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
171: Calloused Hearts
In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Dr. Chris Hulshof invites us into Mark 3 and the healing of the man with the withered hand. As Jesus confronts religious leaders with “calloused hearts,” we’re challenged to consider where our own hearts may have grown hard—especially in how we see, serve, and welcome people with disabilities in the life of the church. This is a gospel-centered call to trade systems, silence, and self-protection for love, mercy, and faithful service.
170: The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry: Interview with Dr. Mark Mayfield
In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, host Dr. Steve Grcevich welcomes
Dr. Mark Mayfield—pastor, counselor, professor, and author of The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry. Together they explore how churches of every size can care well for individuals and families facing mental health challenges, develop a biblical theology of suffering, and build trusted pathways to professional support—all while holding fast to the hope of the gospel.
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.
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
Rules of Successful Civil Engagement for Disability Advocates
In 1987, I entered the Cannon House Office Building in Washington DC as a summer intern. A rising college senior, I was agog at my good fortune in getting a front row seat at how it all works in the House of Representatives. Little did I know that my most important...
Building Accessible Churches: A Conversation with Sandra Peoples Ep 154
Inspired by a conversation with Sandra Peoples, this podcast episode highlights the essential role of disability ministry in the church. It explores the theological foundation for inclusion and offers practical, low-cost strategies for creating accessible environments...
5-Minute Interventions for Meltdowns
Quick, practical strategies for defusing crisis moments when traditional approaches fail It’s 7:43 AM. Your neurodiverse teen is melting down because their favorite shirt is in the wash, and the school bus arrives in twelve minutes. You’ve tried reasoning (didn’t...
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.