GROVE CITY, Ohio – On a brisk Wednesday evening, approximately 20 parents and children gathered outside a Grove City church, their voices united in protest against LifeWise Academy, a non-profit organization known for its Bible-based education curriculum. Amid chants of “Keep Church and State Separate” and “Our Public Schools are not Mission Fields,” demonstrators held signs expressing their concerns.
The catalyst for the protest was LifeWise Academy’s prominent event, drawing some 800 directors and staff members from across the nation to Grove City. Among the protesters was Zachary Parrish, a father from Fort Wayne, Indiana, who drove three hours with his daughter to voice his discontent.
Parrish recounted his initial encounter with LifeWise when his daughter was a second-grader attending Defiance schools. “The school had listed LifeWise as a special class, alongside music, and designated Wednesdays for it,” Parrish said, questioning the program’s optional status. “When I asked what my daughter would be doing instead, they said she’d be in study hall reading by herself. That’s just not right. Your program is costing my child’s education.”
In addition to educational concerns, Parrish highlighted social challenges his daughter faced. “She’s been told she’s going to Hell for years,” he lamented, underscoring broader issues faced by students involved in the program.
Alan Limke, a former STEM teacher, echoed Parrish’s sentiment, emphasizing the impact on classroom dynamics. “Students missing classes for LifeWise disrupts educational continuity,” he observed.
While acknowledging the positive aspects of LifeWise, such as character education, Limke expressed reservations about potential indoctrination. “If it was just about character education, I’m fine with that,” he said, emphasizing the need for inclusivity and accountability in educational practices.
LifeWise Academy, founded by Joel Penton, describes its mission as promoting Bible-based character education in public schools. Despite criticism, Penton remains steadfast in his beliefs. “We respect others’ rights to express their beliefs,” he stated in response to the protests, highlighting the program’s growth and impact.
Penton noted LifeWise’s expansion from two schools in 2019 to over 350 across 26 states, with plans for further growth. He emphasized the program’s optional nature and invited scrutiny into its benefits.
The controversy has extended beyond protests, with legal action taken against Parrish for unauthorized dissemination of LifeWise’s curriculum. The organization has since made its materials available by request.
As the debate continues, the clash between educational freedom and separation of church and state underscores broader societal divisions over the role of religion in public education.