This article was written by Kori Pennypacker, CEO of Bible2School. This is a paid partnership.
Wouldn’t it be great if, as a children’s ministry leader, you could reach kids in your community who don’t attend church with the message of the Bible during the week? What about DURING public school hours?
Well, you can. And it’s legal.
About 53 million kids attend public school in our nation. You and your ministry, along with other Christians in your community, can be the Church that goes to these children by sharing the gospel in the middle of a public school day through something called released time Bible programs.
Released time Bible programs, like Bible2School, have one main objective: To teach the Bible to public school students, especially reaching those who are not able to attend church. What makes these one hour per week programs unique is that they aren’t extracurricular — they take place DURING public school hours. Federal Released Time rulings allow children attending public school to receive religious education of their choice during the school day. The idea of released time programs began in the early 1900s and has been upheld over the years by the Supreme Court as protected by the Constitution.
With 70% of the U.S. not regularly connected to a church, this seems like the most convenient and effective outreach to the next generation, right?
So, why have these programs historically been so underutilized by church leaders and communities?
Most people are not familiar with the released time federal rulings option, or that this type of program is offered in their community. However, we have recently seen a rise in the demand for programs like this. Bible2School alone grew over 400% in child attendance in the last few years.
So, why are released time programs now on the rise?
It boils down to convenience for parents. These programs remove barriers for parents who are looking to provide their children with spiritual enrichment on a regular basis. Busy parents do not have to drop their kids off before school or pick them up after school because these programs are held DURING school hours. Many parents are recognizing that a released time Bible program is a viable solution for their child amidst their busy calendar. Also, released time Bible programs fill the rising hunger that public school kids have for learning about spiritual things and enhance their overall educational experience by knowing the Bible.
How does this help grow church attendance?
Partnering with local public school ministries helps to bridge the gap of inviting families to visit your church. According to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, 80% of people who come to Christ were invited to church by someone they knew. Bible2School, and other programs like it, reach the target audience of unchurched children and their families weekly in the mission field of the public school. When children hear the gospel, they tell others — their family and their community. This year, 18% of all Bible2School families have started attending church because their children were involved (that’s up from 15% previously).
So, what’s the next step?
With over 45 years of experience implementing successful released time programs, Bible2School has the proven tools and resources to equip you or someone in your church to bring weekly Bible classes to elementary students in various communities across the nation. Our vision is that every public school would have a dynamic released time Bible program, like Bible2School.
Church leaders can be a catalyst for spreading the gospel during a public school week, build relationships in their community, and help public school children and their families find a church home. This out-side-the-box, impactful outreach ministry is worth investigating.
To see if a Bible2School program is offered in your community, search for your local public school here. If you don’t see one listed, explore how YOU or someone you know can start a Bible2School program in your community — DURING the public school day! The impact will ripple through families. Communities will be strengthened. Church buildings will continue to fill. Public school ministry is truly the best kept secret in impactful church outreach tools.
Watch this powerful story of Johnny and his mother as they share how Bible2School laid the faith foundation that impacted their whole family during a time they needed it the most.
About Kori
Kori is passionate about the Word of God and its impact on children. She enjoys serving audiences by speaking to businesses, churches, and community leaders on the importance of spiritual training for children nationwide. Kori has over 20 years of Children’s ministry experience and loves to build and lead teams. God has used this passion to help grow the mission at Bible2School, where she serves as CEO. Her passion and enthusiasm has placed her in various speaking engagements, such as conferences, TV appearances, radio, and various podcasts. Most importantly, Kori is a proud veteran Navy wife, a thankful mother to three young men, and a loving grandmother.
