Hidden Disabilities

From the Pit of Fear and Darkness to Love and Light

From the Pit of Fear and Darkness to Love and Light

Guest blogger John Patrick shares his story of anxiety, depression and agoraphobia, and how God’s Word led him to freedom and restoration.

Seven ways to support kids with anxiety about the coronavirus

Seven ways to support kids with anxiety about the coronavirus

What can parents do to promote the mental health of their kids amidst talk of the coronavirus in the weeks and months ahead? Here are seven ideas..,

Evidence That God Is Still At Work

Evidence That God Is Still At Work

Serving in ministry can be tough. Wondering whether you’re making a difference or not is natural. Having questions for God about His active role in a world that seems to be retreating from the church and religion means your faith is healthy, and that you care about people. The key to staying encouraged is to know where to look for evidence that Christ working.

Special Needs In Real Life

Special Needs In Real Life

One of the reasons why Illuminate - Inclusion Fusion Live 2020 is the largest disability ministry conference in the United States is because it addresses real life with special needs. But our desire is that this conference will address questions that maybe you haven’t been able to ask anywhere else.

Five Practical Ways Churches Can Support Special Needs Families

Five Practical Ways Churches Can Support Special Needs Families

There has never been a day I grieved my children. Still, deep in my heart, there is this grief. Please hear me when I say my children are a joy. They are the reason I have found my calling. But today, I want you to learn from my experience what the parents of special needs children may be feeling in your church, and how you can help.

An Invitation to Influence

An Invitation to Influence

When we see the presence of a disability in the New Testament, we are exposed to some very important Kingdom of God values that are essential in the Christian life and in the life of the local church. The value in having leaders with disabilities in our churches is that the church will remain intimately involved with the type of ministry that expresses the heart of God’s kingdom.

The State of Autism: Five Takeaways and Four Action Steps

The State of Autism: Five Takeaways and Four Action Steps

Last month, I was invited to attend the Autism Speaks Thought Leadership Summit on Achieving Health Equity in Washington, DC. Much like Inclusion Fusion Live, it was one of those conferences where your mind is filled to overflow with information, generation of new ideas and new people you’d like to collaborate with on your work. Here are five takeaways and four action steps for churches and families.

Ten disability ministry trends to watch in the 2020s

Ten disability ministry trends to watch in the 2020s

I'll share a non-exhaustive list of ten predictions for how the disability ministry field might evolve and grow over the next ten years.

Entering the World of Disability

Entering the World of Disability

Jesus entered the world of people He was with, and used communication that they would understand. But we often ask disabled persons to join in our activities and learn to function in our world. When we learn from Him, by entering the world of those who find our ways of communicating difficult, sometimes incredible connection can happen.

Don’t Miss the Music

Don’t Miss the Music

A new year is starting, so I want to encourage you as the pastor, congregation member who is a parent of someone with a hidden disability, or member/volunteer who has your own hidden disability to find ways to be more mindful so that you are not like the 1,000 subway riders who miss a great opportunity.