Session #1

FRI APR 24

9:30a – 10:45a

3 QuickTakes:

• The Encouraged Caregiver: Tapping Your Unique Strengths – Lisa Jamieson [Family Track] – The caregiver’s life is intense, and some people are more naturally “wired” for it than others. Still, no matter who you are and what circumstances you face, God has uniquely equipped you to care for your family. There is a way to get into a satisfying and effective groove socially, emotionally, spiritually and practically.

• All Things New: Finding Hope for the Special Needs Parent – Sarah Broady [Family Track] – Feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are completely normal when facing a new (or continuing) diagnosis. Depression and anxiety can overwhelm our minds and bodies and suffocate the life out of us, as we struggle to care for our special needs children. But there IS hope! Having fought through severe postpartum depression with three children, survival mode after an autism diagnosis, experiencing clinical depression and severe anxiety in the years following diagnosis and major life transitions, Sarah shares the hope she carries in her heart in three simple words: all things new.

• What Happened to My Wife? – James Achilles [Family Track] – The challenges brought to a marriage by disability seem endless, and those challenges can build up or tear down a Christian couple. The Word calls us as a Church to honor the marriage union; it represents the relationship between Christ and His bride. Thus the health of every marriage within the church is a priority for the body as a whole. But how to exercise that priority without undue intervention, judgment, or standards? For Christian couples to endure well, they must shed their expectations, turn a deaf ear to the judgment of their peers, and carve out their fulfillment of God’s plan for the family in unique ways. James shares how the Church can support special needs parents with intentional and gracious gifts of love, time, rest, prayers, and the freedom for the couple to enjoy each other as God intended.

Workshops

Beyond a One-Time Event! – Mona Fuerstenau [Ministry Track] – Your event was a success! Many people were blessed. But now what? How do you turn that one-time event into a gateway of opportunities within your faith community? Discover a process to invite people with disabilities into the regular activities of your congregation, without having to launch a separate disability ministry program that requires more volunteers and additional programming. Develop plans and procedures for a lifetime of participation.

Strategically Coming Alongside Special Needs Families – Becky Davidson [Ministry Track] – Did you know there are simple, specific, and practical ways to support the special needs families in your community? In this workshop, Becky Davidson dispels many myths and assumptions about the disability community, and gives leaders a plan for how to come alongside this underserved group. She provides practical tips and tools for how to move from a “one size fits all” approach to meeting families where they are, and acknowledging their unique needs. Full of insight and useful information, this workshop gives you practical, achievable goals that you can do yourself.

The 5 Most Common Special Needs Parent Hurdles and How to Overcome Them – Melanie Gomez [Family Track] – In this workshop, Melanie Gomez speaks transparently about the most common hurdles faced by special needs parents. Fear, anxiety, hopelessness, disappointment and sorrow are experienced by all of us, but there are real, scriptural solutions to be found. Melanie will unpack the Biblical strategy to overcoming each of these hurdles and living victoriously as we face challenges today and in the future.

Session #2

FRI APR 24

11:00a – 12:15p

4 QuickTakes:

• bEfriend: From Isolation to Community – Sarah Harriman & Rebecca Wall [Ministry Track] – bEfriend, 99 Balloons’ newest model of ministry, brings meaningful and mutual relationships to adults with and without disability. Learn about the profound impact bEfriend communities are having around the country and how you can get involved.

• Making the Gospel Accessible to All Families – Kerri-Ann Hayes [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Kerri-Ann Hayes is the director of a ministry with over 700 children. More than 150 of those children have special needs, or are from traumatic backgrounds. With a ministry based on Mark 2:2-5, learn how Kerri-Ann and her team have worked to remove obstacles that stand in the way of parents bringing their children to Jesus. Also learn her ministry’s successful volunteer recruitment strategy of 1:1 connection, with an emphasis on the power of the Gospel to change lives.

• Navigating a New Normal – Amberle Brown [Ministry Track/Family Track] – For many people in our churches, disability is something they encounter in the middle of their lives – whether from an accident, illness, aging, or diagnosis – and this brings with it a new normal in church, family, and life. In this session, Amberle shares her journey of becoming legally blind at the age of 21, and how she has used her experience to provide a framework for coming around church members who are navigating a new disability. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of what they and their church can do at various stages of the transition experienced by those adjusting to disability.

• The 5 Stages of Disability Attitudes – Vinnie Adams [Ministry Track/Family Track] – The 5 Stages is a helpful, concise—yet profound—tool to assess worldview and culture, while painting a picture of a preferred future. Everyone will find themselves somewhere on the “journey,” whether it’s in ignorance, pity, care, friendship, or co-laborer, and will be challenged to take the next step towards changing our personal worldviews, our church cultures, and our world!

Workshops

Behavior Strategies That Work! – Tiffany Crow [Ministry Track] – When running a special needs ministry, the phrase “managing difficult behavior” is not an if but when. In this training, you will learn how to systematically and effectively manage behavior. We will set a foundation of understanding the environment and how it shapes behavior. We will then utilize a decision making flow chart to guide strategy selection, practice application and review the science behind the selected strategies. Knowing the science empowers you to generalize strategies across students and situations, as well as teach the plan to your volunteers. Participants will learn some of the science of behavior, and add to their ministry tool belt!

