LifeWise Academy is an off-site Bible education program to public school students that takes place during the school day.
With an original goal of 25 sites in the first five years after its 2019 launch, LifeWise Academy is already offered to 330 schools in 14 states and confirmed to serve over 450 schools in 19 states by the fall of this year.
LifeWise Academy founder Joel Penton said, “The goal is to make Bible education available to every one of the 50 million public school students nationwide, and in doing so introduce them to the Gospel, which will change their lives forever.”
In 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled released-time religious instruction is legal during the public-school day as long as it is held off-site from school grounds, is not supported by public funds and requires parental permission for enrollment.
LifeWise provides churches opportunities to present Christ to elementary-through-high-school students who might not attend church, to teach character education and to present the local church within the community, even building positive relationships with local schools.
Penton, a nondenominational Christian who homeschools his children, designed LifeWise to work across Gospel denominational lines, and offers an adaptable 10-step program to launch LifeWise chapters.