TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
LESSONS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM BY STACIE DENNARD
F or the first time in decades, research is highlighting a surprising trend. Young people are asking big questions and looking for answers in religion. Newsweek recently posed the question, “Are Gen Zers Becoming More Religious?” and shared that nearly half of young adults in England and Wales now say they believe in God or a higher power. This marks a striking shift from years of declining belief across Western societies. Data from the U.S. shows a similar pattern, with more young adults engaging with the Bible and committing to Christianity. For many, it feels like faith is finding its place again. That momentum is showing up close to home. In March 2025, a new program was introduced in Red Lick ISD that proved so successful it will be piloted in Texarkana ISD as well. If interest continues to grow, six additional Bowie County districts are expected to follow. The program is called LifeWise Academy. Its mission is simple and powerful: partner alongside communities, schools, and churches, to teach children about God and the Bible while helping them develop positive character values. Your gut instinct might be to question the legality of such a program. This locally led ministry provides off-campus release time for religious instruction during school hours. And according to the 1952 Supreme Court decision Zorach v. Clauson , teaching the Bible during the public-school day is constitutional and therefore legal in all 50 states if the program is off school property, privately funded, and parent permitted. LifeWise Academy meets all three of these requirements. Even Governor Abbott supports the effort. This summer, he signed
into law SB 1049, authorizing “public school students to be excused during school hours… to attend off-campus religious instruction, with written consent from a parent or legal guardian” (First Liberty Institute, May 30, 2025). When the program was first piloted in Red Lick ISD, 55 third and fourth graders rode a bus once a week to a local church just minutes away. During their forty-minute session, students learned about the Bible and character education through a biblical lens. Parents who enrolled their children in the voluntary program were so encouraged by the experience that LifeWise Red Lick anticipates that the majority of students will participate this school year. LifeWise Academy plans to launch a program serving Texarkana ISD in the future, with voluntary enrollment available for third graders at Westlawn, Waggoner Creek, and Morriss Elementary Schools, as well as second graders at Theron Jones Elementary. LifeWise does not just serve Texarkana. The nonprofit organization was founded in 2018 and first launched in Ohio. Today, LifeWise serves more than 500 schools in 27 states. Joe Shehan, North Texas State Director, describes LifeWise as, “unapologetically, unabashedly, unswervingly Bible centered.” The organization makes it clear that it is not tied to any specific denomination or
political group. LifeWise focuses on the main and plain teachings of the Bible, foundational beliefs shared by various Christian denominations. LifeWise prioritizes transparency, with parents able to learn more about lessons and access the full curriculum at lifewise.org/for-parents . LifeWise Texarkana is led by local volunteers who care deeply for children and represent a variety of churches and denominations in the community. Volunteer Program Director Veronica Oubre hopes students will share what they learn with their parents and their local church, envisioning a community united in protecting, educating, and caring for all children. LifeWise Academy is free for any student who wants to learn about God, the Bible, and biblical character values. Local residents interested in supporting biblical education in public schools are encouraged to pray and consider how they might get involved. Community members are visiting area churches to gather donations, and one anonymous Texarkana resident has generously pledged to match a $25,000 grant. LifeWise also welcomes volunteers, including teachers, bus drivers, and classroom helpers. Parents can learn more by visiting lifewise.org , where they will also find details about volunteering and giving. As Jesus reminded His disciples in the book of Matthew, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore, pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” LifeWise Academy invites you to take part in this work through prayer, service, or support, helping plant seeds that will impact generations to come.
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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