Care and Support, Hidden Disabilities, Autism, Spiritual Development
Key Ministry
Why I’m Glad to be A Sensitive Person

I wonder when did being sensitive get a bad reputation and why does being sensitive tend to make others uncomfortable? After all, Jesus showed us how to use gifts like sensitivity, empathy and compassion for the Kingdom of God.

Why I’m Glad to be A Sensitive Person
Disability Ministry, Key Ministry, Training Events
Stephen Grcevich MD
Key Ministry in 2024 - A year of unprecedented ...

As 2024 comes to a close, we look back at some of the most impactful events and relationships we were part of this past year, highlight new resources we helped create over the past twelve months and look ahead to opportunities for advancing the Gospel in 2025 through supporting local churches in their ministry with the disability and mental health communities.

Key Ministry in 2024 - A year of unprecedented impact
Care and Support, Church Support, Disability Ministry, Families, Hope, podcast, Sandra Peoples
Sandra Peoples
Including Special-Needs Families in Your ...

Sandra Peoples grew up with a sister with Down syndrome and now has a teenager with level 3 autism, so she knows how different the holidays can feel for a family like hers. But they don't have to feel different at church! With a few steps of consideration, she shares how families can feel included and valued. Let's make sure special-needs families can hear the message of hope this Christmas!

Including Special-Needs Families in Your Church's Christmas Activities: EP 129
Autism, Care and Support, Disability Theology, Parents, Resources, Special Needs Parenting
Sunita Theiss
Biblical Truths for Neurodivergent Kids: ...

Every child is wonderfully unique, created by God with love and intention. For kids who experience and process the world differently, hearing affirmations rooted in God’s truth can be a powerful reminder of their worth and purpose.

Biblical Truths for Neurodivergent Kids: Affirmations for Every Journey
Care and Support, Sandra Peoples, Disability Ministry
Sandra Peoples
Summer Interns for Your Disability Ministry: ...

Sandra interviews Lexi Melia on her experiences as a disability ministry intern, and they share advice for ministry leaders who are looking for an intern for next summer!

Summer Interns for Your Disability Ministry: Podcast Ep 128

Families

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Reverse Inclusion: Our Teen and Young Adult Class: Podcast Episode 078

, , , , , , , , , , ,
Reverse Inclusion: Our Teen and Young Adult Class: Podcast Episode 078

Reverse inclusion is a class designed for teens and young adults with disabilities that invites typical teenagers and young adults in for the purpose of friendship. It’s for teens like my son James who wouldn’t enjoy being part of our youth group. That environment isn’t safe for him and the curriculum doesn’t fit his needs. So instead we’ve created a class that is a good fit for him and our other teenagers! Listen to this podcast to hear about our strategies to make reverse inclusion work for you and your church!

, , , , , , , ,

Confidence in Knowing God Will Finish What He Starts: Podcast Episode 077

, , , , , , , ,
Confidence in Knowing God Will Finish What He Starts: Podcast Episode 077

In this week’s episode, Garett shares a follow up story on a message from a previous episode while also discussing how the apostle Paul’s words of encouragement to the church at Philippi should also be a message of encouragement to anyone on the journey to take the hope of Jesus Christ and the love of his church to the special needs community.

, , , , , , ,

Why the Home Group Model Is Challenging for Families Caring for Someone with a Disability: Podcast Episode 074

, , , , , , ,
Why the Home Group Model Is Challenging for Families Caring for Someone with a Disability: Podcast Episode 074

In this week’s podcast, Sandra Peoples’ shares four suggestions for how to make sure caregiving families are included in a church home group or community group model!

, , , ,

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

, , , ,
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.

, , , , , ,

The Value of Being Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Podcast Episode 064

, , , , , ,
The Value of Being Fearfully and Wonderfully Made: Podcast Episode 064

David reminds us in Psalm 139 that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made and that the works of God in us are truly wonderful. David helps us to understand the value of life because he reminds us that God knew us and formed us and designed us for his glory. In this week’s episode, we reflect on that Biblical truth and how the church is called to celebrate God’s wonderful works in all things, including disability. 

, , , , , , , ,

How did we do that? We didn’t. The Holy Spirit did it!: Podcast Episode 060

, , , , , , , ,
How did we do that? We didn’t. The Holy Spirit did it!: Podcast Episode 060

Each summer, our Shine Disabilities Ministry team hosts Camp Freedom, which an action-packed weekend where campers with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities experience summer camp in a way they most enjoy. The blessings and the memories and the logistics from the event always leave me asking “How did we do that?” But as we see through the ministry of Peter and John in Acts 3-4, we didn’t do any of it. The Holy Spirit did it!

, , , , , , , ,

Different, Not Harder

, , , , , , , ,
Different, Not Harder

"Different, not harder." That was the powerful takeaway from a dear friend who has spoken with Joanna about special needs ministry for years. This leads her to the question: are we fighting for pity or equality?

What if true equality starts with finding common ground?

, , , , ,

An Interview with David’s Table: Podcast Episode 058

, , , , ,
An Interview with David’s Table: Podcast Episode 058

In today’s episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Beth pulls up a chair to chat with Katie Mitchell, Skeeter Powell and Keith Finch of David’s Table.

, , , , , , ,

The Reason I Gave Church Another Chance

, , , , , , ,
The Reason I Gave Church Another Chance

As members of the disability community or the parents/caregivers who love them, we know the Church is not overtly welcoming. The right body of believers is out there, but they may not know it…yet. They may not even be able to understand…yet. But they will be willing to learn. Consider this your formal invitation to be sure of what you cannot see.

, , , , , , ,

14 Questions to Ask on a Student Intake Form (Plus One I Never Ask): Podcast Episode 054

, , , , , , ,
14 Questions to Ask on a Student Intake Form (Plus One I Never Ask): Podcast Episode 054

In this week’s episode, Beth Golik helps ministry leaders tackle another summer project: creating or updating Student Intake Forms.