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1992 1993 1994 1996-1997

Bible Fellowships, Inc. Bible Fellowships sponsored the The case went to trial by jury in Okla- 1996 Harold Ball of Ponca City, was encouraged to
(formerly The Bible Lov- first Released Time program in homa City federal court. Plaintiffs were begin a Released Time program
ers League), New Lima Wanette, Oklahoma awarded the following damages: $1.00
Independent School Dis- Released Time program started each to the grandfather and two students, 1996 OK branch of Bible Fellowships was incorporated as
trict, and George shortly thereafter in Byars, OK and $250.00 to the grandmother. CBM Ministries of the Great Southwest, Inc.
Warrington, were sued Oliver Price contacted CBM Ministries 1997 Andreina Rains helped spread the word about
by the A.C.L.U. Other classes in central Oklahoma about how to start Released Time Released Time by radio
followed

George
George
Warrington with Warrington
Released Time teaches Byars,
students (1985) OK, Released
Time students
(1999)

Transition (1992 – 1999)

n late 1996, George contacted a friend
n January, 1992, Bible Fellowships, Inc. (formerly The Bible Lov- I
ers League), New Lima Independent School District, and George in Ponca City, Harold Ball, and en-
I arrington, were sued by the A.C.L.U. following a complaint couraged him to consider starting Re-
W
from grandparents of two New Lima students. leased Time there. Doors began to open, and
Attorneys with The Rutherford Institute defended George and Bible the first class was held in April, 1997, at Kil-
Fellowships, and in January, 1994, the case went to trial by jury in Okla- dare School.
homa City federal court. Plaintiffs were awarded the following damages: With the help of Andreina Rains, word
$1.00 each to the grandfather and two students, and $250.00 to the
grandmother. about Released Time spread, and programs
As a result of this suit, George was urged by the board of Bible Fellow- were begun in Chelsea, Tulsa, Nowata, and Crooked Oak.
ships and the local Oklahoma board to develop a Released Time Bible During this time (1996), plans were proceeding for the Oklahoma
Class program. Oliver Price contacted CBM Ministries which, at the group to affiliate with CBM Ministries. In July, the Oklahoma
time, had 15,000 Released Time students in seven states. branch of Bible Fellowships, Inc. was incorporated as CBM.
In November, 1993, Bible Fellowships sponsored the first Released
Time program in Oklahoma in the community of Wanette, with a class
in nearby Byars starting shortly thereafter. Other classes in central Okla-
homa followed, but several schools were hesitant to grant approval due
to the pending legal issues.

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