About Us | School Ministries Ohio

OUR HISTORY

Nearly two decades ago, we began training Ohio leaders to offer Released Time Bible Education and in 2014 we took the lead to educate Ohio’s legislature, which passed a law codifying Released Time and offering high school credit. Since that action, the number of school districts with RT policies has more than doubled and now over 60% of all districts have a policy.

Today, we understand now more than ever, the importance of equipping you to help your community start, grow and sustain a Released Time Bible Education program to bring hope and truth to your public school students. We serve multiple school districts across Ohio and we are guiding many to walk through the doors God is opening.

MEET OUR STAFF

DAN COY

Executive Director

Dan joined the staff of School Ministries Ohio in July 2023 and serves as Executive Director. A veteran Next Gen pastor, educator and businessman, Dan brings 30+ years of experience in recruiting, shaping, and empowering leaders to live by Biblical principles to impact every area of culture. Dan is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Janice, and they have 2 married children and 6 amazing grandchildren.

His life verse is James 1:27 “Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

JENNI LAURSEN

Founder and Consultant

Jenni has served as Executive Director of SMO since its incorporation in 2007 and State Director for School Ministries, the largest association of Released Time Bible Education programs. Jenni is married to Finn Laursen, mom to three, and grandma to six.

Jenni's life verse is Philippians 3:10-11: “I want to know Christ—yes...becoming like Him in his death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead."

LYSA MORRIS

Assistant Director

Lysa joined the staff in the spring of 2023 equipped with experience helping communities successfully start, operate and grow released time programs. With a background in communications, video production, and process management and Lysa brings unique abilities, talents to help build bridges that lead children to Jesus. Married to her loving husband, John, they share 4 daughters, and 5 grandchildren.

A verse that inspires her work is Matthew 19:14 - Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

LYDIA MILLER

Office Manager

Lydia serves on staff as Office Manager. Although a homeschool instructor for over 20 years, Lydia sees the desperate need for public school students to hear the good news that Jesus is the only way.

Her favorite verse is Hebrews 12:2 "Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

What Is Released Time?

The only legal way for public school students to study the Bible academically and devotionally during the school day.

Privately

Funded

Parent

Approved

Legal Location

“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”

—Psalm 90:17

MEET OUR BOARD

Dave Wolfe

Serving as Chairman of the Board since 2007 Dave has a Masters in Youth and Family Pastoring,. He has a passion for Released Time Programs because of “God the impact it has on children. He believes that RT Programs help children who are in dire need of learning the truth, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 is a favorite verse “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances.”

Sara Pahl, CPA

Sara has served as a member of the School Ministries Ohio board since 2011. She loves that Released Time provides a resource for public school students to learn about Jesus and to grow in their faith.

Philippians 4:6 is a favorite verse: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

Brenda Delong

A member of the Crestview Bible Board since 1990 when classes were held in the school, Brenda played a key role over 20 years ago in relocating and building a Bible House off school property, where students still attend released time classes today.

Proverbs 3:5-6 became a favorite verse to guide the Crestivew board and personally.

Pam Johnston

Pam and her husband, Bill, founded RESET, a Columbus area based Released Time program in 2016, prior to Bill’s death at the end of that same year.

They believed their legacy was to share the Word of God with as many of the future leaders of this country as possible! Called to the inner city of Columbus RESET seeks to teach the Bible's truth to the next generation.

Cathy Gerber

Director of development and community relations for The Ohio State University at Marion, Cathy has had an extensive career in communications, community relations and event planning mostly in manufacturing and now in higher education. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from The Ohio State University.

Cathy's favorite verse is Psalm 91:1: "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."

Jeff McClain

Recently retired after 40 years as a government official, including 26 years as Wyandot County Auditor, 8 years in the Ohio House of Representatives and in Governor DeWine’s cabinet as the Tax Commissioner at the Ohio Department of Taxation. Jeff and his wife Barb have over the years joyfully served God in many places, but particularly Trinity Evangelical Church in Upper Sandusky.

Jeff has many verses that are precious to him, but is especially thankful for what God did as described in a song by Steven Curtis Chapman. "It happened one night. With a tiny baby’s birth. God heard creation crying. And He sent heaven to earth"

Jim Stauffer

Serving as lead Pastor at Trinity Evangelical in Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Jim is a graduate of Bowling Green State University with his Bachelor’s of Science in Education and is a licensed Secondary Education teacher in the state of Ohio. He earned his Master’s of Divinity from Asbury Seminary in Wilmore, KY. Jim and his wife Karen have been active in the local Bible Released Time program. Karen served as a volunteer chaperoning students to their BRT classroom and Jim taught one of the first High School RT classes which counted towards graduation for the students.

Sue Yount, JD 1960-2023

Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Matthew 25:23

The Sue Yount Memorial Get Going Grant was named in her honor as that was her passion-to help new communities start Released Time Bible Education classes.

Sue Yount Memorial Service