It’s no surprise that I eventually became a teacher, working in inclusive classrooms where children with diverse abilities learned side by side. Later, I became a mom, got deeply connected to my church, and—as often happens when you volunteer a lot—joined the staff. I served as a preschool leader, children’s pastor, and multi-campus ministry leader. I’ve had so many wonderful days leading kids, parents, and volunteers. But one of the hardest days came not as a leader but as a church attendee.
Elaina sits down with Kari Baker, author of Finding KiND: Discovering Hope and Purpose While Loving Kids with Invisible Neurological Differences, and talks about special needs parenting, autism spectrum, and supporting other families on the same journey.
Our first day on the ninth floor, the doctors never said, "Your child has cancer." You know those childhood cancer commercials that tug at your heart? Never happened. My husband received a phone call that confirmed a biopsy, but once we were on the oncology floor, the word cancer was never uttered. Medical textbook words were used, and the rush was definitely on. We knew exactly what was happening without ever being explicitly told in those basic words.
It’s February, and we’ve all somewhat settled into 2025 and are ready to look ahead to what the year will bring. To help you prepare for your church’s steps of accessibility and inclusive events, we’ve created a Ministry Planning Calendar! In this episode, Sandra Peoples will walk you through ideas for planning ahead and praying for what God will do in 2025.
Elaina Marchenko sits down with Rachael VerMeulen from A Little Extra Love Ministries to talk about the reality for families affected by special needs, the need for disability support in Colorado, and what Rachael will be sharing at Disability & the Church Conference.
If you’re able to join us in person, registration is still open. If you’d like to join us at Mental Health and the Church for the free livestream, go to Key Ministry’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@KeyMinistryOfficial
Our first Mental Health and the Church conference features some speakers who have made significant contributions to mental health ministry in the local church. Today, we are pleased to introduce Kay Warren, one of the leading voices on mental health support in the Church. Register for MHATC2024 today, so you and your pastoral team can learn from the extensive expertise that Kay and her team bring to mental health ministry.
Registration is now officially open for Mental Health and the Church (#MHATC2024), Key Ministry’s inaugural mental health ministry conference with a national agenda, scope and representation of leaders and organizations engaged in mental health ministry. Here are four reasons why you and your church leadership should attend.
On behalf of our Board, ministry team and the MHATC2024 Program Committee, I would like to invite leaders with impactful or innovative ideas and strategies for churches seeking to minister with individuals and families impacted by mental health concerns to conserve applying to be part of our speaking team for Mental Health and the Church, Key Ministry’s first national conference focused specifically upon mental health ministry, to be held at Bay Presbyterian Church in suburban Cleveland on September 26-27, 2024.
I'd like to invite our readers to join with me, along with Kelly Rosati, Amy Simpson and Kay Warren on Tuesday, May 8th at 2:00 PM Eastern time for a Twitter chat designed to encourage pastors, ministry leaders and key volunteers to consider how they can be involved in addressing the epidemic of mental illness in children and teens.
