Kalona

While enjoying a cup of coffee on a rainy afternoon, LifeWise Mid-Prairie Director Jacob Schaver shared how the program came to the area and what families can expect this fall.

LifeWise Academy is a Bible-based educational program that partners with public schools across the country through Released Time Religious Instruction, allowing students to receive faith-based instruction during the school day with parental permission.

The organization was founded in 2019 by former Ohio State defensive lineman and motivational speaker Joel Penton in Hilliard, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. Since then, LifeWise has expanded into numerous states and continues to grow rapidly, adding 33 Iowa school districts over the past year.

LifeWise Mid-Prairie will hold classes at Kalona Mennonite Church in Kalona. Although the organization serves students in the Mid-Prairie Community School District, it operates independently and is not affiliated with the school district.

The local organization is governed by a five-member board consisting of Don Patterson, Taylor Weber, Keith Hostetler, Kari Statler and former Mid-Prairie Superintendent Mark Schneider.

Local roots

Schaver grew up in Wellman and attended Mid-Prairie before transferring to Hillcrest Academy, where he graduated.

He first learned about LifeWise in November 2024 through a board member involved with the Iowa City program. After meeting over coffee to learn more about the organization, Schaver decided he wanted to become involved.

"That's when I added my name to the community interest list and also volunteered to serve on the steering committee to help get the program off the ground."

Over the following year, Schaver attended Mid-Prairie School Board meetings to introduce the program and answer questions from district officials.

"After meeting again with Mr. Brian Stone and presenting to the school board, we moved into the next phase of the process, hiring a program director. I applied for the position and was hired as the program director in April of this year."

Following his hiring, Schaver traveled to Hilliard, Ohio, for a two-day training program.

"The training covered everything from the day-to-day details of running the program to the steps needed to launch it. There was a lot to learn in a short amount of time to be ready for this fall, but it was a great experience. I learned a lot and felt the program's leadership was excellent."

Schaver said his own upbringing has influenced his desire to lead the program.

"I grew up in a broken home and didn't have a relationship with Jesus during my childhood. Looking back, I truly believe that if I had known Him then, I would have made different choices and had a much different perspective on life."

He said that experience is one reason he is passionate about bringing LifeWise to Mid-Prairie.

"That's one of the reasons I'm so excited to start this program. It gives us the opportunity to share the gospel with public school students, especially those who don't attend church with their families."

Director's role

As program director, Schaver oversees nearly every aspect of the local organization, including recruiting board members, hiring teachers and volunteers, supervising the program, communicating with parents and addressing concerns.

If a parent has a complaint, Schaver said he works with the board to resolve the issue.

The position is part-time at approximately 20 hours per week. Outside of LifeWise, Schaver also works in personal finance. Before accepting the director position, he served on staff at Lifechurch in Coralville.

Launching LifeWise Academy

The effort to bring LifeWise to Mid-Prairie began in January 2024, when organizers collected the first signatures of community members interested in starting the program.

Schaver said every new LifeWise program follows a 10-step launch process.

"The process of bringing this program to the Mid-Prairie Community School District began about two years ago. Each new program follows a 10-step launch process, with the first step being the collection of 50 signatures from people interested in bringing the program to the community. That effort began in January 2024."

Curriculum

  LifeWise uses The Gospel Project curriculum, a licensed Bible study program designed to guide students through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation over four to five years.

Lessons are adapted to fit into 20- to 40-minute class periods.

"We partner with the Gospel Project and use its curriculum. We've purchased a license and adapted the lessons to fit into a 20- to 40-minute session, depending on how much time we have with the students."

Class schedule

Schaver said the program is expected to begin with students in kindergarten through fourth grade before eventually expanding into middle and high school over the next several years.

Based on the current planning, classes will likely be held on either Tuesdays or Thursdays during the lunch-and-recess period or during special rotations. Organizers hope to use the lunch period so students do not miss specialty classes.

"Based on the initial class schedule, it appears that both the special rotation and the lunch-and-recess period are about 40 minutes long. The goal is to keep the program within that 40-minute window, including transporting students to and from the program."

"The program can meet during either the lunch-and-recess period or a special rotation. However, the goal is to schedule it during lunch and recess so students don't miss their special classes."

Kalona Mennonite Church will serve as the host site for East Elementary students while organizers continue determining the final schedule.

"We're working with our host site to determine the best schedule. Kalona Mennonite will host East Elementary students, and we're currently deciding whether the program will be held on Tuesdays or Thursdays."

Classes will not begin immediately when the school year starts, as organizers plan to wait a few weeks before launching the program.

Working with the district

Although state and federal law allow Released Time Religious Instruction programs to operate independently of school districts, Schaver said LifeWise has worked to build a positive relationship with Mid-Prairie administrators and board members throughout the planning process.

"Both state and federal law allow programs like ours to operate off school property as long as they are privately funded and students participate with parental permission. While we don't need the school board's approval to operate, we wanted to work with the district and build a positive relationship."

Addressing concerns

Schaver acknowledged that not everyone supports the program but emphasized that participation is completely voluntary.

"I understand that some people may have concerns about whether this is a good idea," he said. "But the great thing about our program is that participation is entirely up to parents. If they're unsure whether it's right for their children, they don't have to enroll them."

Teachers and volunteers

LifeWise plans to recruit both teachers and volunteers before classes begin.

Schaver said every class is required to have one teacher and two volunteers, regardless of how many students attend.

"For safety reasons, every class must have one teacher and two volunteers, regardless of attendance. Even if only one student is present, those staffing requirements remain in place."

While the program currently has one volunteer, organizers plan to recruit additional volunteers and teachers in the coming months.

Finding out more

Schaver encouraged community members to learn more about LifeWise and Released Time Religious Instruction before forming an opinion about the program.

"We encourage people to learn more about LifeWise and the concept of Released Time Religious Instruction to see for themselves how it has benefited families, schools and kids."