LifeWise Academy

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LifeWise Academy is an Ohio-based Christian educational program founded in 2018 to provide Bible education for public school students during school hours under released time laws. [1] LifeWise Academy states that it is interdenominational, aligned "with historic, orthodox Christian beliefs as expressed in the Nicene Creed." [2]

Contents

History

LifeWise Academy was founded in 2018 by Joel Penton, a former Ohio State defensive lineman, [3] [4] as a division of the nonprofit ministry Stand for Truth, where Penton serves as executive director. [5] The organization was inspired by the weekday religious education program in his hometown of Van Wert, Ohio, in 2012, [3] and its programming is designed for public school students. [6] Penton has described public schools as a "mission field." [7]

The organization is based in Hilliard, Ohio. As of 2024, the organization operates with paid employees in 30 states, [8] and by the end of the year is projected to be in over 600 public school districts in 30 states. [7]

LifeWise Academy programs receive funding from local churches, [9] private donors, [5] and grants from organizations such as the National Christian Foundation. [10] For fiscal year 2024, LifeWise's largest received donation of $13,168,399 was made by the donor-advised fund American Endowment Foundation. [11]

LifeWise Academy states that it is an ecumenical organization aligned "with historic, orthodox Christian beliefs as expressed in the Nicene Creed." [2] With regard to varying theological opinions in Christianity, the LifeWise curriculum informs its "teachers to say there are different churches and that sincere Christians have different views on these topics" and because of Christian denominational differences, it focuses on common teachings that are shared by the major Christian denominations. [12] The founder Joel Penton noted that Lifewise Academy had teachers from various Christian denominations, including evangelicals and Catholics. [12]

In December 2023, Lifewise Academy purchased a 23,000-square-foot facility, formerly Aquatic Adventures, in Hilliard, Ohio to serve as a training and conference center. [13] Penton plans to name a training room after Jim Tressel, who raised funds for LifeWise in 2023. [14]

In 2024, LifeWise Academy launched the first Oklahoma program at Tahlequah Public Schools [15] after several board members reluctantly approved. [16] LifeWise currently operates in 30 states. [17]

In 2025, the Heritage Foundation recognized LifeWise Academy with an Innovation Award. [18]

In 2025, former Lewisburg, Ohio LifeWise Academy program teacher Rachel Snell filed an age-based labor discrimination claim with the Ohio Civil Rights Commission (OCRC), alleging she was pressured to falsify timesheets, was disciplined for undefined “unholy” social media activity, and forced to resign. LifeWise denied the claims and, in June 2025, filed a writ of mandamus asking the Ohio Supreme Court to block the OCRC investigation, citing the “ministerial exception” that protects religious organizations from government interference in employment decisions involving religious roles. Snell rejected a financial settlement and said she seeks changes to LifeWise’s internal financial policies. As of mid-2025, the OCRC has closed its investigation into LifeWise and granted Snell the right to sue. [19] [20] [21] [22]

Lobbying

Beginning in 2023, LifeWise began an ongoing quarterly retainer with firm Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick to provide lobbying services. [23]

Alabama

In 2025, AL.com reported that LifeWise Academy supported legislation in Alabama (HB342) that would require public school districts to award elective credit for students participating in religious release time programs. Derek Stemen, a LifeWise vice president, testified in favor of the bill, stating that the organization believed parents should have the choice to provide religious instruction for their children. The article noted that LifeWise has lobbied in Alabama and other states for similar policies, often expanding operations following the passage of such laws. Critics, including a local school board president, characterized the effort as driven by LifeWise rather than grassroots advocacy, highlighting that the organization had retained an Alabama lobbyist to promote the bill. [24]

Oklahoma

According to Penton, LifeWise lobbied Oklahoma lawmakers to pass House Bill 1425, sponsored by Rep. Clay Staires and Senator Dave Rader, supplying them with “education materials about legislation that is aligned with our mission.” [25]

LifeWise Academy leaders, Joel Penton and Steve Clifton, attending signing of House Bill 1425, with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. LifeWise leadership at Oklahoma RTRI bill signing.png
LifeWise Academy leaders, Joel Penton and Steve Clifton, attending signing of House Bill 1425, with Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt.

