Latest news with #LifeWise
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Bible education program comes at a cost, group says
May 16—LIMA — A popular offsite Bible class for public school students is restricting class time for students who don't participate, say the founders of the Secular Education Association. LifeWise Academy, the rapidly expanding Christian group that teaches children about the Bible through public school released-time for religious instruction waivers, is "using the public schools as a mission field," Molly Gaines said during a visit to Lima on Thursday. She and co-founder Zachary Parrish met with Allen County Democrats Thursday to discuss the evangelical mission behind LifeWise Academy and the influence they say the offsite Bible classes are having on students who don't participate. Other parents' choices 'affecting my child' Supporters defend LifeWise as an option for parents who want to incorporate religious instruction into their child's school day without having to enroll in a private school. Parents like Parrish argue the classes are still harmful because students who don't participate must repeat a class or stay behind in study hall while their peers are gone, so LifeWise students won't miss instructional time. Parrish started Parents Against LifeWise on Facebook, now known as the Secular Education Association, after learning his young daughter was sitting in study hall while her classmates were at LifeWise. The girl was in second grade. "When your choices start affecting my child's education, that's a problem," Parrish said. When Parrish shared his story online, he heard from other parents whose children experienced the same. "There's a lot of bullying, a lot of ostracizing" of students who don't go to LifeWise, he said. 'During school hours' Van Wert native Joel Penton founded LifeWise Academy after observing the success of Cross Over the Hill, an offsite Bible class for Van Wert schools. Penton streamlined the model by providing churches and volunteers with ready-made petitions, curriculum, fundraising support and instructions for how to lobby a school board to bring a LifeWise Academy to their local public schools. He relied on a little-known U.S. Supreme Court ruling that permits public school students to receive offsite religious instruction during the school day, so long as a parent consents and no public funds are used, to teach the Bible "during school hours." The program is spreading rapidly throughout the country, with LifeWise Academies available to all public schoolchildren in Allen County except Lima. Rapid expansion in Allen County Elida became the first district in Allen County to approve the release of students for LifeWise Academy, with the help of Christian broadcast network WTLW in 2020. The station purchased a bus and a home near the elementary school, which was converted into classrooms for LifeWise use. The network formed a subsidiary, ACTS Character Academy, to raise money for expenses. It now oversees academies in Allen East, Bath, Columbus Grove, Perry and Spencerville, providing staff and volunteers for each program. LifeWise programs in Shawnee and Delphos are operated independently of WTLW through the national LifeWise organization. The group inspired similar released-time programs like Kingdom Harvest Ministries, based in Celina, which is now available to children in Auglaize and Mercer counties. A moral education Structure varies from school to school. Students are typically excused during an elective or non-core classes like library, but schools may also use built-in free periods to release students for LifeWise. Attendance rates here average at 60% for grades 1-6, said Kevin Bowers, president of ACTS Ministries. Each Bible lesson is tied to a character trait like trustworthiness or honesty, with curriculum provided by the national LifeWise organization based on the Gospel Project. Bowers said most children do not attend church, but a majority of parents believe their children should receive character education, and most of those parents say the Bible should be the basis for that education, he said. "We don't apologize for the fact that the Bible is the basis for our program," Bowers said. "Some might call it indoctrination. We call it teaching. "Children are going to learn morals and ethics from somewhere, and it might as well be the Bible, in our view, because that's not only the foundation of Christian faith, but we believe in the foundation of our Western civilization." Children ask, 'Why won't you let me do this?' While the program is voluntary, parents like Parrish and Gaines say children are pressured by their peers to join LifeWise, which they say is contrary to how released-time programs functioned in the past. Now, children see LifeWise as a "party," Gaines said. "We have children coming home saying, 'Why won't you let me do this,'" Gaines said. "These are Jewish kids in second grade. They don't understand why they can't go to LifeWise." The academies brand themselves as inter-denominational Christian character education, but Gaines said the classes are designed to "indoctrinate" and "proselytize to every child" using a "narrow, hateful" interpretation of Christianity. "It's biblical literalism," she said. "It's evangelical in nature. (Children) are encouraged to proselytize not only to their friends, but to their family." "To say it's hateful almost doesn't deserve a response," Bowers said. He added, "It's been a blessing. It's actually helping schools accomplish what they want to accomplish, and that's to build well-rounded individuals that are going to participate in society and make good life decisions." Featured Local Savings
