May 2024 | 7
“We want to see the hearts and minds of students change,” Hubbard said. “We want to see their character change, because we believe that’s what’s going to real- ly transform the community and then in turn enable the church to continue to do what it does in the community.” Ebenezer is able to support LifeWise through its cooper - ative design, Hubbard said, encouraging churches to join with others in establishing and supporting local chapters. Penton, a nondenominational Christian who homes- chools his children, designed LifeWise to work across gospel denominational lines, and offers an adaptable 10- step program to launch LifeWise chapters. While each local chapter manages the logistical work, has a leadership board, and raises its funds for the pro- gram, LifeWise accepts certain responsibilities for the program, carrying and paying for liability insurance for all local programs, Penton said. Penton had been active in evangelical outreaches to pub- lic school students, but after school hours, for a decade before launching LifeWise. He launched the program in 2019 after school administrators in his hometown of Van Wert asked for his help with their released-time religion instruction program. “Now I didn’t even know what that was; I’d never heard of that. And they explained to me” what it was, he said. “They had 95 percent of the entire school enrolled in the program. Their question was, ‘How could we get this to
grow? Could this expand across the country because al- most no one’s even heard of this. “I said I think you need to put this in a box, make it a plug-and-play program that any community can imple- ment. Their response was, basically, ‘That’s a great idea. We don’t want to do that, but we think you should do that.’ And I said OK.” He encourages all gospel churches to embrace the pro- gram. “Can you think of anything more important than reach- ing our next generation with the word of God?” Penton asked.
Leading Well from the Second Chair Workshop SCBO will be hosting “Leading Well from the Second Chair” on Thursday, August 1. Luke Francis, executive
looking to explore or cultivate your distinct second chair leadership toolbox, this one day workshop is for you.
pastor, First Light Church, Vandalia is leading this one day workshop for executive pastors, associate pastors, and other key leaders who handle the implementation and integration of their church’s mission and vision. The workshop features discussion, reflection, and action as leaders gain a clarified understanding of the unique calling of a second chair leader as well as a robust framework for leading within the leadership landscape of their local church and team, and encouragement from other like-minded and gifted ministry leaders. If you’re
Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5