"We are living in the midst of a
connection crisis."
Dr. Todd Hall
Our Story
John 15 Academy began with a simple yet profound mission: to create secure environments where families can thrive, live loved, and discover their true identities in Christ. Founded by Janet Newberry, an experienced educator and family consultant, the Academy has become a trusted source of transformation for families seeking freedom from fear, performance-based living, and toxic stress. Janet’s deep passion for family discipleship comes from over 30 years in education and leadership. She is certified in High Trust Leadership with Trueface.org and in Relational Spirituality Coaching through Dr. Todd Hall's Relational Spirituality Academy.
From the beginning, John 15 Academy has offered personalized coaching, small-group discipleship, and resources that help families live in connection, not chaos. Through the LOVE IS FEARLESS podcast, Janet and Doug have helped families understand the beauty of living a life of grace and truth. By focusing on relationships, Janet’s expertise brings a fresh perspective on how families can break free from damaging cycles of stress and fear.
As we look toward the future, John 15 Academy is committed to helping families experience true transformation by embracing four essential pillars: transformational relationships, supportive environments, exchanged identities, and connected communities. These pillars are not just strategies but life-giving principles rooted in biblical truth that equip families to thrive, even in a chaotic world.
Our mission is to help families move from survival mode to flourishing, aiming not at performance but at building safe and generous relationships. As Janet has found in her research, when we aim at building safe, supportive relationships and nurturing maturity, performance naturally follows. Together, there is great hope.
The John 15 Academy Solution
In today’s world, families are often overwhelmed by toxic stress—stress fueled by fear, shame, and the pressure to perform.
At John 15 Academy, we believe families can live free from this cycle by embracing a biblical approach centered on four transformative pillars:
1. Transformational Relationships
At the core of the Gospel is the call to live in relationship with one another, rooted in love and trust. Jesus modeled transformational relationships based on unconditional love and grace, not performance. We help families cultivate these kinds of relationships, focusing on connection over control. As Janet’s research shows, when we aim to strengthen relationships, not only do connections deepen, but performance also improves in every area of life (John 15:12).
3. Living from Our God-Given, Unique Identity
Toxic stress leads many individuals to believe their worth is tied to their behavior. At John 15 Academy, we help families embrace the truth of their God-given identity—loved, accepted, and free in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). This exchanged identity frees us from fear and shame, allowing transformation to occur from the inside out. We no longer have to perform to prove our worth, but rather, we live from the security of knowing we are already loved and accepted.
2. Supportive Environments
Homes, schools, and churches can be places where children and adults alike feel secure and valued. At John 15 Academy, we help families create supportive environments built on empathy, connection, challenge, and inspiration. These spaces are filled with purpose, joy, order, access to nature, meaningful conversations, and discipline. The Bible teaches us that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), and in supportive environments, fear is replaced with peace, where children and parents can grow in love and safety.
4. Living in a Connected Community
We are called to live in community, and healthy relationships are essential for lasting transformation. Like the early church in Acts 2:42-47, we help families build connected communities where parents and children benefit from encouragement, shared strengths, and missional living. When we live in connected, grace-filled relationships, transformation is not just a possibility—it’s inevitable.
Through these four pillars, John 15 Academy offers a lasting solution for families impacted by toxic stress. By focusing on building safe and generous relationships, supporting emotional and spiritual maturity, and living from a place of security in Christ, families can experience lasting transformation.
No matter how chaotic the world may be, John 15 Academy equips families to live loved and shamelessly free.
A Biblical Worldview:
Living Loved Instead of Afraid
In a world dominated by fear, performance, and comparison, we are called to live from a different foundation—a foundation of love, grace, and truth found in Christ. At John 15 Academy, we embrace a new worldview rooted in the Gospel, where our identity is secure, our relationships are transformational, and our mission is clear. This worldview invites us to live loved, not afraid, reflecting the heart of God in our homes, communities, and beyond.
Because we embrace this Biblical worldview, we live a life of love, grace, and truth, empowered by the Holy Spirit and rooted in our identity in Christ. As we embrace these principles, we create homes, communities, and churches that reflect the heart of God—places where fear has no hold, and where we are free to grow, thrive, and live courageously in His love.