Yahoo
20-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thousands gather at Ohio Statehouse to protest Trump administration
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Thousands of protesters gathered at the Ohio Statehouse Saturday afternoon in a nationwide protest against the Trump administration. 'This is a great state of Ohio, and this is a great day for democracy, because our democracy is in existential jeopardy by the Trump administration,' protester Bill Tipton said. The protest was the latest national crusade organized by 50501, symbolizing 50 protests, 50 states and one movement. The protests have been going on for several months, and organizers say they are working to fight executive overreach and uphold the Constitution. How LifeWise restrictions could violate First Amendment People laid on their car horns in support as they drove past the roughly 4,000 protesters flooding the front of the Statehouse. Lead organizer of Columbus 50501, Madison Tracy, said there were even more protesters on April 5, which drew 6,000 for a 'National Day of Action.' 'It's not just about one party for us,' Tracy said. 'It is about all political spectrums and just uniting everyone that is under one common goal and that's going against the current Trump Administration.' Columbus' protest was one of just 52 across Ohio Saturday, and one of hundreds across the nation. Many people held signs, reading things like 'When injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty' or 'If you're not angry, you're not paying attention.' Ohio grant canceled by DOGE leaves these LGBTQ+ historical markers in limbo Protesters said they are concerned the Trump administration is harming the structure of American government. From tariffs to deportations, people passionately disagreed with Trump and other government officials' actions. 'A lot of news has happened this week, whether it be Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whether it's Trump possibly being held in contempt of court, the FSU school shooting, there's a lot of people out here that are fired up and are ready for change and are not seeing that change happening right now,' Tracy said. NBC4 reached out to Gov. Mike DeWine's office, but they were not able to offer comment on the protests. Tracy said the next National Day of Action will focus on education and take place on May 1 from 4:30-7 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Attorney says policies restricting LifeWise, like those in Columbus schools, could violate First Amendment
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – LifeWise Academy's attorneys are challenging religious release time policy recommendations, warning they could lead to lawsuits for school districts like Columbus City Schools. First Liberty Institute is representing biblical education provider LifeWise in its fight against Neola, the North East Ohio Learning Associates. Neola, an educational policy consultant group, received a letter Wednesday from First Liberty that alleged its sample religious release time policies violate the First Amendment. The letter warned school districts that implement Neola's policies could face litigation. Is 3rd time a charm? Marysville schools puts levy on ballot 'What Neola is doing, and other school districts seem to want to do, is throwing a bunch of tacks in the road for parents to be able to access released time education, and that they cannot do,' Jeremy Dys, First Liberty's senior counsel, said. Neola provides sample policies and advice to more than 500 Ohio schools, including many in central Ohio. Senior adviser Patrick Corbett said Neola did not require any districts to implement any policy. He said Neola simply offers a variety of suggestions and told clients to be prepared to defend their choices if they choose a more involved RTRI policy. Neola has offered guidance on religious release, or short-term absences for religious instruction during the school day, since 2016, but the need for policy guidance recently intensified in Ohio. As of April 9, all public schools are required to implement policies permitting religious release time instruction. Ohio law requires districts to collaborate with providers to schedule release time, but otherwise leaves district policy obligations fairly open-ended. The law allows districts to require background checks for instructors and volunteers and says boards of education shall determine how those checks are conducted. 'Corporate greed': Moreno sends scathing letter to CEOs over Chillicothe paper mill closure Dys said there is nothing in Ohio law permitting school districts to take liberties with their policies. However, there is also nothing prohibiting them from doing so. 'Whether it is materials being sent home through release time education or other levels of bureaucracy that are not mandated under this statute, school districts are taking an inch of authority and turn it into a mile of power to prevent release time education from going forward at all,' Dys said. LifeWise voiced concerns with three facets of Neola's sample policy, which have already been implemented in districts like Columbus, Upper Arlington and Worthington schools. In turn, Neola alleged LifeWise's legal challenge failed to meet legal requirements. 