Join Sandra Peoples to learn how to support families of preschool-aged children showing early signs of disabilities in your church ministry. Discover practical steps for fostering empathy, offering hope, and creating an inclusive environment for every child. And,...
We’re celebrating the release of Sandra’s new book, Accessible Church! In this episode she shares behind the scenes details, comments she’s gotten about the book, and resources that will enhance your reading experience. Listen Anywhere You Find Podcasts! If you...
Each year, Disability and the Church serves as a powerful reminder of why we do what we do—building inclusive, Gospel-centered communities where individuals with disabilities and their families are not just welcomed but truly belong. In episode 145 of the Key Ministry...
Sandra Peoples shares how ministry leaders can use ChatGPT to know how to welcome kids with disabilities, train volunteers, make modifications, and support behavior challenges. Could it be your ministry accessibility advisor? Sandra says yes and teaches you how to get...
Sandra Peoples interviews Pastor Jim Roden, and they talk about the characteristics of accessible churches that help make them healthy churches. You'll be surprised by the last three! Jim Roden's talk from Disability and the Church 2023 Journey Church (Jim Roden is...
It’s February, and we’ve all somewhat settled into 2025 and are ready to look ahead to what the year will bring. To help you prepare for your church’s steps of accessibility and inclusive events, we’ve created a Ministry Planning Calendar! In this episode,...
Sandra Peoples shares praise reports from churches across the country as we celebrate what God is doing through accessible churches. She also shares the biggest challenges churches say they are facing in the new year and lists resources to help with each challenge. If...
Sandra Peoples grew up with a sister with Down syndrome and now has a teenager with level 3 autism, so she knows how different the holidays can feel for a family like hers. But they don't have to feel different at church! With a few steps of consideration, she shares...
Sandra Peoples interviews Lexi Melia on her experiences as a disability ministry intern, and they share advice for ministry leaders who are looking for an intern for next summer!If you like this, then you may like… 124: Strategies for Small and Normative Sized...
In today’s episode, Sandra Peoples talks about the challenges small to normative-sized churches face in disability ministry and shares how the churches she’s been a part of have overcome these challenges. If you like this, then you may like… 067: Planning for Safety...
Sandra Peoples was recently asked what qualifications she has to fulfill her ministry role. Maybe it’s a question you’ve asked yourself! What qualifications and characteristics do you need to advocate for families and help your church be more accessible? If you’re called to do disability ministry but don’t always feel qualified, this episode is for you
Sandra Peoples interviews Jason Epps and Paul Pettit about their book, One Body, One Spirit: Disability & Community in the Church. Hear about their friendship and how Jason’s challenges with church accessibility led to them writing this book together.
Parents go through five phases as they raise their children with disabilities. It’s helpful for ministry leaders to understand these phases so we know better how to support families in these different seasons. In this episode, Sandra Peoples shares characteristics of the phases, the needs parents have in each one, and how the church can support them along the way.
Sandra Peoples talks with Julie Hernandez, the Disability Ministry Director at her. They discuss the good and the challenging parts of their summer activities in Disability Ministry.
One of the biggest challenges in inclusive ministry is meeting the needs of diverse learners. Today on the podcast, Sandra interviews Cortney Jenkins from Awe & Wonder and Laura Deeken from The Adapted Word about easy ways to make our lessons more accessible and about the resources they provide to help support every student in your ministry.
Will all aspects of disability be erased in heaven? Sandra Peoples looks at applicable biblical passages and shares her thoughts in this episode!
In our 100th episode, Sandra Peoples shares three ways to increase ministry visibility on your church website. Most disability families are going to visit your church website before they visit your actual church. Does your website communicate everything they need to know for a smooth visit?
Beth Golik and Sandra Peoples give a Disability & the Church 2024 Conference Recap that happened this past week in Orlando, FL.
In today’s episode, Sandra chats with Tracy McElhattan, PhD about how to apply universal design for learning principles to our children’s ministry classes so everyone is included and engaged!
