How can the Church welcome families impacted by
DISABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA?
The Gospel is the key.
The Gospel is the key
to welcoming individuals and families impacted by disability.
WHO WE ARE
A gospel-driven movement supporting disability inclusion.
Key Ministry serves churches seeking to welcome individuals and families impacted by disability, mental illness and trauma, for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Through resources, training, and ongoing support, we help churches create environments where these individuals and families can know Christ.
APRIL 21-23, 2026
APRIL 21-23, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MCLEAN BIBLE CHURCH
RECENT
Podcasts Episodes
179: When Grandparents Bring the Kids to Church
177: Three Qualities of Disability Awareness
176: The Trauma Pastors Rarely Talk About with Dr. Steve Grcevich & Jeremy Smith
175: Top Ten Disability Ministry Wins from 2025
Ep 174: Jesus’ Christmas Names
173: Helping Vulnerable Kids Heal – Whole-Person Practices for Families & Churches
172: Sharing the Gospel with People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
171: Calloused Hearts
170: The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: Interview with Dr. Mark Mayfield
169: Supporting Neurodiverse Teens in Your Youth Ministry
179: When Grandparents Bring the Kids to Church
In more churches than we realize, grandparents are the ones getting kids in the car on Sunday morning—sometimes as full-time caregivers, sometimes as the “bridge” when parents aren’t attending, and sometimes as the steady, faithful presence a child depends on.
When disability is part of that story, ministry leaders often face a unique challenge: we’re trying to serve a child’s needs while also communicating with a grandparent who may not have all the details, may feel hesitant or protective, and may be carrying grief, fatigue, or fear under the surface.
In Episode 179, Sandra Peoples is joined by David Armijo, Special Needs Ministry Director at Champion Forest Baptist Church, for a practical and pastoral conversation on how churches can better support grandparents who bring their grandkids—especially when those grandkids have disabilities.
177: Three Qualities of Disability Awareness
You don’t need the situational awareness of Jason Bourne to be effective in disability ministry. Jesus shows us that true disability awareness is much simpler and far more meaningful. It means going to where the need is, starting genuine conversations, and leading individuals with a disability into a personal and growing relationship with Him. This is the heart of faithful, gospel-centered disability ministry.
176: The Trauma Pastors Rarely Talk About with Dr. Steve Grcevich & Jeremy Smith
Pastors are often expected to be resilient, spiritually strong, and emotionally steady—especially in the face of crisis.
But what happens when church leaders themselves are carrying unresolved trauma from their own past?
In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich sits down with counselor and researcher Jeremy Smith to explore the often-unspoken reality of trauma in pastors’ lives and why addressing it matters for the health of the Church. This conversation moves beyond theory and into lived experience, research, and gospel-centered hope, offering church leaders permission to name what they carry and practical wisdom for cultivating resilient, healthy ministry.
RESOURCES
Stories, Articles & Downloads
It’s Just a Fact, Not a Complaint
The Wedding Gift
I’m Fine
Everything I Have
Still Life
When Hurting People Come to Church: A Vision for Mental Health Ministry Ep 166
3 Myths in the Church About Mental Health
DATC 2026 Call for Speakers
John 10 and The 5 Qualities of the Disability Effective Leader with Chris Hulshof Ep 163
School Daze or School Days?
It’s Just a Fact, Not a Complaint
"It's just a fact, not a complaint." We say that so often. When sharing something that might come across as a compliant in the everyday care of our son (Joey) with special needs, when experiencing a challenging behavior, or relating some hardship that special needs...
The Wedding Gift
In May of last year, I got remarried to my current wife (Faith), having been divorced from my first wife - my son’s mom, several years ago. Following the divorce, I became a single parent to my disabled son Chris. While I doubted that new love could find me, I met...
I’m Fine
How often do we say, "I'm fine" when asked “How are you?” We know the answer: all the time. And we know why: It takes much too much effort and emotion at times to say how we really are. Sometimes the care, concerns, and challenges we deal with having a child(ren) with...
TOGETHER
We can reach further.
Key Ministry is a nonprofit 501c3 that depends on the investments of individuals donors and churches.
To sustain our mission and fulfill our role in this Great Commission movement, we’re seeking partners willing to invest a recurring monthly gift to Key Ministry.
With your ongoing support, you become part of a powerful ripple effect—helping us reach and equip church leaders who, in turn, launch ministries that bring the gospel to individuals and families impacted by disability.
Would you consider joining us as a monthly partner?
TOGETHER
We can reach further.
Key Ministry is a nonprofit 501c3 that depends on the investments of individuals donors and churches.
To sustain our mission and fulfill our role in this Great Commission movement, we’re seeking partners willing to invest a recurring monthly gift to Key Ministry.
With your ongoing support, you become part of a powerful ripple effect—helping us reach and equip church leaders who, in turn, launch ministries that bring the gospel to individuals and families impacted by disability.
Would you consider joining us as a monthly partner?
Looing for a welcoming church?
WHAT WE DO
We serve churches looking to welcome
individuals impacted by disabilities through:
Conferences
We bring together church leaders and families through conferences designed to inspire and equip them to welcome individuals impacted by disability.
Disability & the Church
The Disability and the Church (DATC) conference is a yearly in-person event that addresses disability, mental health, and church inclusion.
Mental Health & the Church
The Mental Health & the Church Conference equips church leaders with strategies to support individuals and families impacted by mental illness. Through expert-led discussions and “Quick Takes” sessions, attendees will gain insights on providing peer support, creating inclusive church environments, and collaborating with mental health professionals.
Regional Disability Events
The Disability & the Church Regional Events deliver the same high-impact training and practical strategies from our national conference—now in your backyard! These immersive, day-and-a-half experiences are designed to equip church leaders with the tools to create welcoming, gospel-centered communities for individuals and families impacted by disability. Walk away with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and a renewed vision for inclusive ministry.
Collaboration
We provide tailored consulting and foster collaboration to help churches create effective disability inclusion strategies.
Monthly Virtual Roundtables
Key Ministry's Monthly Video Roundtables are designed for church leaders and ministry professionals to engage in focused, interactive discussions on disability and mental health ministry. These sessions offer practical solutions and peer support to address challenges and implement inclusive strategies, with the goal of fostering stronger, more supportive church communities.
IdeaShare
Key Ministry's IdeaShare is a collaborative forum aimed at sparking creativity and innovation in disability and mental health ministry. Its goal is to provide a platform where leaders can exchange new ideas, resources, and strategies to enhance church outreach, making ministries more impactful and accessible.
MORE INFO
Coaching
We offer free, practical resources to guide churches in embracing and supporting individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and trauma.
Mental Health & the Church
Churches across North America have struggled to minister effectively to individuals with common mental health conditions due to the lack of a widely accepted outreach model. In Mental Health and the Church, Dr. Stephen Grcevich offers a simple, flexible model for mental health inclusion, addressing seven barriers to church participation and providing strategies for families and churches to foster spiritual growth for those impacted by mental illness.
Checklist & Get Started with Special Needs & Disability Inclusion Ministry
Looking to create or expand an inclusive ministry in your church? Our resources are designed to support you, no matter where you are in the process. Whether you're gaining senior leadership support or equipping volunteers, we offer the vision and practical tools to help your church welcome more families impacted by disability.
Books We Recommend
Here are some recommended books that can help deepen your understanding and enhance your ministry to individuals and families impacted by disability and mental health conditions.