Programming

LifeWise Academy operates under released time for religious instruction laws which were upheld in the 1952 US Supreme Court ruling, Zorach v. Clauson. [1] [26] This ruling allowed a school district to allow students to leave school for part of the day to receive religious instruction. [26] However, three requirements needed to be met: classes are off school property; it's privately funded; and students participate with the permission of their parents. [3] Release time programs are traditionally locally run and managed, whereas LifeWise Academy is a franchise model working with local steering committees to advocate for the program in their districts, including running for school board. [27]

Programs are staffed by a director, teachers and volunteers, who help transport students and assist in classrooms as needed, paid by LifeWise Academy. [1] High school programs may offer high school or college credits. In Ohio, the instruction can't take place during a “core curriculum” subject, often meeting at the same time as art or music classes, library periods, or during lunch. [1] [9]

Curriculum

LifeWise Academy's curriculum is based on The Gospel Project, a Bible study program produced by LifeWay Christian Resources [28] designed for elementary schools as a five-year program covering the full Bible. [1] LifeWise is required to provide access to its full curriculum upon request. [29]

In 2025, Ms. Magazine published a report alleging that sections of the LifeWise curriculum repurposed material from Jeff Myers and David A. Noebel's book Understanding the Times and expressed disapproval of family structures outside the heterosexual nuclear family. [30] LifeWise has not commented directly on the report, and other reviewers have noted positive effects on school attendance and discipline among participants. [31]

Reception

A Fall 2023 study by Indiana consulting firm Thomas P. Miller & Associates found that schools that use LifeWise have improved attendance and fewer suspensions. The report quoted Shalonda Likely-Roach, a principal in Columbus City Schools, saying she had witnessed improvements, including higher grades, increased school attendance and fewer disciplinary actions among students who participate in Lifewise. [32] [33] The validity of the study's methodology has been questioned by Honesty for Ohio Education. [34]

Some progressive Christian organizations have argued that LifeWise reflects broader conservative efforts to expand religious influence in public schools. [35]

Among Christians

In 2021, Doug Garand, a Catholic priest of St. Augustine Parish in Napoleon, Ohio urged parishioners not to participate in or financially support the program, fearing the LifeWise curriculum could draw children away from the tenets of their Catholic faith. [12] Peter Marcis, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Napoleon, Ohio regretted that "all clergy in the community were not brought together to work out the details." [12] On the other hand, Karissa Rutkowski, coordinator of Catholic religious education at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Van Wert, "has never been told that someone who participated in the LifeWise classes stopped going to the parish religious-education program as a result." [12]

Leaders in progressive Christian groups have expressed concerns that the program aligns with a right wing movement to encroach on public education in the United States. [36]

The socially conservative Family Research Council praised LifeWise Academy for its expansion and repeating Lifewise claims that students in the program performed well on exams and had better class attendance. [37] LifeWise was a sponsor for Turning Point USA's 2024 summit. [7]

Among parents

The Vermilion Daily reported that "Parents have noted the positive influence of the program, emphasizing its role in helping children develop a strong moral foundation and enhancing values taught at home." [38]

On the other side, in 2023, Parents Against LifeWise was formed by parents who had seen detrimental effects for their children who did not participate in the program. Initially they raised awareness about claims of increased bullying, unsupervised "study hall" during LifeWise programming, disruptions to curriculum, and a perceived lack of background checks.

In 2024, LifeWise sued Parents Against LifeWise administrator and former LifeWise program volunteer Zachary Parrish for copyright violations after he put LifeWise's training materials and bible study curriculum online. [7] The lawsuit was settled, with terms requiring Parrish to destroy all copies of LifeWise curriculum in his possession, while LifeWise is required to provide access to its full curriculum for 48 hours at a time upon request. [39] Parrish said the settlement was a win, since parents were previously unable to see the curriculum. [29] In early 2025, the name of the Parents Against LifeWise organization was changed to the Secular Education Association to reflect their broader mission of maintaining secular education in public schools. [40]

In March 2024, another Ohio parent, Keith Comer, launched a website called "Respect Public Schools" with a map of school districts with LifeWise Academy operations, as well as statistics and other information about the program. The organization sent Comer cease and desist letters and threatened felony charges. Another parent, Mariah Carroll, found Lifewise to be important and worked to bring it into her community. Jackie Haines "said her daughter enjoys attending LifeWise, a program she believes builds character, confidence and bonds with peers." She further lauded that Lifewise "really enhances their toolkit when they face, inevitably, some type of adversity at school." [41]

In Washington state, parent Geydon Gezahegne stated that "It has been great for us because our son is learning how to grow his mind and his spirit". Other parents expressed concern that offsite materials and programming influence student socialization when they return from school, and worry about disruptions to instruction time. [36]

Child protection concerns

Concerns have been raised by parties external to LifeWise regarding preventative child protection protocols and background checks requirements.

