Hilliard-based Bible education group LifeWise is defending its background check process after three former volunteers or staff members in Ohio have been accused of unrelated sex crimes in recent months.
In a statement, LifeWise, which teaches the Bible to public school students during the school day, confirmed that all three were former staff or volunteers, and that all three had passed the background check process. None of the incidents involved students from LifeWise.
“Any situation involving crimes against minors is deeply disturbing, and the safety and well-being of students is LifeWise’s highest priority,” a LifeWise statement said. “Importantly, to date, LifeWise has received zero reports of misconduct involving LifeWise students in connection with these matters or during LifeWise activities more broadly.”
LifeWise is a Christian organization that teaches public school students the Bible during the school day and is likely the largest user of religious release time in Ohio and the nation. Religious release time allows students to leave during the day for religious instruction, typically during an elective or lunch.
Multiple former LifeWise volunteers accused of sex crimes with minors
Kenneth Holycross, was charged with two counts of rape in Miami County on May 20. Holycross was accused by police of having sex with a minor under the age of 13. Holycross has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
William VanSickle, was charged with rape and two counts of sexual battery on April 21. VanSickle pleaded guilty to the charges on April 23.
Christopher Riggs, a former pastor at Washington Township Baptist Church in Muskingum County, was charged and pleaded guilty on May 13 to charges of voyeurism and gross sexual imposition of a 14-year-old in 2023, according to court documents.
A spokesperson for LifeWise said the organization “maintains strict child safety policies designed to provide multiple layers of accountability.” LifeWise uses ADP Screening and Selection Services for background checks.
The statement said that LifeWise also mandates that students are “never left one-on-one with a single adult during LifeWise programming, and multiple adults are present in classrooms and student settings at all times.”
“Unfortunately, individuals accused of crimes against minors have appeared in many types of youth-serving organizations and institutions across society,” the LifeWise statement said. “That reality is precisely why LifeWise maintains rigorous screening, supervision, and accountability measures and continually evaluates ways to strengthen safeguards designed to protect children.”
In 2024, LifeWise fired a program director after it was revealed she had allegedly exchanged “sexual and explicit” messages with minor students at a prior job as a teacher at a public school district.
Since its founding in 2019, LifeWise has surged in popularity in Ohio and across the country. The Dispatch previously reported that it operates in over 1,100 schools in 34 states, representing more than 100,000 students and operates in around half of all public schools in Ohio.
Cole Behrens covers K-12 education and school districts in central Ohio. Have a tip? Contact Cole at cbehrens@dispatch.com or connect with him on X at @Colebehr_report
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: LifeWise defends its background checks after three volunteers charged
Reporting by Cole Behrens, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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