Have you ever wondered how great ideas come to life?
They rarely arrive in a flash of brilliance. More often, they emerge through reflection, observation, and a deep desire to make a difference. That’s how it happened for Patrick and Allyse Sedivy—the founders of Cumorah Academy—whose vision for the rising generation began with a simple yet life-changing prompting.
They couldn’t have imagined that what happened next would alter the course of their lives forever. It began quietly—just an ordinary day at home—until an extraordinary prompting interrupted everything and set a new destiny in motion.
An Unexpected Prompt
Two decades ago, both Patrick and Allyse felt that unmistakable nudge from above—an impression that would change their lives and the lives of countless young adults around the world. What makes their story even more remarkable is that the same prompting came to both of them—at the very same time—but while they were in different rooms of their home.
When they came together to share what they had felt, their words aligned perfectly:
“We need to start a school in the Czech Republic.”
At the time, the idea might have seemed impossible—like building castles in the air. Yet, through faith, perseverance, and a shared belief in a divine purpose, their dream took shape.
Returning to Their Roots
The Czech Republic was not unfamiliar ground for Patrick and Allyse.
Patrick’s parents had fled Czechoslovakia in the late 1960s, seeking religious freedom and a place where they could live their faith openly. Many years later, as a young man, Patrick returned to his homeland as a missionary, developing a deep love for the Czech people and their resilience.
That connection only grew stronger after he and Allyse married. Together, they moved to the Czech Republic for two and a half years, raising their family in a country that had once been closed off to faith and opportunity. Their children attended school there, learned the language, and grew to love the land and its people even more deeply.
So when that powerful prompting came years later—to start a school in the Czech Republic—it wasn’t random. It was, in many ways, a return to their roots. It was a call to give back to a nation that had shaped their hearts and to uplift the young adults who would one day lead it.
Hard Work Toward a Greater Good
Turning that spiritual impression into a tangible reality was not easy.
Founding a school from scratch required time, effort, faith, and sacrifice. The Sedivys faced countless challenges—securing a location, gathering support, and shaping a curriculum that would truly prepare students for life. But they never wavered.
With prayer and determination, they laid the foundation for what would become Cumorah Academy—a leadership school for young adults built on faith, service, and personal growth.
At first, the school’s mission was simple: to help young adults in Central Europe discover their potential and lead with purpose. But it didn’t take long for the vision to expand. Students began arriving from all over the world—each bringing unique stories, dreams, and struggles.
Through its combination of education, mentoring, and spiritual grounding, Cumorah Academy became a home for transformation. Students not only learned business and leadership skills but also found clarity, confidence, and faith in their divine potential.
Patrick and Allyse’s vision for the rising generation had taken form—not just as a school, but as a movement.
Stories Behind the Vision
Today, when you read about the many students whose lives have been changed by Cumorah Academy, it’s easy to see the impact.
There are stories of young adults who arrived unsure of their future but left with a clear purpose and direction. Stories of students who discovered their talents, built lifelong friendships, and reconnected with their faith. Stories of mentors who came to teach and found themselves just as transformed by the experience.
Behind every testimony and every success is the same heartbeat—the Sedivys’ original desire to serve and uplift. Their faith-driven initiative has touched hundreds of students from dozens of countries, proving that when we act on inspired ideas, the ripple effects extend far beyond what we can imagine.
The Impact Is Still Unfolding
As of 2025, Cumorah Academy has grown far beyond what Patrick and Allyse first envisioned.
Its influence has reached into schools, communities, and humanitarian projects. The Academy has built bridges between cultures, united young people under shared values, and inspired them to serve others with compassion and faith.
Every semester, mentors, teachers, and volunteers from across the globe join in this mission. They bring knowledge, but more importantly, they bring heart—helping students see that leadership is not about status or power, but about service and purpose.
“We wanted to create a place where young adults could find direction,” Patrick once shared, “where they could build their faith and skills, and then go out to make the world better.”
That vision continues to flourish. Each year, new students arrive, full of curiosity and hope. And each year, they leave transformed—ready to bring light to their families, communities, and careers.
The Sedivys’ journey is a testament to what happens when people choose to act on their faith. They didn’t wait for perfect circumstances or guarantees of success. They simply trusted that a good idea, guided by divine inspiration, could grow into something extraordinary.
A Legacy of Purpose
Patrick and Allyse’s story is more than a history—it’s a legacy.
Their vision for the rising generation continues to live in every student who walks through Cumorah Academy’s doors. It lives in every mentor who volunteers their time, every donor who believes in the mission, and every project that helps others find their purpose.
What began as a quiet prompting in two separate rooms has become a worldwide effort to empower young adults to become leaders of faith, integrity, and courage.
And perhaps the most beautiful part of their story is that it’s still being written—by each new student who arrives with dreams of their own, ready to discover what they are capable of.
Carrying the Vision Forward
Patrick and Allyse’s example invites all of us to listen more closely—to our thoughts, our hearts, and the divine guidance that may be whispering the next step for us to take.
Great ideas don’t always start with plans or resources. They start with a feeling—a desire to do something good—and the faith to act on it.
That’s what vision for the rising generation truly means: believing that with faith, courage, and work, dreams can become reality.
Give Hope. Change a Life.
If you’ve ever felt a desire to make a difference—to lift others, to serve with purpose, or to bring light where it’s needed most—this is your moment. Cumorah Academy is built on the belief that hope can change lives, and together, we can make that happen.
This Giving Hope season, your generosity can open doors for young adults around the world—giving them access to education, mentorship, and the chance to build a brighter future.
Give Hope today. Your contribution doesn’t just support a school—it transforms lives and inspires a generation to believe in their purpose.
Donate now and help us spread hope to the rising generation.
Written by Fernando L. Ferreira Jr.
Supervision by Kamila Uberto Fullmer
