Memphis Students Take a Different Journey with Lifewise Academy
In the heart of Memphis, a unique initiative is sparking joy and hope among students. It’s called Lifewise Academy, and it’s making waves by offering children something beyond the usual classroom lessons—structured Bible study and character education. This program transports kids from their schools to a church on a red bus, where they dive into lessons that aim to shape their values and character.
A New Route for Learning
Every week, students at Riverwood Elementary eagerly hop onto the vibrant red bus that whisks them away to Grace Celebration Lutheran Church. The atmosphere is filled with excitement, as the children sing familiar hymns like “Yes Jesus loves me. The Bible tells me so” during the ride. Once they arrive, they engage in a 50-minute lesson that emphasizes not only Biblical teachings but also crucial character traits such as integrity, trust, and obedience.
“Everything is special about Jesus because he made us. He loves us. Jacob listen. He protects us,” one enthusiastic teacher explains, encouraging the kids to embrace these uplifting messages.
Shared Goals
The vision behind Lifewise Academy is clear. As James Brodnax, the Executive Director of Lifewise Shelby County, puts it, “What we are seeing is lives being changed.” This initiative is allowed under a 1952 Supreme Court ruling which states that students may be released from school during the day for religious instruction—provided parents give the go-ahead, it happens off school grounds, and it is funded privately.
This back-to-basics approach is a promising effort to fill what Brodnax sees as a significant gap in nurturing the spiritual growth of children. “To me this is the greatest missed opportunity that we have had as a church to pass the gospel on to the next generation,” he says.
Community Involvement is Key
Churches like Grace Church have quickly jumped at the chance to support this valuable program. Rev. Terry Tieman, the church’s Senior Pastor, says, “A lot of churches and schools don’t know about it. When we learned this was part of the law and we had this opportunity, we jumped right on it.” The church even received a donated bus, which has been transformed to accommodate the Lifewise Academy activities.
Excitement builds in the hearts of kids as they see the red bus approach, and church leaders are hopeful about the impact they can make. Tieman believes, “We think we have an opportunity to change the culture of Memphis, change the characters of families and children.”
Positive Changes Observed
So far, Lifewise Academy has been successful in creating a nurturing environment that appears to be making a difference in the kids’ lives. According to Mary Wasson, Lifewise Regional Program Director, “When kids are coming into this program, we are having less anxiety in their lives, less depression, less thoughts of suicide because they are beginning to realize they have a purpose in life.” Additionally, they have observed a drop in suspension rates and an increase in attention during classes.
Encouragement to Expand
Lifewise Academy is currently operating in seven schools in Shelby County, with plans to expand to nine more by Spring 2025. They are serving approximately 144 students, and the program aims to grow with each passing month. “This is no cost to the families, this is no cost to the schools,” assures Wasson. It’s all about getting parents’ permissions and finding supportive church partners to host the classes.
A Community on Fire for Change
The enthusiasm for Lifewise Academy is palpable, especially after recent events that brought differing viewpoints to the forefront. Following the introduction of a Satanic club within the school system, Lifewise’s leadership remains focused on their mission. Brodnax emphasizes, “We are trying to spread the gospel as much as we can.”
As the program continues to gain traction, students are not just learning but also receiving their very own Bibles to take home. “They can then become the evangelists in their families and their communities,” Brodnax states. With so much potential ahead, the excitement for what lies in the future for Lifewise Academy and the children of Memphis is truly contagious!
