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.
RECENT
Podcasts Episodes
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
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
169: Supporting Neurodiverse Teens in Your Youth Ministry
In this episode of the Key Ministry Podcast, host Sandra Peoples shares practical and meaningful ways churches and youth leaders can support neurodiverse teens. As more students identify with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, sensory processing differences, and other neurodivergent profiles, churches have a unique opportunity to create spaces where these students can understand the gospel, feel a sense of belonging, and grow in their faith.
168: Begin with the End in Mind (DATC Tour Stop Talk)
Larah Roberts guides this special “Tour Stop” episode featuring her message recorded in September 2025 near Cleveland, Ohio. Larah lays out a gospel-centered orientation for disability ministry: start by envisioning the finish line—the throne room of Jesus in Revelation 21—and work backward. From there she shows how Acts 2 gives a practical blueprint for building ministries that move people toward discipleship, not just programs.
167: On Repeat
Dr. Chris Hulshof shares a powerful reflection on how repetition—so often seen as tedious or tiresome—can actually be a gift from God. Drawing from Scripture, personal experience, and wisdom from G.K. Chesterton, Dr. Hulshof helps us see how repetition in our lives, especially as parents of children impacted by disability, mirrors the steadfast heart of God.
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?
Looking 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.