Supporting Special Needs Siblings – Sandra Peoples [Family Track] – Sandra is both a special-needs sibling and a parent, so she has a unique view on what it’s like to grow up in a special-needs family. In this session, she will share the three phases the typical kids in your family go through, and how to support them through each phase. She will also address the biggest worries special-needs parents have for their typical kids, and provide encouragement from her experiences.

Session #3

FRI APR 24

1:45p – 3:00p

3 QuickTakes:

• The Power of One: Discipleship Strategies for Those with Special Needs – Jim McCaffrey [Ministry Track] – As the church, how do we best help those with special needs grow in Christ? In this presentation, Jim will share what he has personally learned about growing in Christ as a person on the autism spectrum. Throughout Jim’s life, God has used a few individuals at different times to help move him along in his faith. These people saw past strange behaviors unusual interests and invested themselves into helping him belong in the church. Just one person can empower a person with special needs to grow spiritually. This session provides practical strategies on how to disciple this population of teens and adults.

• Blue Blessings – Janet Williams [Ministry Track] – Blue Blessings is an Autism Speaks initiative aimed at creating a more inclusive world for children, adults and families affected by autism spectrum disorder. With 1 in 59 children on the autism spectrum, it is a known fact that faith communities are impacted. Many families no longer attend religious services for fear of being judged or disturbing others; some have been asked to leave churches. But a faith community can be an extended family, embracing and nourishing its members with compassion, support, love and hope. Autism Speaks works to create more accepting and understanding support systems, including faith communities. Learn about the ways faith communities can be even more inclusive, with the fresh approach of Blue Blessings.

• The Swirl of Semantics – Laura Lee Wright & Linda Hampton Starnes [Ministry Track] – Words have power which reflect our attitudes, opinions, perspectives and feelings … including the words surrounding the aspect of disability. Words can assist with creating environments that are inclusive of all persons in the ever evolving swirl of semantics. As places of worship endeavor to open doors ever wider to include all, awareness and understanding of diverse views about words regarding disability is essential. During this “Ted Talk” Linda Hampton Starnes, family advocate and parent of two adult children with disabilities, and Laura Lee Wright, advocate and ministry worker will provide reflections on the shifting paradigms of words used to depict disability. This presentation brings thoughtful ideas for consideration by families and church staff on inclusive and welcoming words.

• Too Tired to Care: Preventing Exhaustion & Burnout – Lisa Mattheiss [Ministry Track] – Special needs ministry is exhausting; caregiving is exhausting. Most special needs ministry personnel are caregiving on personal, professional and/or ministry levels. How do you care for yourself in the midst of caring for others? Is it possible to balance care for self and others without completely leaving ministry? Where and how do you draw boundaries? Drawing from her own experience as caregiver and ministry leader, Lisa Mattheiss offers insights into the potential hazards of disability ministry, the difference between burnout and compassion fatigue, signs of burnout or compassion fatigue, and how they connect. Lisa will also offer practical tips for building resiliency from the book Resilient Ministry by Bob Burns, Donald C. Guthrie, and Tasha D. Chapman.

Workshops

Trauma Informed Kids and Student Ministry – Kim Botto [Ministry Track] – Millions of American children have experienced trauma. Because of their past experiences, traditional responses and discipline simply aren’t effective. Join us as we dig into “why” behind disruptive behavior while learning practical and proven methods to respond to kids with challenging behavior in healthier and more effective ways. In a trauma informed ministry, volunteers are empowered, parents feel welcomed and understood, and kids are better able to hear and understand the love of Jesus.

Building Resilience in Our Lives: What We Learned from 8 Years of Research – Tasha Chapman [Ministry Track] – What does it take to sustain fruitful ministry service over the long haul? Why is the ministry of serving so uniquely taxing in our current USA culture? What if self-care was not selfish but a wise form of self-denial in order to “finish the race?” How might our unique contexts work against healthy habits in our emotional, social and physical health? This workshop will look at some relevant findings from a large study on the sustainability of pastors. We will practice using some tools to push against unhealthy cultural pressures and to pursue self-stewardship for the good work the Lord has put before us.

Barriers to the Gospel: Idols of Our Hearts, Church Culture, and Disability Culture – Stephanie Hubach [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Tim Keller defines an idol as “anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.…” What if barriers to making the gospel accessible to all actually come from deeper issues—such as the idols of our hearts, the idols of church culture, and even the idols of disability culture? Come hear an overview on how you can reflect on all three arenas in your local and ministry context.

Sensory Rooms & Calming Spaces: Creating a Place to Rest & De-stress – Deb Abbs [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Need time to process and chill everything offered at IFL2020—or from the demands of your life? Come unplug and slow down, so the Lord can give you rest from doing ministry or caregiving. In this interactive workshop, you’ll learn how to create a space for self-care and be equipped with relaxation techniques. This is not just for folks with high sensory needs: calming spaces can benefit those with migraines, chronic fatigue syndrome, mental health issues and others who are just plain tired!

Jack & Jill on Autism’s Hill: Male & Female Diversity in Autism Spectrum Disorder – Lori Sealy [Ministry Track/Family Track] – In the Biblical account of creation, we are told “male and female God created them.” It doesn’t take much intellectual effort to recognize that men and women, boys and girls do indeed differ—physically, emotionally, and psychologically. What role, if any, does God’s designed diversity of male and female gender have on autism and its manifestations in an individual’s life? The answers are fascinating, though far too rarely addressed, and may offer some practical insights as to how we can best minister mercy to guys and gals living with autism.