In episode 091 of Key Ministry the Podcast, Sandra shares an idea for organizing care for disability families in your church and how the parable of the Good Samaritan provides guiding principles for how and why we provide that care.
In this week’s episode of Key Ministry The Podcast, Sandra Peoples discusses hidden disabilities, and how we, as The Church, can better support these students with invisible disabilities.
Let’s kick off the new year by setting some goals for our churches! In this episode, Sandra Peoples shares 24 goals for you to consider. You can reach more in 2024 with these ideas for strengthening and growing your ministry!
Reverse inclusion is a class designed for teens and young adults with disabilities that invites typical teenagers and young adults in for the purpose of friendship. It’s for teens like my son James who wouldn’t enjoy being part of our youth group. That environment isn’t safe for him and the curriculum doesn’t fit his needs. So instead we’ve created a class that is a good fit for him and our other teenagers! Listen to this podcast to hear about our strategies to make reverse inclusion work for you and your church!
In this week’s podcast, Sandra Peoples’ shares four suggestions for how to make sure caregiving families are included in a church home group or community group model!
Fall is a great time to read a good book! In this episode, Sandra shares 10 books for disability ministry leaders in the areas of family care, theology of disability, and ways to strengthen your inclusion practices!
As ministry leaders, we are responsible for a team of volunteers. There are four steps we can take to help them feel successful in their role. In this episode, Sandra will share those four steps so we can support our volunteers and help them feel equipped and empowered in their ministry callings.
August is the perfect time to start thinking about events you want to add to your calendar in the fall and winter. In this episode, Sandra will share 5 purposes of outreach events, 9 questions to ask as you plan, and 8 outreach ideas to consider!
You’ve recruited (and maybe even begged) and still can’t get enough buddies to meet the needs of kids and teens at your church. What can you do next? Sandra Peoples has four ideas that work for churches of any size!
In this episode, Sandra Peoples will walk you through the process her church uses for creating Individualized Spiritual Plans for their students! It helps keep everyone focused on the main goal for the students when they are with us at church—the gospel!
Sandra Peoples shares 8 steps to take so you’ll be ready to welcome and support kids with disabilities at VBS this summer.
Sandra shares devotional thoughts about an often-overlooked action Jesus took during the last week of his earthly life. As we celebrate Easter, let’s follow his radical example of inclusion for people with disabilities.
Today’s episode is a message of encouragement for those of you in children’s ministry who want to be more proactive about including kids with disabilities, including mental health and behavioral diagnosis. In your school district, it’s likely that 20% of the students are receiving IEP or 504 accommodations to make learning easier for them. The message we share, the gospel, is important enough to be willing to make some accommodations for too in our ministries! So let’s talk about why and how you can make your ministry more accessible!
In this episode, Sandra Peoples is joined by Chris Hulshof. Together they discuss the importance of churches that are both acceptable and accessible to those with disabilities.
Are you ready to set some goals for your ministry in 2023? In this episode, Sandra Peoples will talk about the purpose behind our goals and share four ideas for goals you might want to plan for! And stick around until the end for a pep talk about success and failure in ministry.
Podcast co-host Sandra Peoples grew up with a sister with Down syndrome and now has a teenager with level 3 autism, so she knows how different the holidays can feel for a family like hers. But they don’t have to feel different at church! With a few steps of consideration, she shares how families can feel included and valued. Let’s make sure special-needs families can hear the message of hope this Christmas!
Many families are grieving the loss of a loved one this holiday season. Our co-host Sandra is facing that in her own family after the loss of her sister this year. So she offers six ways churches can come alongside these grieving families to offer love and support.
In this episode, Sandra interviews Stephanie Hubach to discuss how churches can support all the members of a special-needs family. What challenges do they face, and how can the church provide hope and help for these families?
In this episode, Sandra Peoples shares how the disability ministry at her church is transitioning from being led by a volunteer to having a part-time staff position. As the disability ministry leader at your church, you can learn how to communicate your limits so you can maintain healthy boundaries.
