The Holy Spirit does not work within KY school hours, nor does it need HB 829 | Opinion

As a pastor, parent and evangelical Christian, I love to share the good news of Jesus Christ. I also think it is wise to consider context, timing and audience while sharing. In my opinion, it is unwise to allow religious groups to provide instruction at public schools during school hours.

Instead, religious organizations should follow the example of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life, both of which have a long history of meeting with students before or after school hours and on club days. These ministries have thrived for years in many communities and schools.

House Bill 829 removes the authority of school boards to approve or reject moral and religious instruction on school grounds. Local schools would have to accommodate all groups that meet minimum supervision standards to offer moral and religious instruction during school hours. If HB 829 passes, local school boards could be sued for not allowing groups to meet on or off school property during school hours.

“All given equal opportunity” sounds amazing, but House Bill 829 is focused on LifeWise Academy, an Ohio-based Christian organization that insists on offering religious instruction during school hours. LifeWise has proved unwilling to consider school boards’ offer to allow the organization to meet after school hours. Instead, it has successfully organized and lobbied politicians to take the decision out of the hands of local school boards and force public schools to support and implement religious instruction during school hours. Hence, HB 829.

Before and after school and on club days is the wisest course for religious instruction and influence in public schools. In the fall of 2025, LifeWise was given this and other generous options by the Oldham County Board of Education. LifeWise corporate offices will not allow local chapters to budge on “during school hours.”

The Holy Spirit is currently active through teachers and staff who share the love of Christ through their actions. Students can lead weekly Bible studies when they feel they Spirit’s nudge. Leaders of FCA and Young Life do the hard work of meeting with teams and groups without disrupting the school day.

The teachings and practices of outside religious groups are inconsistent with the instruction and inclusive environment that public schools provide Kentucky students. For example, LifeWise Academy holds an inerrant view of Scripture. Inerrancy is word-for-word, literal interpretation of the Bible. Many faithful Christians believe in biblical inerrancy. Other Christians believe inerrancy provides insufficient historical and cultural context and author authority.

An inerrant reading of Paul’s letters instructs women to remain silent and not to take head leadership roles in the church, home or society. This interpretation limits the role of women. As a parent, I can see the difference between LifeWise Academy and social studies class. Elementary school students will not.

Inerrant interpretations of the Bible have hard news for LGBTQIA+, divorced, Jewish and Muslim students and families. Is such news consistent with the environment of Kentucky public schools?

An inerrant interpretation claims the Earth is 6,000-10,000 years old. Some inerrantists claim that a belief in seven-day (24-hour-per-day) creation is essential for biblical authority.

A logistical nightmare

In places like Oldham County, moral and religious instruction will grow rapidly. LifeWise’s three-year plan in Oldham County has chapters in nine-plus+ schools, 90-plus volunteers and $640,000 raised by the end of the 2027-2028 school year. In 2028-2029 it plans to expand to middle and high schools. LifeWise alone will require coordination from teachers and staff. So will every religious group that would like to offer instruction.

LifeWise coordinators are faithful Christians who long to share the good news of Christ to children in a healthy way. Will the volunteers providing religious instruction be as gifted and trained during school hours as the public school teachers?

House Bill 829 requires boards to give access to all moral and religious instruction that meets the state requirements. Other moral and religious groups like Methodists, Episcopalians, Latter-Day Saints, Muslims, Jews, Harry Potter fans, Dungeons and Dragons gamers – the list goes on – will organize and ask to host a group during school hours. House Bill 829 requires the school board to be open to all groups, meaning religious instruction during school hours could easily become very hard to manage.

Imagine the community response from a minority religious or moral belief. Imagine the work required for teachers and administrators in four years when students from every school are leaving or staying on school grounds for moral and religious instruction during school hours from multiple religious groups.

What is needed and wise? Teachers, students and staff joining the Holy Spirit in sharing the love of Christ through action. Religious organizations following the great work of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young Life that provide religious instruction and experiences after school hours.

House Bill 829 is not needed. The Holy Spirit is on the move in the public schools. We would be wise to follow the Spirit’s lead.

Rev. Derek Robinette is the Senior Pastor at Crestwood United Methodist Church in Crestwood, KY and can be contacted at derek@crestwoodmethodist.com

This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 11:56 AM.