Dealing with Disability as a Dad – Joe Butler [Family Track] – Being a dad is a big deal. Your children look to you for guidance, support, and protection. But what if your child is born with a disability or becomes disabled later in life? Many dads have a difficult time accepting their child’s disability. Dads often feel unprepared and unable to deal with disability, so instead, they retreat or run from the situation. But like anything else in life, we get out of it what we put in. As dads, the more we get to know our child, the better fathers we will become. This workshop will examine practical ways that dads can learn to accept and embrace our child’s special needs.

Session #4

FRI APR 24

3:15p-4:30p

4 QuickTakes:

• Solo But Not Alone – Becky Davidson [Family Track] – What do you do when the unexpected happens and you find yourself raising your special-needs child alone? Becky Davidson shares her story of becoming a solo parent after the tragic loss of her husband, Jeff Davidson. She shares the wisdom she has learned as a single parent and offers practical tips and encouragement for those parents who find themselves in a similar situation.

• Parental Perceptions of Disability Ministry Inclusion Programs – Rebekah Dyer [Family Track] – Rebekah Dyer will share research she conducted regarding how parents, specifically those who have children with ASD, are impacted by disability ministry programs. Several different models of inclusion will be presented, as well as the positive impacts of providing church-based opportunities for individuals with ASD or other disabilities. Attendees will receive up to date information regarding what they can do to support and minister to families of children with disabilities.

• Isn’t There Supposed to Be “WE” in “TEAM”? – Larry Jamieson [Family Track] – Parents often experience significant challenges working together as an effective team, even under normal circumstances. When faced with a special needs, those challenges may be felt to an even greater degree, and can lead to feelings of isolation, anger and being overwhelmed. But God brought this team together. He must have His reasons, right? In this presentation, we will use Scripture and a whole lot of humor as we examine the differences between women and men, and the many ways God uses those differences to enhance our roles on His parenting team. Participants will leave encouraged with a fresh understanding of God’s love and faithfulness to us, and a renewed vision for the possibilities that await when we embrace each others’ strengths and challenge areas on this adventure of raising children for Him!

• Divinely Designed with God’s Purpose in Mind – Tom Stolle [Family Track] – God has a plan and a purpose for all, including individuals affected by disabilities. Society misses out on one of its greatest blessings when it does not consider how much it can learn about loving and serving from individuals with special needs. There is a depth of pain, a depth of suffering, that can produce a depth of love so powerful that it transforms individuals, families, and communities. That transformation, at its root, takes place one person at a time, but out of this, a powerful movement can form.

Workshops

[TBA] – Brad Hoefs [Ministry Track] –

rEcess: A Holistic Respite Model that Serves the Entire Family – Sarah Harriman & Rebecca Wall [Ministry Track] – Respite is one of the most impactful ways to support and welcome families experiencing disability. At this workshop, you’ll learn 12 steps to start a respite night at your church that serves the entire family.

Dementia: Using the Language of Worship When Words Fade – Barb Newman [Ministry Track] – Discover some important information about dementia as well as multiple practical ideas to use when interacting with someone experiencing dementia. We will explore effective multi-sensory strategies, family support ideas, as well as ideas connected with worship, as you connect with one another during this season of life.

Events for Every Person – Christine Pierce [Ministry Track] – In this session, Christine will take a look at events and programs that churches or ministries already do, and explain how to make these events more inclusive. Participants will also get ideas for new events that can benefit the special needs community within your church and beyond.

Teaching the Served to Serve – Tara Bertic [Ministry Track] – As a parent of a special needs son and the ESE ministry coordinator at a large church, I have the unique perspective of seeing ministry as both a parent and a leader. Having led several youth mission trips to various locations across the country, the most difficult part was always having to leave behind our son with special needs, until one year, we didn’t. Now, my church teaches kids with special needs to learn how to be somebodies who become nobodies to serve anybody. Learn both the ‘how’ and the importance of teaching a community of individuals who are used to being served how to be servants themselves.

Compassion Fatigue & Burnout: Hazards of Disability Ministry – Stephanie Hubach & Lisa Mattheiss [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Burnout and Compassion Fatigue are different experiences, and yet, in disability ministry, they can easily be integrally related. Burnout, which is more of an “occupational hazard” that has to do with high expectations and performance over time, can overlap with compassion fatigue, which has to do with secondary trauma experienced via the intensity of caregiving experiences. In disability ministry, the relentlessness of disability, walking alongside those going through traumatic experiences, serving as agents of congregational transformation in the face of opposition, and navigating chronic sorrow with others can create the perfect storm for burnout and compassion fatigue. This is especially true for people leading disability ministries who are caregivers themselves. Come enter into a discussion on this important topic, and learn how to engage in resilient ministry to and alongside of others.

Winning the Battle Against Caregiver Stress – Jonathan & Sarah McGuire [Family Track] – Hopeless? Helpless? Anxious? Chronically exhausted? If you can answer “yes” to a couple of these, you might be experiencing secondary trauma. Through this workshop you will be able to identify secondary trauma in you and your family member’s lives and be equipped with tools to combat its effects in the midst of life’s challenges.

