LifeWise Academy – Let’s Go!
I first learned about LifeWise Academy on Dr. Michael Easley’s Ask Dr. E podcast in August 2023 when founder Joel Penton was a guest. I was immediately interested and conversations started! Several members of our church leadership team also heard the episode, and now—by God’s grace—we’re on the ground floor of bringing LifeWise to our county and throughout our state, Georgia.
LifeWise Academy was inspired by a program launched in 2012 in Van Wert, Ohio, where an incredible 95% of local elementary students participated in Bible education during the school day. Joel Penton took that model and designed a replicable, scalable system that equips communities with “plug-and-play” tools to launch and sustain effective Bible education programs.
Yes, you read that right – during the school day, not after school!
How Is That Even Possible?
Back in 1952, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Zorach v. Clauson that Bible education during the public school day is constitutional and legal in all 50 states—as long as three conditions are met:
- The program is held off school property.
- The program is privately funded (no government funds).
- Parents give permission for their child to participate in the program.
This has been legally available for over 70 years, but most local churches have never even heard of it. I’d never heard of it! LifeWise wants to change that by offering a clear, replicable model for elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide—including right here in our community. Right now there are more than 1,000 LifeWise Academies in the United States and growth is exponential.
The biggest obstacle? Simply a lack of awareness.
That’s why we’ve scheduled two 30-minute interest meetings before Wednesday night family programming this fall to start spreading the word.
Growing Momentum in Georgia
LifeWise recently hired Paige Dees as State Director here in Georgia. She leads a LifeWise Academy program herself, partnering with the Atlanta Public Schools, and is an incredible resource. I’ve also connected with leaders in Bartow County (partnering with multiple churches), along with other children’s ministry leaders in Ohio. Right now:
- 13 school districts in Georgia have Steering Committees (including ours!)
- 85 districts have signed petitions
- 9 Georgia schools are confirmed with fall 2025 enrollment already at 568 students
That means 568 students will be engaged in Bible education every week during their school day in the state of Georgia. Amazing!
Since its first two programs launched in 2019, LifeWise has grown to more than 1,000 schools nationwide in 2025. Their “secret sauce”? Staying gospel-centered and pursuing excellence in every detail—because they know they represent the King.
Not only does LifeWise have a top-notch curriculum focused on Bible literacy, but they also have a proven plan to help churches launch successfully. Intentional. Clear. Doable. Ten incredible steps to launch.
Just imagine: 50 million public school students across the nation learning God’s Word during their school day.
An Open Door for the Church
Churches, family ministry leaders, children’s pastors—we can do this together!
Do you have parents in your community who work Sundays (medical, law enforcement, hospitality, retail)? → Get started here.
Do you have a school nearby, within walking distance? → Get started here.
Does your church not currently have children? You can still partner in countless ways! → Get started here.
Do you have a church bus that sits idle during the week? → Get started here.
Do you want to be part of a national movement of gospel impact? → Get started here.
Want to talk about it? Go here or reach out to me directly at dreilly@maclandcommunity.church.
Say “YES!” and get started here. We’ve been given an open door to fulfill the Great Commission. Why not? Now’s the time!
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
