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
Mental Health Ministry, Strategies, podcast, #MHATC2024, Announcements, Catherine Boyle
Catherine Boyle
Wrap-Around Mental Health Support: 4 Steps Any ...

In this episode of Key Ministry the Podcast, Catherine Boyle shares 4 steps any church can take when an individual or family has a significant mental health need that may require ongoing church support.

Wrap-Around Mental Health Support: 4 Steps Any Church Can Take: Podcast EP 122

Special Needs Ministry

, , , , , , , ,

God’s Plan for My Family and Lifelong Ministry for the Disability Community: Podcast Episode 048

, , , , , , , ,
God’s Plan for My Family and Lifelong Ministry for the Disability Community: Podcast Episode 048

Effective ministry for the disability community is one that is built on the belief that your church can and should be pursuing lifelong family ministry for our friends and families impacted by disability. Through his journey as the father of a child with disabilities, Garett Wall has experienced how God does the equipping for ministry and he loves encouraging churches to be more prepared for lifelong family ministry for families like his. In this week’s episode, Garett shares how God’s plan for him and his family came full circle through one of the families at his church.

, , , , , , , , ,

Teaching Biblical Discernment for Children of All Abilities

, , , , , , , , ,
Teaching Biblical Discernment for Children of All Abilities

As we move from a knowledge-hungry world to one saturated with information, it is more important than ever to stop teaching children lots of memorized facts—but instead, instill them with the ability to discern information with wisdom. I also believe that even children with learning challenges and disabilities can cultivate discernment, especially as we show them through our examples and teach them to lean into the Holy Spirit for help.

, , , , , ,

Adding Social Stories to Your Toolbox: Podcast Episode 046

, , , , , ,
Adding Social Stories to Your Toolbox: Podcast Episode 046

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.

, , , ,

Jesus's Radical Step of Inclusion for People with Disabilities During Holy Week: Podcast Episode 45

, , , ,
Jesus's Radical Step of Inclusion for People with Disabilities During Holy Week: Podcast Episode 45

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. 

, , , , ,

A Message for Children's Ministers on Inclusion: Podcast Episode 040

, , , , ,
A Message for Children's Ministers on Inclusion: Podcast Episode 040

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!

, , , , , ,

Disability Ministry: A Tale of Two Churches

, , , , , ,
Disability Ministry: A Tale of Two Churches

Guest blogger Sandy Hartranft shares her son's experience with the disability ministries at two churches—each with its own approach to inclusion and belonging.

, , , , , , ,

DATC2023 Ministry Intensive Preview: An Interview with Stephen "Doc" Hunsley: Podcast Episode 039

, , , , , , ,
DATC2023 Ministry Intensive Preview: An Interview with Stephen "Doc" Hunsley: Podcast Episode 039

In today’s podcast, Catherine Boyle interviews Doc Hunsley from SOAR Special Needs, and lets you know how you can sign up for Doc’s Disability Ministry 101 Ministry Intensive at DATC2023.

, , , , ,

4 Thoughts on Nonverbal Communication in the Children’s Ministry Setting: Podcast Episode 037

, , , , ,
4 Thoughts on Nonverbal Communication in the Children’s Ministry Setting: Podcast Episode 037

In this week's episode, Beth Golik shares four thoughts about nonverbal communication in the children's ministry setting and how she has been personally impacted by her students whose primary mode of communication doesn't include the spoken word.

, , , , , ,

Acceptable and Accessible Churches with Chris Hulshof: Podcast Episode 036

, , , , , ,
Acceptable and Accessible Churches with Chris Hulshof: Podcast Episode 036

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.

, , , , , , ,

5 Reasons to Attend DATC2023: Podcast Episode 035

, , , , , , ,
5 Reasons to Attend DATC2023: Podcast Episode 035

In this week’s episode, Catherine Boyle gives five reasons why the Disability and The Church Conference is a unique opportunity for ministry leaders and anyone affected by disability.