Session #5

FRI APR 24

7:45p – 9:00p

4 QuickTakes:

• Faster Than a Nano-Second Perceptions: Autism, Social Vision and Communication – Catherine Boyle [Ministry Track/Family Track] – A common feature of Autism Level 1 (Asperger’s) is an atypical response to others in social situations. It is frequently difficult for people on the spectrum to accurately predict or attune to the thoughts, intentions, feelings, and perspective of others. What if part of the reason for this difficulty is also partly due to faster than normal perceptions? Learn how both the perspective of the person with autism as well as his or her visual processing abilities may contribute to the social difficulties of autism.

• ICNU: 4 Most Important Letters in Volunteer Recruitment – Stephen “Doc” Hunsley [Ministry Track] – Volunteer recruitment is always one of the biggest concerns for any ministry leader, no matter what size your ministry is. I will share with you the four most important letters in the alphabet for volunteer recruitment and how they will help you recruit volunteers at over a 90% success rate with longevity!

• Youth Pastors and Inclusion Ministry – Jeremy Smith [Ministry Track] – As a former youth ministry leader with Youth for Christ and currently licensed professional counselor, helping families recover and live life outside of mental illness and substance misuse, I understand the difficulties youth pastors face. In this session, learn to gain a better perspective for your youth ministry so you can see your teenagers with new eyes. When you see that kid in the back of the room not talking to people because he or she is anxious, or out in the church parking lot smoking pot, or causing problems on youth retreats because of ADHD, learn how to love them as you would any other teenager in student ministry.

• Companionship: A Response to Social Isolation and Loneliness – Jermine Alberty [Ministry/Family Track] – Many people feel called to help others but struggle with the how-to when they see someone is in distress or feeling isolated. Learning how be a Companion to someone can assist in our concern for another person who might be experiencing challenges to their well-being. Companionship is rooted in our natural capacities as human beings to be sensitive, compassionate, and concerned for another person. By offering the encouragement of five basic spiritual practices: hospitality, neighboring, journeying side-by-side, listening, and accompaniment. Companionship can be a one-time experience or extend across a period of time but it ends in mutuality, recognizing we are in the community, and each has our circle of ongoing care.

Workshops

Build Relationships, Build Resilience: Supporting Families in Trauma – Michelle Maris [Ministry Track] – Participants will gain knowledge of being trauma informed. Participants will be able to identify and implement strategies to build relationships with families in order to build resilience. Participants will take the Resiliency quiz and identify symptoms of compassion fatigue and learn the importance of self-care.

Coming Alongside Families Navigating Difficult Decisions – Lisa Jamieson [Ministry Track] – Caregivers, special needs parents and people with disabilities experience complex dilemmas related to life, disability and aging. Some decisions they face have difficult moral and ethical implications (e.g., prenatal issues, daily medication management, participation in drug trials and research studies, DNR, guardianship options). Family, friends and pastors don’t need to be theologians to offer meaningful support, but can bring encouragement that is God-honoring and peace-giving. We will explore the opportunities and responsibilities of the Church in showing compassion while fostering a biblical worldview.

Providing Pastoral Care for Special Needs Families – Lamar Hardwick [Ministry Track] – One of the prominent images for pastoral care in the Bible is the image of a shepherd. There is perhaps no greater illustration of this than King David’s 23rd Psalm. In this session drawing from Psalm 23, Dr. Hardwick will provide practical steps to providing spiritual care for families impacted by disability.

Basic Disability & Caregiver Etiquette – PJ Crouch [Ministry Track] – Those new to ministry and interactions with persons with special needs and their families often worry about what to say and do. “Will I hurt their feelings?” “What if I do something wrong?” “What if I say something wrong?” PJ Crouch will walk attendees through basic disability etiquette using several examples from his own experience as a youth and young adult who lives with cerebral palsy. PJ talks through 11 Commandments of interactions with persons with various disabilities, including a discussion of things not to say to caregivers and things that could or should be said instead. This workshop is specifically designed for ministry leaders who are brand new to serving those affected by special needs or disability: Special Needs Ministry Leadership, Children’s Ministry Leadership, Youth Pastors, and Pastoral Staff.

An IMP for Every Church – Amberle Brown & Katie Matthews [Ministry Track] – Disability intersects every community, people group, and geographic location. Yet many churches do not have a plan for how to reach and include people with disabilities in their context. At The Banquet Network, we have developed a tool to help combat this issue. Our IMP (Individualized Ministry Program) is a step-by-step resource that helps churches imagine, design, and implement a unique plan for their church, in their context, to reach and include people with disabilities. Our vision is that every church would have an understanding of how disability contributes to the calling God has given them for their ministry. In this workshop, we will use a case-study approach to demonstrate how to use the IMP tool to assess the strengths and needs of a church, to connect disability to a church’s mission/focus, prioritize possible interventions, and lay out a detailed plan for next steps.

Starting an IndespensABLE Church – Ryan Wolfe [Ministry Track] – The Apostle Paul declared that people who “seem to be weaker” are actually “indispensABLE!” That means the Church cannot do without them. People affected by disability fit that description better than any other people group, if we take to heart that we, the Church, must stop at nothing to make our churches complete. That is why we have created an outside the box ministry formation strategy called IndispensABLE Church. Come find out exactly how you can launch an IndispensABLE Church at your church. We even wrote a step by step manual for you!

