Church Support

Churches That Encourage Adoption Should Be Trauma Informed and Disability Accommodating

Churches That Encourage Adoption Should Be Trauma Informed and Disability Accommodating

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.

Three Ways for the Church to Support Families with Down Syndrome

Three Ways for the Church to Support Families with Down Syndrome

March 21st is World Down Syndrome Day (WDSD), a global awareness day for those with an extra 21st chromosome. Based upon my experiences of a now 16-year old, I would like to offer three ways that churches can better support families like mine, no matter the age of the person with Down syndrome.

Obtaining the Favor of the Lord

Obtaining the Favor of the Lord

How do we obtain the Lord’s favor? Or earn our stamp of approval from the Almighty? We want it, right? Our gold star? I thought about people from the Bible, people with personal lives of pain, hardship and calls to obey difficult circumstances. What was it about them that led to God’s favor?

Learning to Sit at the Feet of Jesus

Learning to Sit at the Feet of Jesus

I have spent my entire life as a servant. My entire life I’ve been a caregiver. But in recent years, with moment after moment of near mental breakdown, I’ve realized something: I have grown tired because I have spent my entire life running from just ‘being still.’

Finding Hope When Caregiving Stress Leads to Faith and Mental Health Struggles

Finding Hope When Caregiving Stress Leads to Faith and Mental Health Struggles

When I learned my daughter would be born with a more severe genetic disorder than my son’s, the news devastated me. After her birth, I began to experience debilitating symptoms of PTSD. Months later, I made what should have been a lethal suicide attempt. My case was extreme, but is it that uncommon for caregivers to experience clinical mental health conditions?

Don't Be Afraid To Start Something New: How Our Church Started A Special Needs Ministry

Don't Be Afraid To Start Something New: How Our Church Started A Special Needs Ministry

When our church, The Roads Church, located in Southern Illinois, decided to start a special needs ministry a few years ago, we were embarking into unfamiliar territory. Here’s the process we followed that may work for your church, too.

Together Again - A Call for Speakers - #IFL2022

Together Again - A Call for Speakers - #IFL2022

I’m honored to invite pastors, ministry leaders, volunteers and all individuals interested in ministry with children, adults and families impacted by disability to join us in Cleveland on April 29-30, 2022 for #IFL2022 , our fourth national disability ministry conference, hosted by Key Ministry in collaboration with the Tim Tebow Foundation.