Agents of Renewal
The team behind The Life and Times of Theodore Addison
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Jamaal Fridge
Author
Jamaal Fridge is an evangelist licensed to minister at Zion Faith Center Bible Church in Chicago, an advisor on the Children's Literacy Initiative board, and an administrator of early childhood education research at the University of Chicago.
After graduating from Calvin University, he spent six years teaching English in China, working with students across all ages.
His deepest commitments are Christian education, Biblical literacy, and poverty alleviation.
Jamaal Fridge
Narrator
Ardin Patterson
Ardin Patterson is a Canadian voice actress with Noble Caplan Abrams. Her most recent project was voicing Cami Cashmere on Sparkles Magic Market. Her other credits include princesses, cats, and sassy teenagers.
You can see her work directly at her website, linked above. You can also find the 5th Grade Challenge audiobook at this link. If you want to book her, please contact her agent at her website.
Illustrator
Alejandro Diaz
Alejandro Diaz is a Texas-based graphic designer and illustrator whose art style draws from the rich visual tradition of Avatar: The Last Airbender. When he's not bringing characters to life on the page, he's likely defeating them in a video game.
To commission Alejandro for your own project, visit his Instagram page linked above.
Meet the Life Corps
Meet the Life Corps
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Theodore Addison
A 10-year-old genius who loves to invent new things.
While dealing with bullying in his hometown, Ted visited his best friend in Miracle City, where he teamed up with his new classmates to stop a terrorist attack. The bullying and the run-in with the government left him feeling like a bad kid, an image he still struggles to shake off.
Veronica Teal
A sharp-witted athlete, Veronica is the child of Canadian missionaries.
After unsuccessfully protesting her parents' decision to move to the US, she developed a tough exterior to prevent being bullied, turning into one herself. She deals with resentment towards her parents and grief following the sudden passing of her younger brother. She can be just as mean as she is loyal.
Derrick Read
A perfectionist and model student, Derrick is the only person Ted trusts to help with his inventions.
Honed by his father's desire for him not to fall prey to the streets, Derrick used to be overweight, unable to defend himself, and unwilling to let people into his life following the passing of his mother. He has since gotten into shape and opened his heart again, though the mirror doesn't always show him what others see.
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Diamond Forté
The popular girl of the group and the child of a successful entrepreneur.
Diamond's family picked up and moved after their juice
business took off. While she sees herself more as an artist, her parents now focus their energy on making her into a mathematician to one day take over the business. Diamond wants no part of it. While she likes her new life, living in a mostly white environment makes her feel like a fish out of water.
Yaakov Asefa
A withdrawn, Ethiopian Messianic Jewish immigrant, who also goes by the name James.
Yaakov never would have imagined moving away from Israel, much less doing so just a year or two after arriving. He opposed moving abroad and struggles to accept that the US is now his home. Forming friendships has been difficult, especially since he is very different from his new classmates, and he doesn't trust their sense of morality.
Ambrosa Rodríguez
The avid reader and the only Miracle City native of the group.
Ambrosa, better known as Bookworm, is a wellspring of knowledge for those who are close to her. While she also loves learning about her Mexican heritage, she feels most at home in the US. Unassuming in appearance, Bookworm overcomes her difficulties with grit she never knew she had. Still, she struggles with coming out of her shell, due to the mockery she receives from her peers when she gushes about something she loves.
These children aren't alone. Your children can also...
Join the Life Corps
What is Life Corps?
A) The name of Theodore Addison's team that helps save the city?
B) The ministry behind The Life and Times of Theodore Addison book series?
C) Young people who choose to follow Christ and live out their God-given purpose?
D) All of the above.
The answer is D.
Parents want their children to succeed in life, make good decisions, overcome challenges, and develop a strong sense of identity that won't be shaken by the world around them.
Teachers want students who engage with meaningful ideas, overcome challenges, work well with others, and recognize their potential to make a difference.
Pastors want young people who don't simply attend church, but develop a lasting relationship with Christ and the confidence to live out their faith in everyday life.
But young people want something too: they want to know where they fit, what they're capable of, and whether their life can make a difference.
Life Corps exists to help them answer their deepest questions—and build their lives on the answers.
In The Life and Times of Theodore Addison, Life Corps is the team of ordinary kids who step up, serve others, walk with God, and make a difference in their community.
Behind the stories, Life Corps is the ministry committed to helping the next generation grow in faith, character, and purpose.
The children in these books aren't superheroes. They're ordinary kids facing real challenges, real fears, and real choices. As they learn to trust God and care for others, readers discover an important truth:
"God takes me seriously right now."
Our hope is that every child who encounters these stories will leave believing they matter, their choices matter, and their life has a God-given purpose.
The Life Corps is open to every young person who wants to follow Jesus, serve others, and live out God's calling on their life. If that's you, download your official Life Corporal ID Card below and we'll keep you updated on new books, resources, and Life Corps news.