Setting Their Desires Free: The Sanctity of Human Life – Steve Biondo [Ministry Track] – This is a workshop that explores at depth the Biblical teaching regarding “Image Bearer” and the implication of this profound attribute. The workshop will also consider the priority of those with special needs throughout Scripture and in the life of Jesus.
This workshop is designed to equip you to teach at a new level of depth on the profound nature and impact of what it means to be an Image Bearer and to teach others about the priority of God’a heart for those with special needs. Also, based on scriptural truth we will delve into the implications, actions, and concepts that may be pursued to serve, protect, and defend some of the most vulnerable among us we mutually share best practices.

Pitfalls & Pathways to Grasping the Gospel: Lessons from a Saint on the Spectrum – Lori Sealy [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Faith is a key ingredient in embracing the gospel, yet the idea of believing in an intangible Entity and the proposition of resting in an unseen Savior can be quite a quandary for many who live with autism. One recent study has show that people with ASD are much less likely to believe in God. Why is that? And how do we help? Lori Sealy has lived with both autism and atheism and will share some of her own journey from doubt to discipleship in hopes of granting you a better understanding of the stumbling blocks and stepping stones that can fall upon the road to redemption for a person living with autism.

Faith and the Special Needs Father – John Felageller [Family Track] – Join writer, speaker and special needs parent John Felageller on the role of faith in the lives of fathers of special needs children, specifically those who are new to Christianity or seeking a relationship with Jesus. Using his own experience as a father who was brought to Christ largely because of his son’s disability, John will highlight the ways God uses the struggles and challenges we face, especially as men and fathers, to strengthen and grow our faith.

Stretching the Apron Strings: Fostering Greater Independence from Parents and Dependence on God – Lee Burtman [Family Track] – What happens when loving, well-meaning parents cross the line of good and nurturing into overindulging their teen or adult children with disabilities or additional needs? Overindulgence takes many forms, such as giving them too many things or privileges, allowing them too much power, or providing too few rules or limits. However, over-nurturing or regularly doing something for the child that he or she can and should do on their own is often the most debilitating form. It deprives a person of the opportunity to learn and perform developmental tasks, achieve their full potential, feel competent and successful, and to live as independently as they are able. In this workshop we will look at examples of overindulgence at several stages of life and its effects, then focus on fostering self-reliance in terms of practical living skills and ultimately, reliance on God . “For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, ‘ Fear not, I am the one who helps you.'”

Session #6

SAT APR 25

9:30a – 10:45a

3 Interviews/QuickTakes:

• Interview with Kelly Rosati

• Interview with Steve Biondo

• Interview with Shannon Royce

Workshops

Inclusion Confusion: Facilitating Communication Between Pastors & Special Needs Ministry Leadership – Lisa Mattheiss & Pastor Wayne Chasteen [Ministry Track] – One of the greatest challenges to growing and maintaining special needs ministry as an integrated part of the local church is the breakdown of communication between pastoral staff and special needs ministry leadership. We frequently hear reports that pastors and leadership spend more time at odds than working as a team. Senior pastor Wayne Chasteen and Special Needs Ministry Coordinator Lisa Mattheiss walk through multiple communication strategies that have made their relationship work effectively. They will discuss ways they define their roles and expectations, ways they build relationships with each other and with the congregation, and ways they learn and grow individually as well as together as a team. In this light-hearted presentation with serious practical application, Wayne and Lisa share real-life stories from their ministry together at Christ First Church over the last three years. While this session was designed for pastoral and special needs ministry leadership, the concepts presented are applicable to any pastoral/leadership relationship.

Engaging Ways to Teach the Gospel to Students with Learning Differences – Beth Golik & Jennifer White [Ministry Track] – Whether you are in an inclusive classroom setting or providing one-on-one buddy support, we all face the same challenge: we have the biblical mandate to share the Gospel with all people, including our students with learning differences. This hands-on workshop will provide practical tools and strategies to make the truth of God accessible to everyone, whether you are using pre-packaged curriculum or creating your own. Participants will be equipped to share key Bible truths in a manner that will engage students with a variety of learning differences including those with visual impairments, non-verbal or limited speech, sensory differences, intellectual disabilities, or common hidden disabilities.

Trauma: Faith-Based Tools in a Secular World – Barb Newman [Ministry Track] – This session will cover some essential information about trauma in relationship to both children and adults, and then the focus will soon turn to equipping attendees with tools often overlooked – practical faith-based tools, practices, and perspectives. Participants will leave with many ideas to use in children and adult settings that are given as gifts from God to His children.

Disability Culture and Why It Matters – Jerry Borton [Ministry Track] – The disability rights movement and the Church have an uneasy relationship. And for good reason. This seminar provides resources for beginning a conversation between believers and the disability community. Through this session you will learn: *A brief history of the disability rights movement * Historical perspectives of society and the church toward people with disabilities * Critiques of the church from the disability rights movement * Some philosophical principles of the disability rights movement and their implications for believers * Resources for beginning a conversation with the disability community

Embracing the Beauty & Brokenness in Adoption & Foster Care – Kim Botto [Ministry Track/Family Track] – The beauty of adoption comes through the breaking of a family. Even after a child is in a safe and secure home, hurt and pain remain. Embracing the whole story better equips us to support families caring for kids who have experienced trauma. While everyone is not called to take kids into their home 24/7 there are many ways for us all to care for the fatherless (James 1:27). Let’s explore practical ideas for the church to support adoptive and foster families, including creating adoptive and foster parent support groups, building teams to support individual families and creating a church that is safe and welcoming for all families, especially those with the most challenging kids.

