| Christian Learning Centers of the Upstate Inc. |
| 210-A Mount Airy Church Road |
What is Christian Learning Centers of the Upstate Inc.?
CLC of the Upstate Inc. is a
Non-Profit sponsoring organization of Released-Time Christian Education
in Anderson and Pickens County. We are a 501(c)3 organization governed
by a Board of Directors. There is a paid teaching staff and a
dedicated team of volunteers.
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Christian Learning Centers of the Upstate has 12 Teaching Sites this school year. The Lord has blessed our efforts with a 9% increase in students completing the program this year, for a total of 1188 students. Two hundred and two students made professions of faith bringing the total since 1998 to 1348.
Two new teaching sites will be added this year in Oconee County.
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Released Time is a time set aside in the school day when parents can release their children from public school during an elective class to leave campus and receive Christian instruction.
There are more than 250,000 public school students across America leaving school each day to attend released Time Christian Education Programs.
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History of Released Time Christian Education.
Released time for religious education began in Gary, Indiana in 1914. Superintendent William Wirt, believing that the children were not receiving enough moral and religious training, invited the local ministers to hold such classes. He released all children that desired to attend.
In the early 1920's, the International Council on Religious Education hired personnel to coordinate curriculum and other aspects of the Released time ministry. Enrollment nationwide grew over the next 20 years from approximately 180,000 to a high of 2.5 million.
 In 1948, the United States Supreme Court considered "McCollum v. Illinois" which challenged Released-Time programs being held in school buildings. The Court ruled against this type of program stating that it was an unconstitutional state sponsorship of religious activity.
The United States Supreme Court ruled again on Released time in 1952 in a case known as "Zorach v. Clauson". The primary difference in this case was that the classes were held off campus. Those involved in the Released time ministry today look to this decision as the legal basis for the work.
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Our staff members will transport the students to and from the school to the program location during the approved class time. The students are taught a curriculum written for Released Time based on God's word.
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Billy Ausburn
Miriam Ausburn, Treasurer/Bookkeeper
Roy Black, Chairman
Jim Bland, Vice-Chairman
Mack Edwards, Director
Carroll Emery
June Emery, Secretary
Rev. Mickey Gambrell
Brian Hale
Alex Hooper
Rev. Chris Huff
Dr. Randy Keasler
Rev. Keith Mincey
Allen Smoak
Joe Sullins
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