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.
APRIL 21-23, 2026
APRIL 21-23, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C.
MCLEAN BIBLE CHURCH
RECENT
Podcasts Episodes
185: From Curiosity to Compassion
What Churches Get Wrong (and Right) About Mental Health Ministry
183: Start Here with Lauren Hickman – It Begins With Prayer
182: Disability & the Church Stories: The Story Behind “Spaghetti Sunday”
181: Caring with Intentionality
180: Discipling Teens with Hidden Disabilities
179: When Grandparents Bring the Kids to Church
177: Three Qualities of Disability Awareness
176: The Trauma Pastors Rarely Talk About with Dr. Steve Grcevich & Jeremy Smith
175: Top Ten Disability Ministry Wins from 2025
166: When Hurting People Come to Church: A Vision for Mental Health Ministry
Dr. Steve Grcevich talks with Dr. Jim Sells—psychologist, professor, and co-director of the Charis Institute at Regent University—about how churches can respond when hurting people walk through their doors. Together they explore the biblical call to hospitality, the “CARE” model for mental health ministry, and how the local church can be a healing community for those in pain.
165: Supporting Special-Needs Families
In this episode Why disability ministry is a whole-church discipleship issue, not a silo. How “difference of degree” (not kind) shapes family stress and church response. Gospel hope vs. quick fixes: anchoring resilience in Christ’s faithfulness. Moving from “care...
164: What Sunday Looks Like for Special Needs Families — and Why Church Leaders Should Know with Amy Kendall
Step Into a Special Needs Family’s Sunday Episode 164 — Key Ministry Podcast Host: Amy Kendall What does Sunday morning look like before a special needs family ever walks through your church doors? In this episode, Amy Kendall invites church leaders to walk through...
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?
Salvation for Children with Disabilities with Sandra Peoples Ep 162
Hi! I’m Autistic.
I have been away from the writing team for a while; allow me to reintroduce myself… HI! My name is Joanna, and I am autistic. This fact should have been obvious to me long ago, but it wasn’t. I can still picture myself, standing on tiptoe to peer into the mirror as a...
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...
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?
Looing for a welcoming church?
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.