Following child protection and safety issues flagged by outside parties, critics have raised concerns after LifeWise removed the names and contact information of its local program employees and volunteers from its website. [42]

Background Checks

LifeWise states its staff and volunteers “undergo a comprehensive background screening,” [43] but critics argue that the organization’s background checks are inadequate. [44]

In April 2025, LifeWise’s legal counsel First Liberty Institute opposed public school policy consultant Neola’s draft school district RTRI policy requiring school boards to judge “satisfactory” background checks for release time programming. First Liberty argued the standard exceeded Ohio law and risked religious discrimination. Instead, First Liberty recommended LifeWise programs should annually certify compliance with state background check requirements to reduce administrative burdens. [45]

“School districts that would adopt Neola’s proposed policy would either be buried in more bureaucracy or tempted to leverage the added layers of bureaucracy to reduce or eliminate access to the release time education the Ohio Legislature has mandated.” [45]

Program oversight and safety issues

In July 2024, Parents Against LifeWise reported that a LifeWise program director in Firelands, Ohio, was a former teacher whose license had been revoked following allegations of sexting with multiple minor students. LifeWise subsequently dismissed the director, stating the worker had failed to disclose the information. [46]

Concerning the incident, Penton stated:

"We have since learned that while no charges had been filed and she didn’t have a criminal record, she failed to disclose important information to LifeWise staff about her employment history. We have terminated her employment." [47]

In late 2024, LifeWise approved a program for the DeKalb County Eastern Community School District in Butler, Indiana, to be held in a conference room at Color Master, a chemical factory employing a registered sex offender classified as a “sexually violent predator” with a child victim. A district email confirmed that school officials were aware of the chosen program location for children's bible study. [48]

Response from LifeWise

In response to background check and child safety concerns, Penton stated that LifeWise welcomes the scrutiny.

“You know, there is a, an issue with the teacher, which was a little over a year ago. So somebody that there was nothing on their background check. It was in their work history. But before the program, it was a director, in fact, wasn’t a teacher and local director before the program even got up and running, it was discovered and that person was terminated. And, you brought up a facility, you know, before the program started, a different facility was chosen. And so I think that those are examples of how the system’s working.  I think it’s safe to say this, the spotlight’s on us, but that’s, that’s quite all right. You know, safety is our highest priority. We want to do things completely above board. We want to do things the right way. And so we welcome the scrutiny. We welcome the microscope, the spotlight.” [49]

Critics of LifeWise have disputed Penton’s statement “the system’s working.”

“LifeWise didn’t catch these horrific violations of safety and protection of our children and parents’ trust. It was concerned community members doing LifeWise’s job for them.  And, Joel Penton claims the fact that people outside of his organization discovered these violations as proof LifeWise’s background check is working… …When detractors say that Respect Public Schools - Washington should mind our own business, and let parents make their own choices for their young children, it’s egregious examples like those shown above that demonstrate why we exist. Because we cannot trust LifeWise to do the bare minimum to keep our kids safe.” [50]

School policies

Alabama

April 2025, Alabama adopted an RTRI bill requiring school boards to adopt policies on whether to allow students to leave school for religious study and give them academic credit for it. SB 278 was sponsored by Sen. Shay Shelnut and Sen. Susan DuBose. [51]

Indiana

In 2024, Indiana passed legislation filed by Kendell Culp to require schools to allow released time religious instruction after a school stopped cooperating with LifeWise. [52]

Citing district RTRI policy, in July 2025 New Prairie United School District declined to allow LifeWise to start a program following LifeWise failing to provide copies of employees and volunteers' independently completed or Indiana State Police-ran background checks after multiple requests. [53]

Kentucky

In early 2025, Kentucky legislators voted to allow public school boards to partner with organizations that offer moral instruction through religious or ethical programs to students [54] ; the new law became effective June 27, 2025. [55]

LifeWise has faced opposition in Kentucky among some Oldham County Schools community members following a proposed policy allowing elective credit to be available through a partnership with LifeWise. [56]

Nebraska

In 2025, Nebraska legislator Loren Lippincott proposed a bill modeled after other released time legislation with a LifeWise representative testifying in support.

The bill was removed from the Education Committee package due to pushback, with Republican legislators privately telling Nebraska Examiner that it went "too far," and Merv Riepe said the bill presented "high potential" for discrimination against other faiths. [57]

Democratic legislator Megan Hunt also opposed the bill, taking issue with LifeWise's recruitment model which can involve free T-shirts, snacks, and other incentives for students.