The days after parents hear that their child has a disability or special need can be difficult days. When families receive a diagnosis, most parents go through a mourning process. During this season, parents need an anchor to help steady them. Their church should be that anchor.
In this episode, Sandra Peoples shares the vision of the Southern Baptists Convention of Texas’s Special Needs Ministry Sunday! It’s a look at how it started and the prayer she has for the future. Listen to get ideas for your own disability ministry celebration or how to work within your convention to get more attention for the importance of inclusion.
In today’s episode, Sandra Peoples shares 5 ways churches can support special needs families this summer! The summer months can be stressful for families who thrive on routine and may feel like they are missing out on the fun other families are having, but our churches can support and encourage them so they know how much they are loved and seen.
In the final part of this 3-part series, Sandra Peoples shares age group-specific strategies for churches to welcome, include, and create a place of belonging for adoptive children and teens with disabilities and traumatic backgrounds.
How do we make a church culture shift that leads to everyone being on board for the inclusion of people with disabilities and the modifications we can make so they feel welcome? In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, we’ll talk through the shift King David made in the book of 2nd Samuel, from banning people with disabilities from entering the city to welcoming Mephibosheth at his table. David took three steps we can learn from today: realization, restoration, and invitation.
God’s directive for adoptive families is the same as it is for every family. But adoptive, special-needs families experience extra challenges to meet this calling. In part 2 of this 3-part series, Sandra Peoples shares practical tips for churches to provide places of inclusion and belonging for families.
Churches rightly encourage adoption and support families going through the adoption process, but are they prepared when the child or teen comes home and is diagnosed with special needs or trauma-related issues? Sandra Peoples shares three-part series on a theology of disability that can serve as a motivation for churches to meet the needs of these families.
Our need for sleep is proof of our humanity and dependence on God (who never sleeps), but sometimes we struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or even go to bed because someone else can’t sleep. In this post, Sandra shares solutions that work for her and her family in seasons of sleeplessness!
As we reflect on our love for each other and God’s love for us this February, here are five verses and prayers to lift up over you and your husband or wife! "Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of...
Sandra Peoples shares the one word she’s focusing on in 2022, “I am excited to see what God will do in our lives in 2022 because I know everything that will happen has first passed through His loving, sovereign hand. I can face the future with joy, asking Him to reveal what He wants me to know and see.”
Christmas break can feel like a hurricane of activity and stress. I don’t want to break this Christmas season, so I will remember the palm tree and be flexible when the hurricane is gusting around me.
God redeems the days, months, or even years you may feel were wasted. Like Jesus multiplied the loaves of bread and fish to feed thousands, God will accomplish His goals even with our meager offering.
Jesus reminded the disciples to meet their physical needs and then sent them out on mission. And He will do the same for you as He leads you to restoration after you have suffered.
Social media can trick me into thinking God is answering everyone’s prayers but my own, but the story of Jairus’s daughter from Mark 5 shows me how to have faith even as I wait.
The buddies in our church make the gospel accessible and help our students participate in class with their peers. Like Moses and Aaron, we all need a little help to live out the Christian life and fulfill the calling God has given us! Here’s how to recruit, train, and support buddies in your ministries!
God knows more than He reveals about His plans for our lives, but what He does reveal is enough to give us strength for today and hope for tomorrow. So we remember and tell all He has done!
We’re all reemerging at different speeds from a season of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic. But instead of feeling freedom and optimism, many of us are facing new challenges. One of those challenges is being overwhelmed by having choices again and then feeling judged for the choices we’ll be making for our families. Let’s talk about how to be confident in the decisions we will make by battling against two big enemies when it comes to decision making: fear and guilt.
There are big changes coming to churches that will affect special needs families. There are also opportunities that I’m excited about! Let’s talk through those so we can better understand what’s happening in our churches and how our calling as missionaries to other caregivers has never been more important!
So today I want to offer a solution—setting a feeling-based goal for our marriages. Instead of the goals you may have set at the beginning of the year that were easy to track and see success or failure, this one is about changing the mood of your marriage.
