In this episode of the Key Ministry Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich speaks with Kim Botto about her book Boundless Hope, which equips churches to better welcome and support children with hidden disabilities, trauma histories, and big emotions. Kim shares personal stories, practical strategies, and a powerful vision for inclusive ministry that starts with relationship and empathy.
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Boundless Hope: Creating Church Spaces Where Every Child Belongs
A conversation with Dr. Steve Grcevich and Kim Botto on the Key Ministry Podcast
Why Boundless Hope Matters
When veteran children’s ministry leader Kim Botto wrote Boundless Hope, She wanted it to do more than sit on a church bookshelf. She wanted it to open eyes, shift mindsets, and spark action. In a recent conversation on the Key Ministry Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich spoke with Kim about the heart behind her book—and how churches can become radically welcoming spaces for kids with hidden disabilities, trauma backgrounds, and big emotions.
“I didn’t want families to go through the trauma of being turned away from church. I wanted to help churches become safe places for every child.” —Kim Botto
A Vision Rooted in Prayer and Real Life
It Began with Listening to the Holy Spirit
In 2012, Kim and her team at Crossroads Church prayed separately about the year ahead. When they came together, they realized they all heard the same call:
- Create a space where every child is welcomed—even kids who had been rejected by other churches.
- Be ready for families who speak different languages, who don’t know Jesus, or who need a safe place to breathe.
From Vision to Implementation
It wasn’t easy. The church wasn’t fully prepared:
- A second-grader smoked in the bathroom.
- A child brought a weapon to church.
- Volunteers were overwhelmed.
So Kim dove deeper into trauma-informed care and began training her team to support kids who experience the world differently.
How Churches Can Reach Isolated Families
Start Simple: Offer Support and Show Up
One of the biggest takeaways from the podcast (and the book) is this: transformation doesn’t require a massive program or building.
- Launch a support group for foster/adoptive or neurodivergent families.
- Provide trained childcare so parents can breathe and connect.
- Check in midweek with a text or drop-off coffee before an IEP meeting.
- Train volunteers to connect—not just correct.
“We don’t need fancy stuff. We need people who love these kids and see the good in them.” —Kim Botto
From Behavior to Belonging: Changing the Mindset
Shift the Focus from ‘Fixing’ to Understanding
The heart of Boundless Hope is recognizing that behavior is communication. Kids with fluctuating emotional capacity need us to be:
- Curious, not controlling
- Calm, not reactive
- Flexible, not rigid
Kim’s favorite analogy: Just because a child could do something last week doesn’t mean they can today. Like running in high humidity, their capacity depends on their environment.
“Behavior is the language of children who have lost their voice.” —Dr. Karen Purvis
A Challenge—and an Invitation—to the Church
What If Your Church Was the Safe Place?
Too many churches assume special needs ministry must be big, flashy, or expensive. Kim insists it’s not about the model—it’s about the mindset.
If you’re a pastor or ministry leader, here’s how you can begin:
- Get in proximity to families raising kids with disabilities or trauma
- Listen without fixing
- Ask what support looks like, not what “success” looks like
- Show up, Sunday and beyond
“I don’t want the title. But if I were the evangelical pope, I’d tell every pastor: have coffee with a parent of a child who’s struggling. That will change your heart.” —Kim Botto
Where to Find Boundless Hope (and More)
- Book: Available on Amazon and KimBotto.com (bulk discounts available)
- Free Discussion Guide: Great for churches, schools, and ministry teams
- Book Clubs + KidMin Hangouts: Virtual gatherings to discuss real strategies and share encouragement
- Upcoming Events: Including Kim’s intensive on trauma at the Disability and the Church Tour stop in Ohio (September 11–12). Keep an eye out for more information!
Final Thoughts
Kim Botto’s Boundless Hope isn’t just a book—it’s a movement. One that starts with a simple yet radical idea: every child is made in the image of God and deserves a place to belong.