“This is like Tupperware in the school,” Hunt said. “They’ve got to all bring a friend. The friends who aren't allowed to go are already feeling bad because they're excluded, they're not on the fun red bus, they're not getting the T-shirt, and now, if they don't go with their friend to church during school, their friend doesn't get a popcorn party, so then they're ostracized even more.” [58]

New Jersey

In late 2024 in Ocean City, New Jersey, a local steering committee working with Landmark Church proposed a LifeWise religious release time program for Ocean City public school students. [59]

Ohio

In 2022, Gahanna-Jefferson Public Schools rescinded their released time policy, citing student instructional time as the primary concern. [13] The program has since been blocked by at least four other districts. [60]

In 2023, objection letters were dispatched to around 600 school districts in Ohio by atheist organization Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF), expressing concerns about the endorsement of LifeWise's released-time Bible classes. [61] The organization had been contacted by Ohioans who were concerned about how large-scale released time religious programs can negatively impact educational goals and that students have a First Amendment right to be free from religious indoctrination. [62] The letter highlighted the goal of LifeWise to convert students, and reported a complaint that a student not participating in the program was assigned additional homework. [32] Other complaints have documented instances of LifeWise volunteers promoting the program in school classrooms, assemblies, and in paperwork sent home to parents. [27]

In 2024, Eaton Community Schools in Preble County ended their three year after-school program through LifeWise rather than transition to a school day program. LifeWise founder Penton describes the Eaton program as "experimental," and there are no other before or after school programs. [29]

Following the objection letters, Ohio Attorney General David Yost released a statement reaffirming his stance of the legality of LifeWise programs as long as they follow Ohio law. [63] [64] [65] Lieutenant governor Jon Husted promoted the program within his official capacity as an elected official. [66]

In September 2024, Westerville City Schools' board of education voted to rescind the district's RTRI policy due to "...significant concerns about the disruptions caused by pulling kids out of school during the middle of the day." [67] In December 2024, Worthington City Schools voted 4-0 to rescind the district's RTRI policy. [68]

LifeWise lobbied for the 2024 bill introduced by Ohio representatives Al Cutrona and Gary Click that would require schools to permit released time religious education, also supported by First Liberty Institute and Ohio Christian Education Network and signed into law by Mike DeWine. [69] [7] [29]

In 2025, following state requirements to allow released time for religious education programs, North East Ohio Learning Associates (NEOLA) issued updated guidance for school districts to manage released time with minimal disruptions to school activities. [70] First Liberty Institute, representing LifeWise, threatened to sue Ohio school districts that do not allow students to bring candy and other "goodies" back to school from program instruction, describing this as a violation of religious liberty and freedom of speech. A parent noted in her testimony that her child's school policy forbids parents from sending food-based treats to school with students. [71]

Oklahoma

Oklahoma representative Clay Staires sponsored the 2024 legislation that requires Oklahoma public schools to have a policy allowing religious time release programs. The bill's senate sponsor, David Rader, said he saw no contradiction with conservative "local control" values, incorrectly claiming that school districts had authority to approve offsite curriculum or student travel.

The law is unusual in that schools are now required to reward academic credits from third party instruction. [72] Oklahoma’s law requires permits students to attend release-time classes for up to three class periods per week. [73]

Regent Bank, Kimray and Hobby Lobby are among the businesses covering the costs of LifeWise operations in Oklahoma. [74]

The Satanic Temple has announced intentions to launch their own time release program in Oklahoma, Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL), to provide alternative opportunities for students. [72]

Texas

By early 2025, LifeWise had launched active programs in Texas including Amarillo and Abilene. In Amarillo, the Academy operated at South Georgia and Forest Hill elementary schools, offering weekly or bi-weekly Bible-based lessons during the lunch period. [75] Forest Hill hosted the organization’s first bilingual class. In Abilene, fourth-grade students from Stafford Elementary attended off-campus lessons at the Christian Service Center during lunch and recess. [76]

LifeWise CEO, Joel Penton, and Texas state directors at Texas capitol LifeWise meets at Texas capitol building.png
LifeWise CEO, Joel Penton, and Texas state directors at Texas capitol

A February 2025 poll of 800 registered Texas voters conducted by RMG Research found that 80% support teaching moral and character education in public schools. Additionally, 65% expressed support for Bible-based character lessons offered during school hours, provided the instruction is off-campus, privately funded, and voluntary with parental consent. The poll was cited by LifeWise Academy in support of its expansion efforts in Texas. [77]

In May 2025, LifeWise CEO Joel Penton stated he was in Texas meeting with the organization's state directors and other key individuals from around the state. [78]

June 2025, texas governor Greg Abbott signed into law SB 1049 allowing students to be excused from public schools for one to five hours per week for religious instruction. [79]

Washington

In January 2025, LifeWise Academy launched its first program in Washington State near Emerson Elementary in Everett, offering off-site Bible instruction during recess and lunch. The program operates at New Hope Assembly church and is not affiliated with Everett public schools.

