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1940 1960 1967-1989 1990-2010

While visiting in Florida, Mr. and Mrs. Don Keller 1960 Reba Miller 1967 First Released Time class started 1990 Gregg Garman resigned
of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, became inter- moved from TN to 1967 Jerry Traister arrived 1990 Jim Roberts appointed director
ested in the CBM Bible Memory Program and direct the work of 1969 Reba Miller leaves for CBM of Alabama 1990‘s Large maintenance building
desired to have it carried on in their local commu- South Central PA 1973 Land given by three farmers for a camp and another cabin was built
nity if possible. They contacted a young lady, 1974 Camp Joy-El opens 2002 Jim Roberts resigned
Miss Mildred McEvers, at Moody Bible Institute, Camp was held at the 2003 Aaron Ziebarth appointed
who came to Chambersburg and worked among Rhodes Grove Camp 1970‘s Gym, pool, discipleship lodge, and two director
the children for some months. near Marion, PA, until houses were built
Campers were taken to Powell‘s Fort Camp 1974 1980‘s The infirmary and another cabin was built 2010 Worship center planned
in VA in the early years. 1984 Jerry Traister became national director to be built

Miss Mildred McEvers Mildred McEvers and a Bible Miss Reba Miller Jerry E. Traister Jerry & Marie Traister 1974 Camp Joy-El opens
Class in May 1958
Chambersburg, PA

South Central Pennsylvania Branch of CBM
A new CBM branch was established and Miss Mildred McEvers was ap- Camp Joy-El was named by Pastor John Springer. The camp opened on July
th
pointed the director. Schools were enrolled in the Bible Memory Program and 10, 1974. We broke ground on Sunday, March 17 , and 115 days later, five
many of the children completed the 300 verses for camp. Now 5000 children cabins, a water and sewage plant, plus the main building were finished and
are hearing the Word of God monthly in approximately 30 schools in two coun- ready to be used. Praise the Lord. The building committee was made up of
ties. Miss McEvers went to be with the Lord, after serving for 17 years with Frank Wingert, Glen Garman, Ralph Michael, Wilbur Fritz, and myself. We
CBM. "To depart and be with Christ is far better." The work that she had done met at Sunny Way Diner in Greencastle at 6:30 a.m. on an as-needed basis to
will never be fully known in this world, nor the souls she influenced to follow keep the project moving.
the Lord, but her work will continue to bear fruit for God's glory.
It was my joy to visit many of the elementary Released Time classes, have
The local committee carried on the work and prayed for another worker to step devotions with the staff, and then give awards for memory work. I loved to
into the gap. motivate the kids to say Bible verses. To do this, I asked Jim Booher to help
me to build a rocket, skyscraper, and a bus, all to encourage the kids to memo-
My Time in Franklin County rize.
John Bayer started the Grapevine Club. What a blessing he was to so many
teens and parents. Nancy Fritz was a godsend. No task was too great, from
arrived in the spring of 1967 after graduating from PBTS, now Davis typing to teaching. She ran our closing Released Time programs. Gregg
College. Reba had invited me to serve at Rhodes Grove Camp as coun- Garman started the Living Miracles Choir, which served teens and parents well.
I selor for two weeks, and then stay on and help with Released Time. At Cathy Garber was a key player in starting and running the Koinonia Club and
that point, Kings Street and U. L. Gordy were the only schools that had been Autumn Actions. When Marie and I left in 1984, 2500 students were enrolled
opened. in weekly Released Time classes. Thirty-two donated buses were used weekly,
and 550 volunteers helped every week.
Reba left in the spring of 1969. I had the joy of helping to open six school
districts to Released Time. Jim Motter, principal of St. Thomas would go with Today, the ministry continues to grow under Aaron Ziebarth. They have three
me to the school board meetings to request permission. What a blessing he components: Released Time, leadership training, and camping. They are cur-
was! Pastor Doug Poffenburger was the key player in opening Southern Fulton. rently running Released Time in 11 counties with an enrollment of 3,254, and a
volunteer staff of 1,240. May God continue to provide for them.
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