'My sense from the latest volley of correspondences is that providers want to tell districts what to do, which is not collaboration,' Corbett said. LifeWise alleges policies that ban groups from distributing trinkets, candy or other materials violate the First Amendment by not extending the same restrictions to other groups. Corbett said Neola did not force any schools to implement that restriction but said districts have a right to set policies. New tenants coming soon to Easton, including Princess Polly, burger restaurant On April 10, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost acknowledged districts have freedom to dictate their policies but cautioned against inhibiting any religious group's operations. Yost said banning distribution of materials prevents programs from sending literature, lesson books or Bibles home with students, which could violate the First Amendment if these restrictions are not mirrored for secular organizations. 'We did not suggest — and I don't believe districts are — imposing any restrictions on what organizations do within the confines of their programs off campus,' Corbett said. Critics of LifeWise have claimed sending candy or toys back with students can be distracting and makes nonparticipating kids feel left out. Dys placed the responsibility to limit distractions back on teachers. 'This would be second nature to teachers and administrators across the state of Ohio,' Dys said. 'They don't need to resort to censoring otherwise protected First Amendment activity, and that's precisely what Neola has recommended that school districts do.' Ohio's biggest school district, Neola client Columbus City Schools, implemented a policy banning these handouts in March. At the time, LifeWise CEO and Founder Joel Penton said the requirements would not change parents' reasons for sending students to LifeWise. Ohio has few laws dictating what religious organizations can and cannot do. Generally, case law says districts cannot make rules that only apply to religious expression. Under those interpretations, districts could only make rules for groups if they also apply to other groups that take students out of the school day with parent permission. Ohio calls out weight-loss drug false advertising LifeWise also voiced concerns about Neola's background check policies, which said a district could refuse to release students to an organization that does not complete a 'satisfactory' background check. Dys said the word 'satisfactory' is too subjective and could allow districts to use the term to stop RTRI participation entirely. Corbett said they included those provisions because the law specifically allowed them to require background checks. He said they based the language off what Neola uses for its employees. LifeWise proposed replacement policies requiring annual confirmation that it has completed criminal background checks and no workers have criminal convictions that would result in a teacher losing their license. LifeWise already completes background checks for all of its volunteers and instructors. However, parents voiced concerns about these background checks last July when NBC4 revealed a LifeWise director had been fired from an Ohio school and surrendered her license after allegedly sexting a minor student. Ohio law prohibits students from leaving during a core curriculum subject course, but districts have some freedom to determine what qualifies. One Neola policy suggestion reads, 'The Board deems all graded courses to be core curriculum.' This could leave lunch or recess in theory, but Dys said it could also be used to stop organizations from operating altogether. Chocolate lovers may see sticker shock due to Trump's tariff tactics Dys said districts with policies like these on the books should consider the letter to Neola as a 'warning.' 'They have an opportunity to correct that behavior and open up into the avenues to release time education that the legislature clearly mandated,' Dys said. 'If they choose to do otherwise, then that liability remains.' First Liberty requested a response from Neola within 30 days, including a list of all districts that have adopted Neola's policy or received advice from Neola on their policies. Corbett said he did not think such a list existed. NBC4 reached out to LifeWise, Worthington schools and Columbus for comment but did not receive responses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
LifeWise Academy shares biblical instruction in Amarillo, across US 'during school hours'
Twice a week, some South Georgia Elementary School students walk with an adult for less than four minutes across Amarillo's Susan Drive to South Georgia Church of the Nazarene. A little more than nine miles to the northeast, students at Forest Hill Elementary stroll an even shorter distance weekly across North Grand Street to No Boundaries International, the home of a Christian ministry. The young boys and girls are taking a break to learn from a book that can't be taught in their schools: the Bible. The free opportunity is offered by LifeWise Academy, which started in Ohio in 2019 and is taking root across the country. Leaders of the organization emphasize three key words: 'During school hours.' The removal of prayer and religious teaching from U.S. schools starting in the 1960s is well known, and many Christians blame it for the resulting philosophical relativism, lack of moral clarity and societal troubles. Courts have for the most part upheld the legal banishment of religion from public schools, but LifeWise has taken hold of a 73-year-old Supreme Court ruling to start a return to Judeo-Christian principles. A LifeWise news release explains: 'Released time religious instruction is a concept outlined by the 1952 U.S. Supreme Court Decision Zorach v. Clauson, which determined the practice was constitutional and therefore legal in all 50 states.' So Joel Penton, now the LifeWise CEO, teamed with parents and educators in Ohio 'to bring God back into public schools' – or at least to a growing number of public school children. According to the Ohio Capital Journal, about 50,000 students in 591 schools in 29 states were taking advantage of voluntary LifeWise classes by the beginning of 2025. Instruction at Forest Hill and South Georgia started in mid-January, and Ashlynn Howell, assistant area program director in Amarillo, said in March that 41 students were enrolled at the two schools. 