What is Released-time/PREP4Kids? Released-time means public school students can be "released" during school hours for religious training off campus.  PREP4Kids is a non-profit ministry, which has operated in the greater-Portland area for 25 years.  PREP4Kids’ mission is to help children/youth and their families find purpose and direction in life through the study of God's Word.  PREP4Kids operates within the legal statute of ORS 339.420, which allows Oregon public elementary school students to be released for up to two hours per week for religious instruction. Classes are usually held at a church close to the school.  Students are allowed by law to make up any work that is missed at school.  Any child may attend with written permission from a parent/guardian.The PREP4Kids organization oversees released-time classes for 33 schools in Multnomah, Washington and Clackamas counties. Released time is permitted throughout the state of Oregon and in all 50states!  To see where it currently operates throughout the country, visit www.rtce.org and www.releasedtime.org.

How Does It Work? Classes are held once a week, usually in the afternoon.  In order for students to attend a PREP4Kids class, parents fill out and sign a permission form and return it to the school office.   Students are excused at the appropriate time and walk or are driven to the class site by approved PREP4Kids volunteers.  Volunteers teach Bible lessons, lead singing, and help students memorize verses in many creative ways.   Skits, art projects, contests, games, and worksheets are just a few tools that are utilized to engage the children.  At the end of class, students are accompanied back to school, where they are dismissed to return home from school by their regular transportation. PREP4Kids conducts a thorough background check and application process on each volunteer.  Volunteers are required to fill out an application/background check with three references.

Does It Make A Difference? A report from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency found that children in released-time classes did as well or better academically than their classmates who do not attend. "The program reinforces the school's existing efforts to help children grow to cherish and care for themselves and others. Curriculum teaches Judeo-Christian values such as honesty, compassion, integrity and loyalty.  Human worth and dignity is also being taught, as-well-as basic social skills needed to function productively in our society."  -Best Network

Statement of Faith: We believe the Bible to be the inspired, the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons:  Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His substitutionary and atoning death, through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. We believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential, and that man receives salvation by faith and repentance, as undeserved gifts from God. We believe in the ministry of the Holy Spirit as the third Person of the Trinity, by Whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly lfe and is empowered to witness of Christ to all humanity. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost:  those who are saved unto the resurrection of life, and those who are lost unto the resurrection of damnation. We believe that Satan exists as a personal being, the enemy of God and of all righteousness, who was defeated by Jesus Christ at Calvary and is under sentence to the Lake of Fire. We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, a unity that transcends all barriers of race, gender and economic class. We believe that the local church is the primary instrument of Christ's work in the world.

What We Teach: Our approach systematically follows God's progressive pattern of revealing His character and His plan of redemption within the context of history.  Using a four-year cycle, the lessons begin in Genesis and progress through the early church, highlighting key themes.  We do not allow any teaching specific to a particular denomination.     * Year One:  Genesis  (Creation, Patriarchs through Joseph)     2009-2010                      * Year Two:  Moses, Kings and Prophets             2010-2011                                                       * Year Three:  The Life of Christ     2011-2012     * Year Four:  The New Testament Church (in the book of Acts)     2012-2013   The curriculum is provided by the PREP Office.  Contact us for more specific information on our materials.

What Kids Are Saying: "Now that I go to PREP I know a lot more about God.  I used to say, "OH MY GOD" all the time, but now I don't say it at all.  I really like PREP because I am learing about God and I'm learning stuff I never knew before.  So that's why I like PREP!" --Charvonna, 5th grade "Something I learned about PREP is about Jesus and God.  How we sinned and that He died on the cross for us.  I really love PREP and I always can't wait till it's Wednesday."  --Anna, 5th grade "I love PREP.  I go to church every other Sunday and PREP fills in for what I might have missed.  I like PREP because I get to learn about God and I have time to worship Him."  --Ashleigh, 4th grade "I really like how nice all the teachers are.  This year I have learned Satan's name is Lucifer, which means 'Morning Star' ...  I like how you are teaching us Genesis!"  --Jordan, 5th grade "PREP to me is about getting to know God more and His commands, [and for] other people to get to know Him.  I have learned so many things in PREP.  Like about Paul, Silas and a lot more.  PREP has been so fun to me and I am definitely going to bring more people."  --Kevin, 6th grade "I like PREP because I like reading stories in my Bible and singing songs and my teacher, and learning about Jesus and God.   That's why I like PREP."  --Leslie, 3rd grade "I like PREP because I can't go to church and I get to learn about God here."  --Kathryn, 6th grade "So far PREP has been very fun.  Everyong is so nice!  I have learned about God and how He is always there for you.  I wish I started going when school started.  Since I have been going, I trust in God more.  It seems like I do braver things because I know God is with me."  --Lindsey,  5th grade "What I like about PREP is that I like to learn about the life of Paul...  I think PREP has encouraged me to do better in school and do the right things.  I love PREP!"  --Natalie,  5th grade.