Building Better Relationships Through Effective Communication Between Parents & Ministry Leaders – Sarah Broady [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Our children should all have a place at church, and both parents and ministry leaders have a responsibility to ensure the inclusion of any child with disabilities in the body of Christ. In order to accomplish this, parents must both prepare our children for Sunday school or youth group, as well as preparing church leaders for our children; ministry leaders must prepare their leaders and do what they can to help prepare families coming into their ministries to be as welcoming as possible. This can be especially difficult for parents who are used to having to fight for services in school and therapy, so how can we adjust our mindset and responses in a church environment with brothers and sisters in Christ? How can ministry leaders better understand families they are serving? This session will focus on how to build better relationships between families and ministry leaders for the glory of God. We will address the commonalities between parents and ministry leaders, steps each side can take to better understand each other, and best communication practices that will encourage grace even while standing firm in the advocacy for the child’s best interests. We will also talk through different strategies parents and ministry leaders can take to address a variety of problems or potential issues with each other. Both parents and ministry leaders will leave encouraged and equipped with ideas to take home with them in order to enable all children to be included in church ministries.

When We All Don’t Live Happily Ever After: Dealing with Those in Your Family That Can’t Deal with Disability – David Glover [Family Track] – With the birth of a child with disabilities, everybody assumes the extended family “circles the wagons” and lovingly supports mom, dad, siblings, and the new little one. This can and does happen in some families, but in others, they don’t all live “happily ever after.” Granddad or grandma (or aunts or uncles, brothers, sisters, etc.) just can’t seem to accept the situation. As time passes and the hurt and pain of broken and strained relationships that we assumed and thought to be so strong, we are left bewildered and disappointed. This workshop will address these situations so common in the world of families with disabilities. Specifically, as parents and siblings, how are we as true Christians are to respond to family members who: pretend the situation doesn’t exist; think they have all the answers; are always eager to tell the family what they should be doing; or in many cases, literally abandon the family altogether?

Special Needs Parent Experience – TyiaLynn Scott [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Join TyiaLynn as she gives a unique view of what it’s like to be a special needs parent. Learn practical tactics for managing your child’s healthcare and realistic ways to rejuvenate yourself so you will be a better caregiver for your child. This class is great for special needs parents or for church leaders to better understand the needs of the families they are serving.

Love All-Ways: Embracing Marriage Together on the Special Needs Journey – Joe & Cindi Ferrini [Family Track] – Joe and Cindi will focus with couples in their marriage on: The marriage vows and their importance (covenant vs. contract); exposing and working out our differences in conflict situations; getting help from family, friends, and professionals; a quick look at finances and how to manage them and find help; Intimacy – What’s missing, notice it, and how to make it better; and finish with a time of Q/A.

Session #7

APR 25

11:00a – 12:15p

4 QuickTakes:

• Common Roadblocks to Recovery for the Christian with Mental Illness – Mitzi VanCleve [Ministry Track] – There needs to be a clear understanding that Mental Illnesses are valid afflictions for which the sufferer needs the support from their local church which does not differ from the type of support offered to anyone else suffering from any other type of illness. Most Pastors/ministers are not equipped to treat mental illness any more than they are equipped to treat heart disease, diabetes, etc. When the Church treats the experience of mental illness as being caused by sin, a lack of faith, a spiritual strongholds etc. this automatically causes a feeling of stigma, shame and blame for the experience of suffering. The consequence of this, is that rather than seeking professional help to manage their disorders the person will try to rid themselves of whatever spiritual flaw/fault the Church has caused them to feel. This puts up a roadblock to a person’s recovery process and often makes matters worse for them.

• Turning Weakness Into Strength: How Disability Can Equip You for a Unique Ministry – Rebecca Jefferson [Ministry Track] – It’s easy to feel that God can’t use you if you have a disability. But he showed me that that was furthest from the truth! I’ve been a street missionary with Open Air Campaigners USA for four years, and God has opened my heart to see not only his love for me, but his love given to all through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having severe ADHD has always been a struggle for me, but over time, God showed me that what I experienced could be used to encourage and empathize with others who suffer with disabilities and their families. God has opened up so many doors for me that I wouldn’t have dared go through if I didn’t have a disability. He is using my weakness to show me his strength and creative, omniscient plan on a daily basis.

• Connecting with Families Through Inclusive Events – Joe Butler [Ministry Track] – Every community across America has individuals and families living with disability. However, community outreach events are seldom geared for families of children and adults with disabilities. Learn how to connect with families in your community by offering accessible and inclusive, family-friendly events. Joe Butler, a dad of a teenager with multiple special needs and an experienced community ministry leader will share some practical tips to connect and build relationships with families who are often overlooked in their communities.

