Lifewise Academy uses a 10 step process to take volunteers through the process of starting a local Lifewise Academy Program. I will attempt to explain each step and give some clarity to why the step exists.

Step 1 - Collect 50 Signatures

Step 1 involves collecting signatures on the lifewise.org website. Lifewise says that anyone who lives, works, worships, has children who attend school, grandchildren who attend school, or anyone with a general interest in the area can sign the list. This list has no legal significance whatsoever. It is not required that Lifewise complete this step. This is a list that Lifewise will use to contact potential local volunteers, donors, teachers, directors, board members, and others. Here is a video of Joel Penton, the CEO, stating that the interest lists don't mean anything and anyone with a heartbeat can sign them.

Step 2 - Watch a Kickoff Meeting

When a program reaches the 50-signature mark, Lifewise will send an email to everyone who signed the list to watch a "Kickoff Meeting."  A local individual now leads the meeting and takes place at a local location like a church or community space. The local meeting is a mix of videos, a local presentation, and a live representative from Lifewise via Zoom. Normally, several communities will be having their kickoff meetings on the same night and will all participate in the same Zoom call.

The kickoff meeting is used to explain the next few steps of Lifewise and to start the fundraising process. Local programs need to raise $500 to demonstrate real interest and the ability to raise funds. Each community needs to form a steering committee comprising 3-9 people from at least three different churches. There are sign up sheets and info passed out at the kickoff meeting to try to create the steering committee.

Step 3 - Raise $500

Step 3 is raising $500 to show that the local interest is real and that people can fund the program. Programs usually raise this money at the kickoff meeting or shortly after.

Step 4 - Form a Steering Committee

Forming a steering committee is required to complete the next steps. The steering committee should consist of 3-9 people from at least three different churches. Lifewise is very strict on the church requirement. Lifewise does not want one church holding them accountable. They also want the program to have the appearance of representing the local church community. Lifewise Academy controls the churches that are allowed to help and participate in Lifewise. Any church with women pastors or that is inclusive to LGBTQ people will not be accepted into Lifewise. Lifewise believes that only one type of church can exist and is the true version of Christianity. This video of corporate Lifewise employee Buddy Workman and other Lifewise trainers explains that Lifewise teaches creationism, that marriage is only between a man and a woman, and god created men and women and doesn't make mistakes. Do not let Lifewise representatives say they do not teach these things; they do.

Step 5 - Draft a Plan

The steering committee will create a plan for how Lifewise will operate locally. A location or locations to hold Lifewise classes will be determined. Typically, a church is used, but other places are also utilized. If the location is next to a school, then students will normally walk from the school to Lifewise. If it is not within walking distance, then transportation with vans or a bus will need to be part of the plan. The hours the location is available may be a part of the plan. These logistics will be put into a presentation that is given to the school.

Step 6 - Obtain School Approval

The plan created in step 5 is officially presented to the school district. This is normally done at a school board meeting, but many times a private meeting is set up with the superintendent. There are numerous reports of superintendents approving Lifewise with no involvement from the school board or the community. The argument that this is solely the decision of the parents who want Lifewise, and those not attending can choose not to, is invalid and has been proven wrong over and over. Students who do not attend have their classroom time interrupted if Lifewise occurs during instructional periods, such as art, gym, music, library, STEM, etc. Students return from Lifewise being instructed to recruit classmates who do not attend. This is documented in internal Lifewise procedures, curriculum, and real-world evidence. Everyone is impacted by Lifewise, even if you choose not to attend.

The school district will need to coordinate when students can leave. The district may need to create a policy if one does not exist. This is the time to get involved and make your voice heard. Speak at the school board meetings, let everyone know that Lifewise is a fundamentalist Christian organization whose sole purpose is to disrupt public schools and enforce Christian Nationalist ideals onto every person, regardless of their current religious views.

Lifewise will request an "approval" letter from the school district on school letterhead. This letter is public record and can be requested by anyone. If you want to know what the school district approved, ask for the plan and the approval letter. The alarming part is that the plan will not include periods or times the students will miss school. The school agrees to work with Lifewise, having no idea when students will miss school. Then, when parents question or ask why students are missing classes, the school will say it's the parents' choice and they are not responsible for who misses what classes. 

Step 7 - Recruit Your Team

This is the step where a local director, teachers, and board members are hired or recruited. Only the director, teachers, and bus drivers are paid employees. Everyone else is a volunteer. The steering committee is done at this point, and the local board of directors will handle the process. The board is often made up of the same members as the steering committee, but not always. There are usually 5-9 board members. Each board member will help with a specific area. Leadership, logistics, location, loot (fundraising), and language. These are volunteer positions.

Step 8 - Train Your Team

Staff will undergo training and be instructed on the specific areas they will be handling. Anyone working with children will undergo a background check and complete child safety training. Some positions will receive in-person training, like directors and teachers. Other volunteers may only receive virtual training or training from the locally trained staff. 

Step 9 - Execute The Plan

The staff and volunteers will implement the plan and work towards the scheduled launch date. Preparing the facility, finalizing transportation arrangements, training volunteers, and other tasks. This is typically when the program begins enrolling students.

Step 10 - Launch

The program is now live and operating, with children in attendance.