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2008 2009-2010

Many children in Bibb County never attend church, and due to their Fall 2009: CBM National Board meeting-
lack of Biblical upbringing, they had no spiritual hope for their future. CBM of Central Alabama became an official part of CBM.
Jeri Gregg continued to have a great burden for our children because so
many of them didn‘t know Jesus. Released Time was a way to show Starting a new ministry takes: prayer, talking to anyone who will listen, visiting
these children that Jesus was the only Hope for their lives! churches, approaching people to become local board members, and constantly
In 2008 the first week of day camp in Bibb County was held with introducing the concept of Released Time to individuals and area schools.
twenty-two children attending and twenty volunteer staff serving. In 2010 eight campers, along with Jeri Gregg, attended a week at Camp Victory.

2008 CBM day campers (Possible future Camp Hope counselors!) Bibb County Campers Camp Victory 2009 Bibb County Campers Camp Victory 2010

God gives a Vision God goes before us

n April of 2009 I felt God was directing me to become a full-time mission-
J I the three-days of day camp that was scheduled for Bibb County. Thanks to
anuary 3, 2008 - a meeting was held to discuss the possibility
ary with CBM. I attended candidate school in April 2009 but had to miss
of starting a CBM Bible camp ministry in Bibb County. Jerry
Traister, CBM National Director, several local citizens, and volunteers who took my place, the children had a great time at camp each day.
On August 19, 2009, CBM National Director, Jerry Traister, joined our local
some business people attended the meeting. By the spring of committee to visit the Bibb County Superintendent of Education. We spoke
2008, CBM of Central Alabama had come into existence. First with him about starting a Released Time program in our area schools. We left
Board members: Rev. Jack Allen, Edwina Greathouse, Judy the meeting aglow with success! The superintendent had given us his blessing
to approach school principals and board members regarding Released Time.
Herron, Matthew Kornman, Linda Renn Pierce, (two members, We knew God had gone before us and paved the way. I believed our efforts
Rev. Joel Kavanaugh and Don Wadsworth are no longer on the would begin to show immediate results.
board), and myself. In April we held our first day camp at Cahaba Unfortunately, sometimes life takes a dark turn. Two days after the meeting,
August 21, my son Steven, age 29, died in his sleep. Even though I still strug-
Historical Park in Centreville. Twenty-two children signed up for gle with acceptance and understanding of Steven‘s death, and grief keeps me
camp and there were twenty volunteers and staff. Children en- from enjoying life as I once did, I still see and feel the vision I received from
joyed Bible lessons, music, crafts, games, team sports, wagon and God to have a camp of our own. This year we hope to start the CBM telephone
ministry for boys and girls. We also plan to begin the Mailbox Club program at
horseback rides, water games, golfing, and of course, they learned Cahawba Christian Academy. Both of these programs will help children to
about Jesus! On Friday evening, the children performed for their attend CBM camp at reduced rates.
parents by presenting plays of the Bible stories. Everyone agreed As part of my efforts to serve God, not only do I plan to continue working
towards starting a Released Time program in Bibb County schools, but I will
our first camp was a great success! also continue taking children to Camp Victory each summer, and work towards
the goal of starting our own Bible camp, Camp Hope.
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