February 18, 2025

Church Support, Disability Ministry, Families, Parents

Key Ministry

Creating a Church Where Everyone Belongs

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.

February 13, 2025

ADHD, Autism, Book Reviews, Care and Support, Caregiving, Hidden Disabilities, Parents, podcast

Elaina Marchenko

Finding KiND with Kari Baker: Podcast EP 136

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.

February 11, 2025

Care and Support, Stories, Special Needs Parenting, Parents

Stephanie McKeever

What Pediatric Cancer Taught Me

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.

February 6, 2025

#Disability&theChurch2025, Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Ministry, Families, Event, podcast, Sandra Peoples

Sandra Peoples

Help for Planning 2025: Podcast EP 135

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.

January 30, 2025

#Disability&theChurch2025, Advocacy, Autism, Care and Support, Caregiving, Church Support, Disability Ministry, Down syndrome, Hope, podcast

Elaina Marchenko

Supporting Families Affected by Disability with ...

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.

restoration

Catherine Boyle

September 20, 2023

Families, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health Ministry, Special Needs Ministry, Disability Ministry

Four Aspects of Protection to Help Find Your Ministry Purpose - Podcast EP 068

Catherine Boyle

September 20, 2023

Families, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health Ministry, Special Needs Ministry, Disability Ministry

Four Aspects of Protection to Help Find Your Ministry Purpose - Podcast EP 068

Is God stirring something in you, perhaps drawing you into ministry work? In today’s podcast, Catherine shares four aspects of God’s protection that can help you discern and fulfill this calling, while living a life impacted by disabilities.

Catherine Boyle

September 9, 2021

Abuse, Advocacy, Care and Support, Church Support, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health, Special Needs Ministry, Strategies, Trauma

A New Series on Sexual Abuse Prevention and Accountability

Catherine Boyle

September 9, 2021

Abuse, Advocacy, Care and Support, Church Support, Controversies, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health, Special Needs Ministry, Strategies, Trauma

A New Series on Sexual Abuse Prevention and Accountability

Throughout this fall, we will feature a variety of blog posts and webinars addressing sexual abuse, both for parents of children with disabilities and ministry leaders. We hope you will join us and contribute to the conversations.

Key Ministry

March 12, 2020

Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Church Support, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Hope, Mental Health, Spiritual Development, Stories

From the Pit of Fear and Darkness to Love and Light

Key Ministry

March 12, 2020

Advocacy, Anxiety Disorders, Church Support, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Hope, Mental Health, Spiritual Development, Stories

From the Pit of Fear and Darkness to Love and Light

Guest blogger John Patrick shares his story of anxiety, depression and agoraphobia, and how God’s Word led him to freedom and restoration.

Jeremy Smith

January 16, 2020

Care and Support, Church Support, Depression, Mental Health, Strategies

Mental Illness, Christianity and Cultural Sensitivity

Jeremy Smith

January 16, 2020

Care and Support, Church Support, Depression, Mental Health, Strategies

Mental Illness, Christianity and Cultural Sensitivity

Is it appropriate for licensed counselors to incorporate Christianity into counseling practices at all? The counselor’s code of ethics is about imposing your beliefs on others. But if a client comes in with Christian values or is wanting to incorporate faith at any capacity into the counseling treatment, everything changes.