen Baptist Association. In October he presented a request for approval to start RTBE classes to the Bladen County School Board. In November, the School Board approved the start of Released Time programs effective January, 2011.

The program will kick off in four schools—two in elementary and two in middle schools. Current plans for the following school year are to add RTBE programs to serve the remaining seven elementary and middle schools in the county. These efforts are also laying a strong foundation for launching a statewide network in North Carolina to raise funds to start new RTBE programs throughout the state and to help raise funds for School Ministries. Jason said, “Having SMI behind us to provide consulting, needed materials and support services can make the difference between success and failure.”