By Andrea Ziebarth, Released Time Administrative Assistant
“I LOVE data entry!” is not a phrase you may often hear, but I’ve heard it said at the Released Time offices at Joy El by a couple of the volunteers who faithfully serve the ministry each week.
While some may see an endless stack of forms needing entered, our RT data entry volunteers see each permission form representing a student whose life will be greatly impacted by the Biblical truths being taught during this 2017-2018 school year. On this torn edge ½ sheet of paper, they see a child who may have never had the opportunity to hear about The Greatest Story Ever Told because their family does not attend church. They see an opportunity to pray for this child as their contact information is updated, often revealing a home life with challenges. 
With speed, accuracy, and a big heart for reaching the public school children eligible to participate in the Released Time program, our group of data entry volunteers log in and tackle the entry of the data needed to keep this program running behind the scenes. Since the beginning of the school year, over 2,500 forms have already been entered. Admittedly, some forms may require a little extra detective work to decipher the handwriting, but everyone pitches in, and we celebrate solving the case together!
As the day ends, the question I am often asked, “When can I come back?”
We started this school year by claiming this truth, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24
The Released Time program offers many opportunities to serve with great eternal benefits, visit http://joyelgeneration.org/released-time/r-t-volunteer to connect with us!
More Information:
For questions about volunteering with Joy El call 717-369-4539 or email [email protected]
The Released Time program offers many opportunities to serve with great eternal benefits, visit http://joyelgeneration.org/released-time/r-t-volunteer!
Released Time was in the national news: USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/11/25/pa-students-can-go-church-during-school-under-few-conditions/894426001/
Additional insights on Volunteering:
Six Reasons why Volunteering is Important and Awesome
The surprising benefits of volunteering
15 Unexpected benefits of Volunteering