Special-needs parents can be overwhelmed by fear, and like the disciples in Mark 4, believe that Jesus is missing what feels to us like a huge storm! At that time they asked, “Teacher, do you not care?” and the answer is the same now as it was then.
As I look at my life as a caregiver, I can see the temptation I have toward sinning in four specific ways. And even though it’s much easier not to talk about the uncomfortable topic of sin, Scripture says we can confess our sins to each other (James 5:16). So today I’m confessing to you some of the sins I struggle with in hopes that it will encourage you to look at your own life and see if these patterns are evident in you as well.
Sandra offers prayers for those facing challenges this summer. As you read them, know that we truly are praying these over you and your family. You aren’t alone!
As teachers and leaders, we get to encourage the spiritual development of the students in our churches. But what should we expect from the children in our special-needs classes? Sandra Peoples shares how to write ISPs for each child in your special-needs ministry—Individualized Spiritual Plans that will help you set goals and measure progress!
When our children have meltdowns that include aggression or self-injurious behavior, the stress our bodies experience is real. We need to recognize that and have a plan to help ourselves to recover.
As our churches make plans for reopening following the guidelines suggested, the plans we make for the families we serve may be different. Our families may be the last ones to come back. And when they are ready, we need to have a plan in place to answer their first question: will my child be safe?
As caregivers, self care isn’t optional. We have to take care of ourselves so we can care for those who depend on us! Especially during the COVID 19 pandemic.
In times of high stress, we are reminded of what’s most important—relying on God and others.
In the last decade, since my son’s autism diagnosis, my prayer life has changed. After so many nights of asking for sleep and not getting it, after praying for help and not getting it, I find myself only asking for safe requests. I don’t want to demand what He isn’t willing to give. I don’t want to be disappointed. My prayers have gotten so safe, I wonder if they are even worth praying. Then God led me to a passage that reminded me He cares what’s truly on my heart and mind.
The most important gift you can give your kids at the end of this year is to show them God is still at work. Sit down with them and talk about all God has done in your lives in 2019. “Remember and tell” over and over again.
I know the blessings of being a special-needs siblings, but I also know the challenges. That’s why I’m sharing this list of of seven phrases every special-needs siblings needs to hear.
Each stage of being a special-needs sibling has its challenges and blessings. But you can help your typical children focus more on the blessings when you patiently guide them through each one of these stages.
I can’t be certain what James understands about God, but I can be certain about what God understands about James. And I will trust in God’s love and care for my son from now until eternity.
In order to communicate with care and compassion, ministry leaders need to understand the five phases of special-needs parenting. In the video below, I give an overview of the phases, share what families need from their church in each phase, and give communication tips that are effective no matter what phase parents are in.
This idea of rewards and punishments isn’t the gospel—it’s the prosperity gospel. And as a special-needs parent, I have found myself especially vulnerable to its influence in my life.
How many children with disabilities should your church be serving? It’s a good question, and there are a few factors that go into determining what the number could be.
Since James’s autism diagnosis in 2010, I’ve been asked lots of questions about the cause of his autism, his behaviors, and his future. But these five are the most surprising.
Thursday, March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (celebrated then because people with Down syndrome have a 3rd copy of their 21st chromosome, Trisomy 21). I hope the voices of those of us who know and love people with Down syndrome will speak loud and clear about the blessings they bring to our lives, not because of what they can or can’t do, but simply because of who they are—created in the image of God.
Many churches are moving away from the traditional Sunday school model and using home groups. But this way of “doing life together” can leave special-needs families isolated and alone.
We’re excited to share with you a new branch of the Key Ministry for Families blog—Not Alone Special Needs Parenting on the Patheos platform.
If you attend a church that doesn’t have a special-needs ministry, here are steps you can take to encourage your church family to step up.
You spend a lot of time planning great inclusion activities and outreaches especially focused to bless families with special-needs in your area. So how do you spread the word so families know they are welcome? Here are five ideas to get you started!
