Elaina sits down and shares a few of the many reasons we have to celebrate here at Key Ministry this year. We are so grateful for all that the Lord has done in and through our ministry in 2024, and we can’t wait to see what he does in 2025!
I wonder when did being sensitive get a bad reputation and why does being sensitive tend to make others uncomfortable? After all, Jesus showed us how to use gifts like sensitivity, empathy and compassion for the Kingdom of God.
As 2024 comes to a close, we look back at some of the most impactful events and relationships we were part of this past year, highlight new resources we helped create over the past twelve months and look ahead to opportunities for advancing the Gospel in 2025 through supporting local churches in their ministry with the disability and mental health communities.
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!
Every child is wonderfully unique, created by God with love and intention. For kids who experience and process the world differently, hearing affirmations rooted in God’s truth can be a powerful reminder of their worth and purpose.
The opportunity to apply to speak is open to any and all mature Christians with important or innovative thoughts or ideas to help grow or advance the disability ministry movement. We encourage leaders doing important work in relative obscurity lacking the connections or platforms to make their work better known throughout the church to apply.
Is there a specific situation or environment or activity that is stressful to one particular child in your ministry area, but is not a challenge to others? Social stories are not a new concept for students on the autism spectrum. But, perhaps you’ve never considered using them in the church setting. In this week’s episode, Beth shares examples of a few social stories to add to your toolbox.
As a research psychologist, guest blogger, Robert Crosby, has been studying children’s ministry for about ten years. In nearly every church, there are hurting kids struggling with feelings of worthlessness and rejection. To reach these kids, we must be intentional. We must use every tool and opportunity available—especially unstructured playtime—to show these kids how much they matter to God and to us.
On behalf of our entire Key Ministry team, it’s my privilege to welcome you to join us for Disability and the Church, the largest live in-person disability ministry conference in North America. This year’s conference is being hosted at Bay Presbyterian Church on April 28th and 29th, 2023, with pre-conference intensives offered on April 27th. Disability and the Church is presented by Key Ministry with the support of the Tim Tebow Foundation.
LifeWay Research released the results of an updated study exploring U.S. Protestant pastors’ experiences with mental illness and the support their churches offer to affected individuals and families.
Much of our focus this fall has been on development of new strategies for advancing disability ministry in an environment where established church leaders are struggling to maintain their existing ministries with more demands, fewer volunteers and less money. I’ll share some of those ideas in my next post. Here’s what we’ve been able to accomplish thus far in 2021.