'We do offer continuous enrollment, allowing any student to join our program at any point in the school year,' she said. 'And they continue to do so.' Howell said the local program has plans to expand into two more elementary schools in August, so more teachers, volunteers and financial support are needed. Teachers are paid for instruction time and preparation time. More information is available at In a Fox News interview with Pete Hegseth – now the U.S. secretary of defense – Penton said LifeWise is 'a plug-and-play program that any community across the country can implement. It often involves as much as 50% of the entire school.' In Columbus, Ohio, where Penton lives, the program operates in areas with high crime rates. 'We're in the most remote and rural communities and in the most affluent suburbs,' he said. For a community to be approved for LifeWise, 'It must be a grassroots effort,' Penton said. Fifty signatures are required before a steering committee is formed. 'Before long, there could be a Bible education program during school hours in every community across the nation,' he said. In Amarillo, Randy Meredith is the area program director, Howell is the assistant area program director, and the leadership board consists of Al Guardino, Mary Dodson, Mike Holloway, Stan Stout and Scott Willis. Although Amarillo's LifeWise has started with elementary students, the nationwide curriculum is designed for the first through 12th grades. Penton said the 1952 Supreme Court verdict determined that public school students can be released from school for religious instruction if the program is off school property, privately funded and students have parental permission. 'It cannot infringe upon core classes,' he said. 'So it can't take the place of English or math or something like that. We work with the schools, usually during part of their specials rotation – things like art, music, gym class; it's built into that rotation. So maybe kids are opting out of an ungraded library time or maybe they're coming during a lunch and recess time.' In Amarillo, the classes – which includes games as well as instruction – are taught during lunch, and the students eat while listening and participating. The Amarillo program 'is designed to provide students with tools for success both inside and outside the classroom, emphasizing values like respect, integrity, responsibility and compassion – all rooted in biblical principles,' says an information sheet. And its done during the children's formative years. Penton pointed out that a 2024 national poll showed 78% of parents support moral and character education in the public schools and 67% of parents support teaching biblical values to students. 'It's possible with LifeWise Academy,' he said. Overall attendance goes up and suspensions of students go down with LifeWise, according to a study cited on the program's website, LifeWise leaders stress that lessons promote traditional, orthodox Christianity and don't get into denominational quarrels. The website states, 'The work of LifeWise Academy to reach public school students with the gospel is celebrated and supported by Christians from diverse theological backgrounds. We seek to avoid discussions about denominational differences in the classroom while keeping the focus on what's clearest in Scripture.' Addressing concerns that Bible instruction might not leave time for elective classes such as music, physical education and art, LifeWise responds, 'Many parents hold Bible education in the same high regard as other subjects. For those who can't afford the cost of private religious school tuition or who value the public education their students receive, LifeWise offers a wonderful option that brings religious instruction right into their child's school day.' Leaders summarize the program's beliefs: 'LifeWise Academy maintains a high view of the authority of Scripture, and we align ourselves with historic, orthodox Christian beliefs. We believe the storyline of Scripture that climaxes in the central gospel message, that Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead.' The website highlights several parents and students in promotional videos: A woman says, 'There are people in our back yard who have never heard the name of Jesus.' A man says, 'Kids need to be affirmed, they need sports, but more than anything, they need the gospel. The law allows us to do it, so why not do it?' And a young boy sees the value of passing the message on: 'I really want LifeWise to go on until my kids get to do it, and then my kids' kids.' He understands Psalm 78:2-4 (New Living Translation): 'I will teach you hidden lessons from our past – stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.' Mike Haynes taught journalism at Amarillo College from 1991 to 2016 and has written for the Faith section since 1997. He can be reached at. Go to for other recent columns. This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: LifeWise Academy shares biblical instruction 'during school hours'