It’s time to develop a full ministry with and for people with disabilities at our new church. Here are the first steps we’re taking.
This Christmas, don’t let stress take over. Remember the three ways to have a Mary Christmas—trust in His plan, turn the focus to Him, and treasure the memories.
There will be times in the coming weeks you’ll disappoint people, your children will disappoint people. But your goal isn’t to meet everyone’s expectations. It’s to do what’s best for your child and your family. It’s to point others to the perfect Savior who will never disappoint them.
You don’t have to suffer alone! We all deal with stress and sadness. But how we deal with it can keep it from taking over our lives.
Looking back at what God has done, seeing your circumstances from His perspective, and sharing your story with others who will encourage you are the secret to contentment, no matter what you’re going through right now.
If he got away from us, if he eloped and our city rallied to help us find him, he could be two feet from a rescuer and not know how to answer the question, “James, where are you?”
If you’re thinking about disability ministry beyond children’s ministry, you’ll find resources, ideas, and success stories here!
As special-needs parents, most of us have been through tough situations made worse by the absence of friends. When we hear of people suffering, we need to be the first to show up.
In Iceland, Down syndrome has almost disappeared, but have people with disabilities also disappeared from our churches?
Instead of trying to avoid disabilities, thank God for the blessings you have today, and ask Him to prepare your heart for whatever challenges may come in your future.
Sign up to join us for 31 Days of Prayer for Special-Needs Families through the month of August
In The Life We Never Expected by Andrew and Rachel Wilson, Rachel shares a special-needs version of the beatitudes.
Two years ago we moved across the country to plant a special-needs welcoming church. Next month we’re officially closing. It certainly didn’t go as we hoped, but maybe it’s a good thing.
Announcing our new partnership with Joni and Friends to help even more families find churches that will welcome them.
All ministry leaders are susceptible to burn out. Here’s what we can do to recognize the signs, recover if we’re suffering, and prevent it from happening in the future.
Reading is my favorite hobby, especially during the summer months. Here are a few recent releases that special-needs moms would especially like!
Honoring our friend, Jeff Davidson.
Summer time is full of new opportunities for fun and adventure, but it can also be filled with anxiety for our kids who prefer the comfort of routines. There are steps we can take as parents to help our kids decrease their anxiety levels and enjoy the fun of summer!
How could a church start reaching special-needs families if they realize they have been either ignoring or repelling them? Reflections on #disabilityinchurch
This Easter weekend, look at your scars with new eyes.
At Accessibility Summit in March my husband Lee and I spoke on outreach events for families with disabilities. During the Q & A time we talked about activities specifically for teens/adults with disabilities (including those living in group homes). Here are some ideas we came up with after the discussion and as we’ve been talking about it in the weeks since then:
The number of boys diagnosed with autism is much higher than the number of girls. Julia, Sesame Street’s new character with autism, may help parents see signs of autism in their daughters at an earlier age.
But our younger son James is considered non-verbal, using about 100 words appropriately. We can’t communicate in the ways most moms and sons communicate, but we have our own special methods.
Your church website is the new front door to your church, and if special-needs families can’t find the information they need on the website, they may never make it in your church building.
No matter how big or small your budget is, you can make your Sunday school classrooms more sensory friendly just by adding a few of the fun and useful items listed below!
Sandra interviews Tiffanny and Dara from Victory Lane Camp about how they serve families with special needs.
I’m thankful the scary divorce stats we hear aren’t true when it comes to parents of kids with disabilities, but churches have a major role to play in helping these couples be as healthy as possible. Where can your church start to serve them?
Shadow siblings don’t have to feel like they don’t matter in our churches. They can know they are loved, appreciated, and cared for, when we take steps to love them with the love we have been given in Christ.
Looking at the top four excuses we hear for not doing special-needs ministry and sharing why we don’t think they are good enough reasons to exclude families like mine.
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about the summer activities your churches offers for kids and how you can include more children with disabilities this year.
