GAINESVILLE - A Christian-based youth development program celebrates its 40th anniversary Thursday night with a special program at First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville.<br>
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It was in 1967 that four churches - First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, St. Paul United Methodist, and Grace Episcopal - began work on what would become the Christian Education Centers. The idea was conceived by the late Judge Bill Gunter. The current executive director, David Smith, says the purpose was to give Gainesville High students a way to voluntarily supplement their public education with classes in Christian Education but it has now expanded beyond that to include adolescent and family counseling, alcohol and tobacco prevention, and adolescent mentoring. .<br>
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Smith says other programs around Georgia and in other states are modeling similar programs on Gainesville's.<br>