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
LifeWise Academy reports it has surpassed its growth goals for the school year
HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) — LifeWise Academy has surpassed its goals for the 2024 school year, and it has no intention of slowing down. According to the Impact Report released this month, LifeWise is working with more than 600 schools this school year, offering biblical education to over 40,000 students. The Hilliard-based organization offers Christian instruction during the school day to public students with parental permission under religious release time policies. See previous reporting on LifeWise in the video player above. 'We're proud of LifeWise staff, volunteers and supporters for the remarkable success we've had in making Bible-based character education accessible to thousands of kids across the country,' LifeWise CEO and founder Joel Penton said. 'Given Name Act' would restict names, pronouns in schools LifeWise entered the 2024 school year hoping to reach 425 schools, so Penton and Vice President of Advancement Derek Stemen were excited to announce the 600 milestone. The pair hosted a state of the ministry webinar in February where they unveiled LifeWise's 2025 theme: Coast to Coast. LifeWise celebrated other milestones too, including the release of its documentary, 'Off School Property: Solving the Separation of Church and State.' According to LifeWise, the documentary follows the 'historic removal of the Bible from public education' and calls audiences to help reinstate religion in secular government. The film was viewed by a member of the Secular Education Association, which was still named Parents Against LifeWise when member Sarah Paulett attended a screening in Ohio. She said the film was 'ethnocentric, racist and factually inaccurate' in its portrayal of American history. LifeWise and the Secular Education Association interacted many times in 2024, including through a copyright lawsuit after the group's founder published curricula online. Despite community pushback, LifeWise was still able to expand from 340 schools in 15 states in 2023 to its end of 2024 numbers. Not just DEI: Seven things to know about Ohio's sweeping higher ed bill As part of its key initiatives, LifeWise applauded legislation across three states, including Ohio, that passed laws ensuring public schools implement religious release policies. Ohio's new law mandating religious release policies goes into effect April 9. 'We're also thankful to the families and schools who have brought LifeWise to their communities,' Penton said. 'They have consistently told us that Bible education has made a tremendous difference in their children's lives, including improving their behavior and their academic performance.' Financially the group also had a successful year, doubling its revenue in 2024. According to the Impact Report, LifeWise spent just over $18 million last year, one-third to its 'vision fund' and two-thirds to 'program funds.' LifeWise said vision expenses cover growth costs, like marketing, growth initiatives and staff in proactive roles. Program funds cover current operations, including pay for local chapter staff, transportation from public schools and supplies. LifeWise's financial report for fiscal year 2024 shows five employees make more than $100,000 per year. Four of them are listed as part of the organization's eight-person leadership team: NAME TITLE SALARY Joel Penton* CEO/President $111,824 Steve Clifton* COO/CFO/Secretary/Vice President $183,532 Derek Stemen* Vice President of Advancement $113,381 Jeffrey Peterson* Vice President of Operations $101,800 Kurt Snedecor Director of Strategic Partnerships $100,500 The remaining leadership are Sara Spath (Vice President of Program Health), Nate Lundquist (Vice President of Creative), Emily Warner (Vice President of IT) and Jesse Vohwinkel (Vice President of Growth). Ohio group asks U.S. Supreme Court to allow student opt outs for LGBT+ lessons The report also celebrated LifeWise's new headquarters, where construction is nearing completion. LifeWise unveiled the headquarters' floor plan earlier this year, which includes a number of rooms and workspaces. According to site plans, the building has six primary spaces: Reception offices for visitors and program leaders arriving for training sessions Tressel Coaching Hall, named for Penton's former football coach at Ohio State, Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, will be an event space large enough for 300 people Smaller workspaces, including conference rooms and a coworking space for casual use Executive offices A multimedia studio to film movies and media appearances A patio for outdoor use The LifeWise Skestos Center is asking for large sponsorships for portions of the building, offered as 'giving opportunities.' These include $250,000 for a prayer room and $10,000 per event patio picnic table. Personalized patio bricks are also for sale, ranging from $250 to $1,000. Although LifeWise surpassed its 2024 goals, the organization said it has no intention of slowing down. LifeWise said it hopes to be in 10% of U.S. schools by 2030 and more than 90% within the next 35 years. 'We look forward to advancing our mission to make Bible-based character education available to every child,' Penton said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