Community response was mixed. Supporters cited faith-based character education:

“It has been great for us because our son is learning how to grow his mind and his spirit,” wrote Geydon Gezahegne, a parent whose child, a student at Emerson, attends LifeWise, in a testimonial to the nonprofit. “Having it during the day has made it a part of his everyday life, and that has been crucial for his growth, which we find incredibly valuable.” [80]

Critics raised concerns about mid-day religious instruction, social division among students, and ties to the Southern Baptist Convention via LifeWise’s licensed curriculum. [80] In late 2024, Respect Public Schools Washington was formed by concerned parents and guardians, clergy, and community members who firmly believe in the separation of church and state for public schools. [81]

The Everett school district denied requests to distribute materials in school and emphasized it neither endorses nor partners with LifeWise.

At a July 2025 board meeting, Everett School District board of education member Charles Adkins gave a public statement regarding LifeWise:

"My conscience demands that I speak about this… I also believe strongly that what we are allowing LifeWise to do is wrong and is harming our kids. The very kids I was elected to protect. LifeWise and its mission to bring white supremacy and Christian nationalism to our schools cannot be allowed to have access to our kids. LifeWise is explicitly supported by the Heritage Foundation and its Project 2025 effort to turn our nation into a fascist theocracy… And as someone who attended one of the last remaining boarding schools, still run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, I'm all too familiar with the dark history that religious education has in this country with its treatment of kids of color, of native kids, of LGBT kids. I’m all too familiar with the attempts in the past and present by the white Christian majority to snuff out the cultures, religion, and language of native kids and other kids of color. We cannot allow this religious brainwashing and bullying of non-Christian and LGBT kids to take place when we can do something to stop it. We must do everything we possibly can to protect our kids." [82]

By April 2025, LifeWise had also expanded to Spokane and Aberdeen, with additional programs in development statewide. [80]

Awards

See also

References

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  65. ↑ "OPINION NO. 2019-015" (PDF). April 17, 2019. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  66. ↑ DiAlesandro, Wendy (October 4, 2023). "Portage County schools likely to reject religious programs on offer from private Christian organization". The Portager. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  67. ↑ Pope, Zurie (October 7, 2024). "Westerville school board rescinds religious release policy: What's next for LifeWise Academy?". Ohio Capital Journal. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  68. ↑ Vugrincic, Allie (December 10, 2024). "Worthington ends school day religious release time, shuttering another LifeWise program". WOSU Public Media. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  69. ↑ Jackson, Tom (June 3, 2024). "Bill would encourage religious instruction in public schools". Courier. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  70. ↑ MIllard, Katie (April 18, 2025). "Attorney says policies restricting LifeWise, like those in Columbus schools, could violate First Amendment". NBC4 WCMH-TV. Archived from the original on April 19, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
  71. ↑ Ingles, Jo (April 17, 2025). "Lifewise could sue Ohio schools for banning goodies offered to kids on religious release time". The Statehouse News Bureau. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  72. 1 2 Wallis, Beth (April 3, 2025). "Off-campus religious education courses expand to growing number of Oklahoma schools". KGOU. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  73. ↑ Russo, Charles (June 19, 2024). "Satan in Schools? 'Release Time' Laws Open Door to Religious Lessons for K-12 Students". U.S. News. Retrieved July 30, 2025.
  74. ↑ "More Oklahoma communities are embracing Bible classes during public school hours". Oklahoman. April 30, 2025.
  75. ↑ Maestas, Brianna (March 25, 2025). "LifeWise Academy teaches about head, heart and hands with Bible education". Amarillo Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  76. ↑ Neptune, Felicity (January 31, 2025). "LifeWise Academy offers 'Bible-based character education' to local fourth grade students". KTXS. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  77. ↑ "POLL: 80% of Texas Voters Support Teaching Moral and Character Education to Public School Students". LifeWise Academy. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  78. ↑ "LifeWise State of the Ministry (May 2025)". YouTube. May 13, 2025. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  79. ↑ Foley, Ryan (June 23, 2025). "Texas will allow public school students to receive religious instruction during the school day". The Christian Post. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
  80. 1 2 3 Geschke, Will (April 19, 2025). "Everett off-campus Bible program draws mixed reaction from parents". HeraldNet. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  81. ↑ "ABOUT | Respect Public Schools WA". Respect Public Schools Washington. July 3, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  82. ↑ "Everett Public Schools Regular Board Meeting 2025.07.01". Vimeo. July 1, 2025. Retrieved July 3, 2025.
  83. ↑ "Heritage Awards over $1 Million to Conservative Organizations in 2025 Innovation Prizes". Institute for Family Studies. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
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