• Whole Community Inclusive Planning and Training – Dawn Skaggs [Ministry Track] – Disasters come in various forms but are a universally shared experience and never a surprise to God. In the face of disaster, many people turn to the church as a source of strength and support. There is an incredible opportunity, and an incredible need, for the Church to demonstrate Christ’s love for all people in the face of disasters. Recent disasters have illuminated a need for the church to come along side public and private agencies to ensure the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in disaster response; and to provide a spirit filled response to the large proportion of individuals needing competent trauma informed mental health care and from pre-existing and disaster initiated mental health needs. Through ongoing contracts, and real-world deployments that focus on inclusion of individuals with disabilities, I provide education and coaching on how: • individual and corporate disaster preparedness can be used to strengthen disability inclusion in other church programs; • churches and other non-profits can use their existing disability programs to build disaster preparedness; • churches can use inclusion and preparedness together to empower individuals with disabilities to new heights of engagement and even leadership within the church; • and how churches can become integrated into a disaster response to ensure the needs of individuals with mental health and other disabilities are considered and addressed. This program will inspire and empower church leadership to envision how their church can be a reflection of the biblical view of disability and empowerment in both times of steady state and in the face of disaster.

Workshops

Including and Supporting Families Serving in Adoption or Foster Care Ministry – Stephen Grcevich, MD, Kelly Rosati JD [Ministry Track] – In this workshop, the presenters will examine common challenges families and churches face in caring for adopted or foster children resulting from disabilities and manifestations of trauma, Identify common support needs for families serving in adoption or foster care ministry and explore ways churches might better care for and include adoptive and foster families raising children with emotional, behavioral or developmental disabilities.

Weekend Buddy Training: Using a Scenario Case Based Approach – Stephen “Doc” Hunsley [Ministry Track] – This workshop is geared towards any volunteer who might work with an individual with special needs from birth through adulthood in a ministry setting. You will learn general considerations for individuals with special needs that will allow you to be successful in working with them. We will also give you a tool box filled with crisis prevention techniques and walk you through several real life scenarios to help you feel confident and prepared to handle any situation that may arise in a special needs setting. You can easily take this back home and train your volunteers as well.

Are You Ready? Loving and Serving Students with Challenging Behavior…Being Prepared and Having a Plan – Tammy Ross [Ministry Track] – Every child needs to know the love of God and the hope they have through Jesus Christ. But what happens when a child with challenging behavior steps into our children’s ministries? This workshop will help you feel more prepared by explaining the four functions of behavior and the progression of behavior. The goal is to provide you with solid tools and strategies to help ensure a successful learning experience for everyone. We will also discuss what to do when a child’s behavior supersedes your best plan.

Marketing for Special Needs Ministry – Jillian Palmiotto [Ministry Track] – You know you have been called to lead a Special Needs/Disability Ministry in your church, but how do you let the people in your community know you exist? Jillian Palmiotto will discuss the importance of branding and marketing your ministry so that families know how and where to find you. She will share ideas on easy ways to control steady growth, how to utilize social media, and how to promote events to welcome special needs families into your church. Learn how to create a marketing plan that will help you spread the gospel!   

Inclusive Youth Ministry: Purpose and Belonging Are Crucial to Spiritual and Mental Health of Teens on the Autism Spectrum – Rev. Stephanie Holmes [Ministry Track] – Many youth groups seek to be high energy and full of sensory experiences that are geared toward neuro-typical (normal) teens but can be very difficult for inclusion for students on the autism spectrum who are desperate to belong or to be part of a community. This presentation would concentrate on the effects in mental and spiritual health on teens on the spectrum who are not included and become isolated. Suicidal ideation and completed suicides are on the rise in special needs and autistic teens and much of it centers around lack of purpose and belonging. The presentation would focus on additional struggles spectrum teens face more than their peers and knowing the signs of depression and dangerous special interests. We will discuss the importance of social skills, community, belonging, and purpose central to all people but how this is lacking for spectrum teens and why the church needs to step up and provide that community and belonging.

The Effects of Stress on Caregivers and What They Can Do About It – Jolene Philo [Family Track] – This workshop examines how continual stress affects the physical and mental health of caregivers, explains why managing caregiving stress is crucial, and offers simple strategies from caregiving parents who have learned to manage and lower their stress levels. The workshop is based on survey feedback from over 1,400 caregiving parents and interviews with many of the family members who completed the survey.

You’re More Than a Parent… – John Felageller & Sarah Broady [Family Track] – In this session, Sarah and John will explore all of the ways in which special needs parents have been compromised in their capacities as an advocate for their child because they were reduced to the role of “just a parent.” Looking at experiences with doctors, therapists and education professionals, they will give instances of challenging times in their own lives and provide tools in which to heal those memories.

Session #8

APR 25

1:45p – 3:00p

QuickTakes:

• Including Autistic Individuals in Bible Study & Worship – Matthew Schneider [Ministry Track] – As an autistic Catholic priest and one of the most publicly visible autistic pastors of any denomination online, I get asked a lot about how we as Christians can better serve our autistic population. I think that most churches can help us by providing a few small adaptations both for smaller small group or class activities like Bible study or catechism, and larger activities like communal worship. I hope to provide a few pointers regarding things like sensory issues, autistic overly-logical thinking patterns, etc. to help integrate others like me into church life. I have experienced both good and bad from both the side of being autistic – although undiagnosed till my 30s – and working in ministry.

• The Power of Engagement – Jennifer Hollenberger [Ministry Track] – Engagement is a buzz word in churches across America and engagement matters. But what does this look like? Is engagement how well churches reach new people in their communities or is it how many people in the congregation are active within church walls? This quick, 15 minute talk, will provide a new definition to engagement and will encourage and provide practical guides for church leaders to promote their spaces as welcoming and safe environments for families and individuals touched by disability.

