About LifeWise
Lifewise Academy was founded in 2018 by Joel Penton, a former Ohio State football player turned minister, as an extension of his earlier ministry, Stand for Truth Inc. Founded in 2007, Stand for Truth’s mission is to bring the Christian gospel into public schools through “character-based” assemblies that subtly reference religion. These assemblies are often followed by invitations to after-school programs where the message becomes explicitly evangelical—sometimes even held in the same school facilities once the school day ends.
Penton also authored Stand Your Ground in 2010, a book marketed as a personal story of social isolation for standing firm in his faith during high school. However, this narrative conflicts with his background at Van Wert High School in Van Wert, Ohio—an area known for its strong religious conservatism and ongoing challenges to the separation of church and state. The inspiration for Lifewise Academy itself came from a Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) program that had already been operating in his hometown since 2012, raising further concerns about the expansion of religious instruction into public education.
Lifewise Academy presents itself as “non-denominational, character-based Bible education,” but in reality, it promotes Evangelical Christian doctrine through a curriculum produced by the Southern Baptist Convention’s publishing arm. The program encourages children to evangelize during the school day and operates using a “plug-and-play” model designed for rapid expansion—resembling a recruitment network more than a local education initiative. Despite its nonprofit status, Lifewise actively lobbies for access to public schools and political influence, blurring the line between church and state. The Secular Education Association stands firmly against programs like Lifewise, advocating to preserve the constitutional separation of religion and public education nationwide
Lifewise Academy promotes Evangelical Christian ideology—including purity culture, Christian nationalism, and anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs—through an RTRI program presented as “non-denominational character education” in public schools. Operating like a franchise, their mission targets “every unchurched child in America.” This page provides parent testimonials, internal documents, and curriculum materials to reveal the group’s true teachings and examine how their extremist approach is already disrupting education for thousands of children.
Our mission is to protect our children and preserve our public education system by connecting parents and communities across the nation to accurate and transparent information. We bring you factual information exposing Lifewise for the deceitful and dangerous thing that it is. We hold the power to say this is UNACCEPTABLE in our country.
A few of our group members recently uncovered that Lifewise Academy hired a teacher that was accused of sexting a student to be a program director for their organization. Not only was Renee Beck accused, she in fact had her state license revoked and was barred from ever getting it again. This didn’t stop Lifewise from hiring her, in fact they defended their position to hire her before deleting the comment. Renee also decided to frivolously threaten one of our members with legal action from Lifewise’s attorney.
Check on local Lifewise Employees with our Background Check section
While you are at it learn more about our cause and what we are doing!
Our interview with Glass City Humanist!
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