In Alaska and across the country, fear, division and strife seem to rule the day. Christians, who hold the remedy to society’s ailments, often feel on the defensive and shut out of the cultural conversation. The life-giving Word of God is reaching fewer and fewer ears and eyes, especially among our next generation. The inverse correlation between the following facts is not surprising to Bible-believing Christians.

We’re seeing record lows in church attendance, biblical literacy and professions of faith, and all-time highs in depression, anxiety and suicide among youth.

In an effort to help turn this tide, Alaska Family Council is privileged to partner with LifeWise Academy to launch the first LifeWise Academy this fall at Clark Middle School in Anchorage’s Mountain View neighborhood. Mountain View is the most diverse neighborhood in the city, and one of the most diverse in the country.

We hope to expand this program statewide.

I hope you can join us this Tuesday for some inspiration we all need as the issue of public education continues to dominate the headlines.

LifeWise Academy operates through a Released Time Religious Instruction (RTRI) model, which is voluntary, off-campus and privately funded. Legally permitted by the U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Zorach v. Clauson, 1952), this model provides an innovative approach to reaching public school students with the Gospel. It has proven to build character, lower truancy and disciplinary issues and gain widespread support.

The program’s success lies in its scalable, community-driven model, which empowers local stakeholders to establish and sustain programs effectively. Here’s how the model works:

– Local Engagement: Communities form steering committees to generate interest, gather parental support, and take ownership of the program.

– School Collaboration: LifeWise works with schools to ensure the program is voluntary, off campus, and fully compliant with legal guidelines.

– Curriculum Delivery: Powered by The Gospel Project, a nationally recognized resource.

– Ongoing Support: LifeWise provides training, operational guidance and resources, including logistics management and marketing tools, to ensure long-term program success.

LifeWise’s model overcomes the traditional barriers of funding, logistics, and administration, enabling communities to launch impactful programs with confidence. Since their launch in 2019, LifeWise has rapidly grown to serve nearly 600 schools across 27 states, reaching more than 40,000 students weekly. This growth has only been possible by addressing the logistical and financial barriers that have historically limited Released Time Religious Instruction programs.

LifeWise measures outcomes annually through educator and parent surveys to assess impacts on students’ Biblical understanding, decision-making and behavior.

In 2024, 95% of parents noted growth in biblical understanding, 83% reported increased faith-based conversations at home, while 78% said LifeWise helps their child make better decisions.

Educators also report benefits, with 76% agreeing their school and students benefit from LifeWise, 62% observing a positive impact on decisions and relationships, 65% noting improvements in outlook and motivation and 56% seeing better behavior.

Additionally, a study by Thomas P. Miller & Associates measured the implications of LifeWise programming across multiple states. The comprehensive report highlights the program’s positive effects on student attendance and reduced suspensions in public schools.

Alaska Family Council is privileged to partner with LifeWise Academy to invite people to an exclusive screening on Tuesday, April 29 at 5:30 p.m. at Mountain City Church in Anchorage of “Off School Property – Solving the Separation of Church and State.”

Less than an hour in length, the film will be followed with a Q&A session. This documentary exposes the historical removal of the Bible from public education, which amounted to a societal shift that altered the course of American society.

“Off School Property” explores a balanced approach to religious instruction that respects constitutional boundaries, while offering transformative benefits to students, schools, and communities – and the hope our nation and state desperately needs.

Come find out about how we can stand by our public schools, without any expense, to turn the tide. I hope you can join us this Tuesday for some inspiration we all need as the issue of public education continues to dominate the headlines.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

Click here to support the Alaska Watchman.