• Come to the Table: Loving Lessons from the Life of Mephibosheth – Bergina Isbell [Ministry Track] – The mother of children with special needs as well as a Board-Certified Psychiatrist, Dr. Bergina Isbell has searched for answers to the questions that both she and her patients have struggled with in having and/or caring for a loved with with special needs. She shares wisdom gleaned from her personal study of the life of Mephibosheth. If you or a loved one are touched by a special medical need, you will find answers your questions bringing you peace and joy on your journey.

• Hope Infusion – Brad Hoefs [Ministry Track/Family Track] – Need an infusion of hope?  Does someone you know need hope? Pastor Brad Hoefs will not only infuse you with hope, but he’ll show you how to infuse others with hope. Drawing from over 25 years of clinical research on hope and how it works, Pastor Brad will teach you the basics of making hope happen, with practical application to every situation in life wherever and whenever hopelessness shows up.

Workshops

Godly Responses to a Mental Health Crisis: Principles for Pastors, Parents and Friends – Catherine Boyle [Ministry Track] – A mental health crisis presents many opportunities for care and support, but your response depends on your relationship to the person in crisis. Learn principles for response specific to each group: ministry leaders, parents, and friends.

Yes, You Can Go to Camp Too! – Laura Lee Wright & Linda Hampton Starnes [Ministry Track] – Attending camp is part of the American experience. Yet persons with varying abilities often don’t have the opportunity to experience the fullness of a camping experience. Whether one chooses to attend a weekend church retreat or spend a week far from home, camping has positive outcomes for anyone choosing to this memorable and impactful experience. This interactive session provides evidence-based research, practical strategies, current resources, and encouraging insights on the many benefits of camp – from skill-building to steps toward greater in(ter)dependence. Our session is open to church workers, volunteers, parents and advocates … and anyone who has happy memories of camp and s’mores!

The Shepherd’s Well: A Refreshing Oasis for Special Needs Moms – Jane Cawley, Sarah Cawley & Shawnda Boysel [Ministry Track] – In a time when we are blessed with many resources to provide and advocate for special needs children, little is found to strengthen and refresh the Moms of these precious children. Special needs parenting is fraught with loneliness, exhaustion, and fatigue. Many Mothers do not have access to community, refreshment, and rest. The Shepherd’s Well provides Living Water to nourish each Mom-—mind, body, and spirit. Join us as we share the history, mission, and vision of The Shepherd’s Well and hand you the tools to Dig a Well in your community. 

30 Ways to Include the Person with Severe Language Delays – Evana Sandusky [Ministry Track] – It may seem like a daunting task to help a person with severe language delays understand God and participate in class, but we can make small changes to make a big impact. This session will give you 30 ideas and tips on how you can help children and adults with severe language delays in your ministry. Whether it is in prayer, worship, the lesson, or fun activities, there are ways to include those with limited or no speech. Evana will share information based upon her knowledge as a speech-language pathologist and the mom of a child with limited verbal speech.

The Third Wheel: Embracing Disability in Marriage – Joan & Jerry Borton [Family Track] – Disability affects everything and everyone it touches. Nowhere is this truer than in marriage. This workshop introduces the dynamics disability has on the marriage relationship. Joan uses personal experience from her 24-year marriage and insights gleaned from forty years of interactions with families affected by disability to apply Biblical marriage principles. Resources are provided for both the family and the Church to strengthen marriage relationships.

Empowering Your Child with Autism and Learning Challenges to Thrive – Ron Sandison [Family Track] – Parents will learn practical ways to empower children with autism to develop their gifts, handle sensory issues, decode behavior issues, and learn self-efficacy. Sandison gives insight for creating a hope complex, activities to encourage socializing, enhance decision-making ability, learn new skills and broaden interests. Ron shares his own journey with autism and the wisdom he gained from his mom and the thirty plus autism professionals he interviewed while writing his third book Autism Express: Parenting Adventures of Faith, Hope & Love which Kregel Publications, a national publisher is publishing in 2020.

Parenting Intentionally for Independence – Lisa Mattheiss [Family Track] – Most medical and educational activities are considered one year at a time. An IEP meeting is held annually. Doctor’s appointments are made in small increments: a week, a month, 3 months, 6 months, a year. It is easy for families and professionals to get in the habit of only thinking a year ahead, and yet decisions need to be made in a child’s formative years to build the foundation for their transition to adult life. Parent Lisa Mattheiss tells the story of Emily, who was born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus and more than two dozen other diagnoses. She shares the very intentional choices that she and her husband Jeff made early in Emily’s first several years of life as they prepared Emily for independently reaching her potential in every way: medically, educationally, financially, physically, emotionally, cognitively, and spiritually. Lisa speaks of long term planning in the areas of safety, environmental accessibility, communication, technology, time management, and their community involvement and shares their decisions as well as the thought processes behind the decisions. Now that Emily is 20 years old, Lisa also shares what they did well, and what they wish they would have done differently. Parents leave with practical ideas they can utilize at any stage from early intervention through high school. Professionals, educators and ministry leaders leave with an increased understanding of the many decisions faced by families in the course of raising a child with special needs and ideas for practically supporting parents through the journey.