I wanted our autism diagnosis to turn out to be a miracle case. But instead, God changed my definition of miracle.
At Key Ministry, we pray not only for the sanctity of life for the baby in the womb, but the sanctity of all lives, because all lives matter to God.
Special-needs moms may have lots of resolutions, but like Jesus gently reminded Martha, only one thing is necessary.
Each year more churches are realizing the need to reach and support families impacted by special-needs. If that’s your church, you may wonder what steps to take next. Here are five goals you can set for your special-needs ministry in the new year.
If today feels just like every other day, look and see. Wonder and be astounded. And like Habakkuk, rejoice and take joy.
Our kids are different. We can either see that as a hindrance to them, or we can look at this story of John the Baptist as our example. God used John’s differences to make a difference in the world.
If we could sit down with our pastors and tell them what’s on our hearts, it would include phrases like these: We are lonely. We wish we could do more. We know you can’t control every church members’ reactions to our family, but you do set the example. How you talk about disabilities from the pulpit makes an impact on us. The challenges we face as our children grow up change and evolve.
There’s really just two things I want from the church we attend: I want them to keep James safe and I want them to love him.
I’ve noticed that the churches who have the strongest special-needs ministry programs have at least five qualities in common.
Self-care is a phrase that gets tossed around often, but for special-needs parents, self-care is not optional. If we don’t care for ourselves, we can’t properly care for the children God has given us.
We know pastors are busy and don’t see every need in the church, so we’ve come up with four signs your church may need a special-needs ministry (and we have resources to help).
Sandra and J.D. chat about support groups specifically for special-needs dads.
Sandra interviews Rev Dr. Lorna Bradley whose passion is helping churches offer support groups for special-needs parents.
Sandra Peoples interviews Rev. Larry and Carolyn Campbell, missionaries to people with disabilities
and pastors of Friend 2 Friend Chapels for people with disabilities.
Kicking off our series of interviews with special-needs ministry leaders with Lana Smith of Hunters Glen Baptist Church in Plano, TX.
We talk a lot about how churches can bless special-needs families. But have you thought about all the ways special-needs families bless the churches they attend? Sandra shares four big ways.
You can follow Jesus’ example. Look around and see your fellow special-needs parents. Have compassion on them. Pray to the Lord of the harvest to use you.
Finding a new church as a special-needs family isn’t always easy, but with patience from your family and the desire to find a place that really feels like home, the search will be worth it!
Doing special-needs ministry doesn’t have to be scary! Families like mine need the hope of the gospel. You can share the love of Christ as your church lives out the mission of Christ!
Being Syble’s sister has brought more blessings than I can count. She has made me the person I am and I’m thankful. I pray David can look back and say the same about growing up with James.
The days after parents hear their child has a disability or special need can be difficult days. They need an anchor to help steady them. Their church should be that anchor.
We need faith. Faith that His purpose and will for our lives and the lives of our children will be fulfilled. Faith that when doctors, therapist, teachers, and even friends and family members fail us, He never will.
We see special-needs families as an unreached people group we plan to target. And like missionaries, we are taking the “go and engage” approach instead of just “come and see.”
As we move through summer time, I’ve been whispering lots of prayers for our family and for your family too. Hope you can find strength in them today!
Special-needs ministry doesn’t only take place in a classroom on Sunday morning. It happens in the parking lot, in the hallway, during the service, and even during the week.
Churches don’t love and serve people who can best serve them back. They love and serve people (period).
So in response to the question “What did you do to make him like that?” my answer is, “His life is a testimony of the power of God. He glorifies God. In his autism. In his struggles. In his flaps and screeches. In his triumphs and successes.
Special-needs parents experience unique grief. Instead of moving through the regular stages and finding resolution, we can be struck with grief at any moment. We go through the cycles again and again.
The days after parents hear their child has a disability or special need can be difficult days. Most parents go through a mourning process. The expectations and dreams they may have had for their child die and new ones must take root. What they all have in common is the need for an anchor to help steady them.