Key Ministry, Resources, Training Events
Stephen Grcevich MD
The Case for Supporting Key Ministry

The training, content, gatherings and experiences that we’ve created for pastors, church staff and ministry volunteers produced with the assistance of like-minded colleagues serving in disability ministry have become our principal service. So much of what we’re able do to help churches welcome and support families, we accomplish by bringing together experts from other ministry organizations.

The Case for Supporting Key Ministry
Caregiving
Jolene Philo
November Is Family Caregiver Awareness Month

November is Caregiver Awareness Month. As someone who became one of my dad’s caregivers before I started school, I grew up thinking everyone in the world was aware of caregivers and caregiving. As a young adult my husband and I cared for a son born with a life-threatening medical condition, and his typical sibling. As members of the sandwich generation, my brother, sister, and I cared for our mother for 15 years after she was diagnosed with dementia. This explains why, when I first heard that November is Caregiver Awareness Month, I was incredulous, and I still am. 

November Is Family Caregiver Awareness Month
Care and Support, Disability Ministry, Special Needs Ministry
Larah Roberts
A Conversation with Lauren Hickman from Hope ...

In this episode, Lauren Hickman shares her personal journey and calling to disability ministry, describing how God has guided her every step of the way to serve families impacted by disability.

A Conversation with Lauren Hickman from Hope Allen Center: Podcast EP 125
Autism, Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Ministry, podcast, Special Needs Parenting, Special Needs Ministry, Sandra Peoples
Sandra Peoples
Strategies for Small and Normative Sized ...

 In today’s episode, Sandra 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.

Strategies for Small and Normative Sized Churches with Sandra Peoples: Podcast EP 124
Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Theology, Hope, podcast, Special Needs Parenting
Elaina Marchenko
Prepping for the Holidays, a Pastor & ...

This week Elaina, from Key Ministry, sits down with Sergei Marchenko, Lead Pastor of Chatham Bible Church, and Special Needs Parent. They discuss preparing for the holiday season, church inclusion, special needs parenting and more!

Prepping for the Holidays, a Pastor & Parent Perspective with Sergei Marchenko: Podcast EP 123

Special Needs Ministry

, , , , , ,

Three Tips to Help Special Needs Families Transition Back into Church

, , , , , ,
Three Tips to Help Special Needs Families Transition Back into Church

If you listen to disability ministry leaders, surveys and thought leaders these days, you will hear a resounding concern that families impacted by disability, mental health difficulties and other special needs will not be returning to “church as usual” any time soon. I hope churches and pastors are asking what will happen to these families. Here are three things your church can do to bless individuals and families impacted by disability in your congregation to navigate the transition process and feel restored to our church communities.

, , , , ,

How Do We Respond to God’s Call to the Marginalized?

, , , , ,
How Do We Respond to God’s Call to the Marginalized?

Misty, the beautiful puppy was so willing to learn. But when she matured into her doggy teens, she would decide whether it was important to obey or not. Misty reminded me of how we can respond to the call of God, particularly with ministry to the marginalized.

, , , , , , ,

How God Multiplies Ministry from within the Special Needs Community

, , , , , , ,
How God Multiplies Ministry from within the Special Needs Community

God uses the Church in important ways to come alongside people He eventually calls to leadership. God often places people in positions of receiving essential encouragement, prayer, support and equipping. In the process, He’s revealing their potential, as well as opportunities to move them into areas of ministry with other families impacted by disability.

, , , , ,

How to Create A Sensory Easter Story

, , , , ,
How to Create A Sensory Easter Story

As one of the most important times in the Christian calendar, Easter is a key teaching time for parents, as well as children’s and youth workers. But the big story of Easter can be difficult for some children and young people with additional/special needs or disabilities to understand. Here are some sensory ideas that we can use that will help us to tell the Easter story, but will also give us ways to help children and young people with additional needs access other complex themes we might want to engage them with throughout the year.

, , , , , , ,

Why You Should Care About Special Needs

, , , , , , ,
Why You Should Care About Special Needs

It can be difficult to understand the complexities of raising a child with special needs if this calling is not part of your existence. You should care, because children with special needs are the least of the least of the least of these.

, , , , , , , , ,

Seven Ways to Help People with Traumatic Brain Injuries Thrive in Your Church

, , , , , , , , ,
Seven Ways to Help People with Traumatic Brain Injuries Thrive in Your Church

I have the most amazing baby sister. She is goofy, loud, opinionated, and hard-headed. She makes me laugh and she drives me completely insane. My sister has a traumatic brain injury (TBI). She needs accommodations to be successful, especially in the church. These accommodations can help almost anyone with a TBI.

, , , , , ,

Simple Gestures That Resonate Deeply With Special Needs Caregivers

, , , , , ,
Simple Gestures That Resonate Deeply With Special Needs Caregivers

Caregivers and families impacted by disability are finding themselves most profoundly moved by the simple things these days. I’ve been wondering what ministry would look and feel like if we all just took a giant step back: back to the days of pie socials, potlucks, card clubs and barn raisings. Here are some ideas that any church or ministry leader can do.

, , , , ,

Ten Steps to Set Up A House Church Model of Ministry

, , , , ,
Ten Steps to Set Up A House Church Model of Ministry

Last week, Jillian Palmiotto shared the first part of this 2-part series on developing a house church model of special needs ministry. Today, Jillian shares the process she used to establish house churches, in hopes that it will spark some ideas in other leaders, and help churches prepare for our uncertain future.

, , , , ,

Five Ways to Highlight Scriptures in Special Needs Ministry

, , , , ,
Five Ways to Highlight Scriptures in Special Needs Ministry

Scripture is a fundamental part of Christianity. When our church launched a special needs ministry a few years ago, I wondered how we could incorporate scripture into our lessons while making it understandable for those with Intellectual Disabilities and limited speech. Here are five ways to embed scriptures in your special-needs ministry.