Who We Are
Life Model Works is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 organization dedicated to developing and sharing the Life Model. Using brain science and biblical principles, our organization addresses solutions for trauma and how to strengthen relationships. Life Model Works leads the way in blending relational growth and spiritual wholeness into church discussions on topics like women in ministry, race, narcissism, and what it means to be a mature elder. We provide training, resources, and support to help churches and groups grow in joy, maturity, and transformation.
The Life Model
Developed using the research of Allan Schore, biblical scholars, and clinicians in the 1990’s, the Life Model is a way to understand how God designed people to emotionally and spiritually mature throughout life. It’s based on tested ideas that help people connect and thrive. The Life Model is made up of three principles: Relational Brain Skills, Immanuel Lifestyle, and Multigenerational Community. Each principle reflects our relationship-based approach that is essential for effective discipleship.
Also at the center of these three Life Model values is the importance of joy. The Life Model defines joy as “I’m glad to be with you”. We believe God demonstrates this kind of joy in His relationship with us – no matter the ups and downs of life. Joy also comes from human relationships that help reinforce this concept. Joy produces strong bonds and loving relationships. The absence of joy leaves people motivated by fear and overall less satisfied with life. The Life Model offers a path toward wholeness so people can live securely and joyfully attached to God and people.
Relational Brain Skills
Relational brain skills connect who we are, how we relate to others, and how we handle emotions. The way we act and interact with others to manage, share, and calm our feelings shapes how our relationships work. People with strong relational skills bring more joy and peace to those around them, while those without these skills often add stress and make problems seem bigger.
The Life Model teaches nineteen relational brain skills that help shape our identities. These skills work in a part of the brain that is faster than our conscious thoughts, so we can’t use willpower or planning to carry them out. They also can’t be learned from books, videos, or online tools. Relational skills can only be learned face-to-face with someone who already has them. Even then, they only transfer when there’s a joyful connection between the two people.
Immanuel Lifestyle
Immanuel Lifestyle
Multigenerational Community
In the Life Model, a multigenerational community means people of different ages and maturity levels coming together to support and grow each other in a safe and loving environment. True, lasting joy happens when at least three generations interact in joyful ways. This includes having people to learn from, peers who can offer mutual encouragement, as well as people to guide, all of whom help shape your identity to reflect the joyful and loving character of Christ instead of fear. In a joyful community, everyone works together to focus on what is good, lovely, praiseworthy, and true, especially for those who are struggling.
Multigenerational Community
In the Life Model, a multigenerational community means people of different ages and maturity levels coming together to support and grow each other in a safe and loving environment. True, lasting joy happens when at least three generations interact in joyful ways. This includes having people to learn from, peers who can offer mutual encouragement, as well as people to guide, all of whom help shape your identity to reflect the joyful and loving character of Christ instead of fear. In a joyful community, everyone works together to focus on what is good, lovely, praiseworthy, and true, especially for those who are struggling.
The LMW Team
Marlene Allen - Executive Director
Marlene Allen currently serves as the Executive Director of Life Model Works. She is an author, teacher, mentor, networker, licensed minister, and joy-starter. She graduated from McNeese State University in her home state of Louisiana. Her passion for teaching spiritual principles to young people led to a forty-plus-year journey of serving in schools and churches. During her 16-year service as a missionary in Southeast Asia, Marlene was introduced to Life Model Works and finally found the language to articulate the value of joy that she carried within her.
Prior to becoming executive director, Marlene was a relational practitioner and served on the Life Model Works Board of Directors. She firmly believes Life Model Works’ relational tools will help us represent the Lord better on the Earth.
Marlene is a mom to four amazing adults, Rachell, Victoria, Kia, and Moses, and is called ‘Momma Marlene’ by a host of others. She is the creator of Doodles at Relational Wholeness Doodles and the author of the children’s book Candlestick City, which can be found on Amazon.
Dr. Jim Wilder - Chief Neurotheologian
PhD, Clinical Psychology, and M.A. Theology, Fuller Theological Seminary
Dr. Jim Wilder has been training leaders and counselors for over 30 years on five continents. Jim has extensive clinical counseling experience and is the founder and chief neurotheologian of Life Model Works. Jim grew up in South America and is fluent in English and Spanish. He is the author of 20 books with a strong focus on maturity and relational skills. His co-authored book, Living from the Heart Jesus Gave You, has sold over 100,000 copies and is printed in 14 languages. Jim has published numerous articles and developed four sets of video and relational leadership trainings. He has served as a guest lecturer at Fuller Seminary, Biola, Talbot Seminary, St. John Vianney Theological Seminary, Montreat College, Tyndale Seminary, and elsewhere
Michael Sullivant - Director of Relational Networks
Michael Sullivant is a church planter, pastor, author, poet, and speaker. He has ministered in over 25 countries through over 40 years of public ministry. Michael and his wife, Terri, have 5 adult children and a growing number of grandchildren. His latest book is Thinking Biblically About the Life Model. Michael connects regularly with ministry leaders and change agents who desire to integrate more relational approaches in their groups and experience deeper, lasting identity transformation into the image of Jesus Christ.
Michel Hendricks – Director of Consulting
MDiv, Denver Seminary; BS. University of Colorado, Boulder
Michel Hendricks is the Director of Life Model Consulting. Michel has been a pastor, missionary, inventor, and author. He has been a teacher and trainer for more than 25 years. He is the former pastor of spiritual formation at Flatirons Community Church near Boulder, CO. He has also served and trained in Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, Kenya, South Sudan, and Uganda. He is the author of Basic Training for Walking with Jesus and co-author of The Other Half of Church. He works with churches and organizations to help bring maturity and character transformation back into the center of Christian practice.
Claudia Hendricks – Director of International Relations
Claudia is a passionate connector and trainer with vast experience in spiritual formation in Latin America and the United States. She holds a masters in speech pathology, which is where she first learned about the human brain. She is currently completing her MDiv at Fuller Seminary, but her most valuable lessons in life have come by experiencing God’s presence among the most vulnerable and marginalized people.
Alongside her husband Michel, Claudia is part of the Life Model Works and Thrive Training team, emphasizing the centrality of attachment to God and each other as the way to grow healthy families and communities. Claudia loves Jesus, being outside in nature, dancing, traveling, and spending quality time at a table with family and friends.
Jennifer Cochrane – Administrative Assistant
Jennifer is the administrative assistant for Life Model Works. After raising her three – now young adult – children as a full-time mom at home, she finds herself in an entirely different season of life these days. Jennifer is enjoying the ongoing and surprising journey of learning who God created her to be and accepting all the various parts of herself – from the messiest to the more put-together. In her other part-time job, she is a certified life coach who finds much joy and fulfillment in providing compassionate attunement and support to her clients on their own journeys. Jennifer is grateful that Immanuel led her to Life Model Works not only for employment but also as a place that offers continual exposure to transformational truths that can be practiced, lived out, and shared personally and professionally with others.
Lieza Bates – Marketing Coordinator
Lieza brings a blend of creativity, strategy, and soul to her work at Life Model Works. With a background in graphic design, spiritual formation, and nonprofit leadership, she helps turn big ideas into meaningful, beautiful content that connects. She oversees marketing efforts across email, social media, and video—building systems that support clear messaging and joyful engagement. Her favorite part of the job? Making transformation feel accessible and personal.
Outside of work, she’s usually color-coding something, hand lettering, reading, or savoring quiet moments with the people she loves.
