How can the Church welcome families impacted by
DISABILITY, MENTAL HEALTH AND TRAUMA?
The Gospel is the key.
The Gospel is the key
to welcoming individuals and families impacted by disability.
WHO WE ARE
A gospel-driven movement supporting disability inclusion.
Key Ministry serves churches seeking to welcome individuals and families impacted by disability, mental health and trauma, for the purpose of making disciples of Jesus Christ.
Through training, resourcing, and ongoing support, we help church leaders create environments where individuals and families impacted by disability can hear, believe, respond, belong and be discipled to know Christ.
October 1-2
October 15-16
November 12-13
RECENT
Podcasts Episodes
194: When Kids Disrupt Church: Look Beyond the Behavior
193: Mental Health Ministry Isn’t Just for Big Churches
192: Bridging Mental Health and Church Care with Laura Howe
191: The Heart of Care: Faith, Community, and Technology in Modern Ministry with Dr. Jedd Medefind
190: 3 Simple Ways to Make VBS More Accessible
189: The Church as a Mental Health Front Door with Dr. Steve Grcevich & Dr. Karl Benzio
188: Catalyst or Hindrance
187: Your First Three Conversations with Lauren Hickman
185: From Curiosity to Compassion
184: What Churches Get Wrong (and Right) About Mental Health Ministry
Ep 174: Jesus’ Christmas Names
In this episode of the Key Ministry podcast, we reflect on one of the lesser-known yet deeply meaningful names of Jesus found in Luke 2: “the consolation of Israel.” Drawing from Simeon’s encounter with the infant Christ, this conversation explores how Jesus is not a consolation prize for a broken world, but God’s personal comfort given to His people. For families and individuals impacted by disability, this name of Jesus offers real hope, belonging, and rest during the Christmas season and beyond.
173: Helping Vulnerable Kids Heal – Whole-Person Practices for Families & Churches
What helps vulnerable kids truly heal and thrive—especially children navigating disability, trauma, foster care, or adoption? In this conversation, Dr. Steve Grcevich sits down with Rachel Medefind, Director of the Institute for Family Centered Healing and Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), to explore how God uses loving families, local churches, and simple daily practices to foster whole-person health. Drawing from her own story, her work at CAFO, and current research, Rachel offers deeply hopeful, gospel-rooted encouragement for parents, foster and adoptive families, and church leaders who want to walk faithfully with vulnerable kids.
172: Sharing the Gospel with People with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities
Sandra talks with Tammy Dunkum about how her church shares the gospel with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and disciples both participants and families over time. Tammy shares practical classroom strategies, sensory-aware gospel conversations, and stories of God’s work—from a first grader learning who Jesus is to a sensory-friendly VBS that reached unchurched families.
RESOURCES
Stories, Articles & Downloads
It’s Just a Fact, Not a Complaint
The Wedding Gift
I’m Fine
Everything I Have
Still Life
When Hurting People Come to Church: A Vision for Mental Health Ministry Ep 166
3 Myths in the Church About Mental Health
DATC 2026 Call for Speakers
School Daze or School Days?
Having Student Volunteers in your Disability Ministry with Amy Kendall Ep 161
Building the Perfect Sensory Box for Special Needs Ministry with Amy Kendall Ep 156
In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Amy Kendall shares essential tools and tips for creating a sensory box to support individuals in special needs ministry. From oral motor chews and noise-canceling headphones to stress balls, fidget spinners, and liquid...
The Importance of Romance and Sexual Intimacy in Marriage (Including When Caring for One with Special Needs)
The life of special needs creates a list of changes in many if not most of our relationships, most notably our family and marriage. How can we even hope for a thriving marriage when we are exhausted, needing sleep, desiring some perks in life to give me a minute to...
Is Disability Ministry a Ministry to the Least of These? With Dr. Chris Hulshof Ep 155
Disability ministry often draws from Matthew 25:40 — “whatever you did for the least of these...you did for me.” But is this passage really talking about individuals with disabilities? In this insightful podcast, Dr. Chris Hulshof challenges common assumptions and...
What We Believe
TOGETHER
We can reach further.
Key Ministry is a nonprofit 501c3 that depends on the investments of individuals donors and churches.
To sustain our mission and fulfill our role in this Great Commission movement, we’re seeking partners willing to invest a recurring monthly gift to Key Ministry.
With your ongoing support, you become part of a powerful ripple effect—helping us reach and equip church leaders who, in turn, launch ministries that bring the gospel to individuals and families impacted by disability.
Would you consider joining us as a monthly partner?
TOGETHER
We can reach further.
Key Ministry is a nonprofit 501c3 that depends on the investments of individuals donors and churches.
To sustain our mission and fulfill our role in this Great Commission movement, we’re seeking partners willing to invest a recurring monthly gift to Key Ministry.
With your ongoing support, you become part of a powerful ripple effect—helping us reach and equip church leaders who, in turn, launch ministries that bring the gospel to individuals and families impacted by disability.
Would you consider joining us as a monthly partner?
WHAT WE DO
We serve churches looking to welcome
individuals impacted by disabilities through:
Conferences
We bring together church leaders and families through conferences designed to inspire and equip them to welcome individuals impacted by disability.
Disability & the Church
The Disability and the Church (DATC) conference is a yearly in-person event that addresses disability, mental health, and church inclusion.
Mental Health & the Church
The Mental Health & the Church Conference equips church leaders with strategies to support individuals and families impacted by mental illness. Through expert-led discussions and “Quick Takes” sessions, attendees will gain insights on providing peer support, creating inclusive church environments, and collaborating with mental health professionals.
Regional Disability Events
The Disability & the Church Regional Events deliver the same high-impact training and practical strategies from our national conference—now in your backyard! These immersive, day-and-a-half experiences are designed to equip church leaders with the tools to create welcoming, gospel-centered communities for individuals and families impacted by disability. Walk away with fresh ideas, meaningful connections, and a renewed vision for inclusive ministry.
Collaboration
We provide tailored consulting and foster collaboration to help churches create effective disability inclusion strategies.
Monthly Virtual Roundtables
Key Ministry's Monthly Video Roundtables are designed for church leaders and ministry professionals to engage in focused, interactive discussions on disability and mental health ministry. These sessions offer practical solutions and peer support to address challenges and implement inclusive strategies, with the goal of fostering stronger, more supportive church communities.
IdeaShare
Key Ministry's IdeaShare is a collaborative forum aimed at sparking creativity and innovation in disability and mental health ministry. Its goal is to provide a platform where leaders can exchange new ideas, resources, and strategies to enhance church outreach, making ministries more impactful and accessible.
MORE INFO
Coaching
We offer free, practical resources to guide churches in embracing and supporting individuals with disabilities, mental health challenges, and trauma.
Mental Health & the Church
Churches across North America have struggled to minister effectively to individuals with common mental health conditions due to the lack of a widely accepted outreach model. In Mental Health and the Church, Dr. Stephen Grcevich offers a simple, flexible model for mental health inclusion, addressing seven barriers to church participation and providing strategies for families and churches to foster spiritual growth for those impacted by mental illness.
Checklist & Get Started with Special Needs & Disability Inclusion Ministry
Looking to create or expand an inclusive ministry in your church? Our resources are designed to support you, no matter where you are in the process. Whether you're gaining senior leadership support or equipping volunteers, we offer the vision and practical tools to help your church welcome more families impacted by disability.
Books We Recommend
Here are some recommended books that can help deepen your understanding and enhance your ministry to individuals and families impacted by disability and mental health conditions.