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.

Creating a Church Where Everyone Belongs
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.

Finding KiND with Kari Baker: Podcast EP 136
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. 

What Pediatric Cancer Taught Me
#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.

Help for Planning 2025: Podcast EP 135
#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.

Supporting Families Affected by Disability with Rachael VerMeulen from A Little Extra Love: Podcast EP 134

Sandra Peoples

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Disabilities in Heaven: Podcast Episode 103

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Disabilities in Heaven: Podcast Episode 103

Will all aspects of disability be erased in heaven? Sandra Peoples looks at applicable biblical passages and shares her thoughts in this episode!

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Ministry Visibility on Your Church Website: Podcast Episode 100

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Ministry Visibility on Your Church Website: Podcast Episode 100

In our 100th episode, Sandra Peoples shares three ways to increase ministry visibility on your church website. Most disability families are going to visit your church website before they visit your actual church. Does your website communicate everything they need to know for a smooth visit?

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Disability & the Church 2024 Recap: Podcast Episode 099

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Disability & the Church 2024 Recap: Podcast Episode 099

Beth Golik and Sandra Peoples give a Disability & the Church 2024 Conference Recap that happened this past week in Orlando, FL.

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Inclusive and Engaging Teaching Models: Podcast Epsiode 095 with Sandra Peoples Tracy McElhatten

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Inclusive and Engaging Teaching Models: Podcast Epsiode 095 with Sandra Peoples Tracy McElhatten

In today's episode, Sandra chats with Tracy McElhattan, PhD about how to apply universal design for learning principles to our children's ministry classes so everyone is included and engaged!

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Family Care Plans: Podcast Episode 091

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Family Care Plans: Podcast Episode 091

In episode 091 of Key Ministry the Podcast, Sandra shares an idea for organizing care for disability families in your church and how the parable of the Good Samaritan provides guiding principles for how and why we provide that care.

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

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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!

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

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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!

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Ten Books for Disability Ministry Leaders: Podcast Episode 70

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Ten Books for Disability Ministry Leaders: Podcast Episode 70

Fall is a great time to read a good book! In this episode, Sandra shares 10 books for disability ministry leaders in the areas of family care, theology of disability, and ways to strengthen your inclusion practices! 

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4 Steps for Success for Ministry Volunteers: Podcast Episode 066

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4 Steps for Success for Ministry Volunteers: Podcast Episode 066

As ministry leaders, we are responsible for a team of volunteers. There are four steps we can take to help them feel successful in their role. In this episode, Sandra will share those four steps so we can support our volunteers and help them feel equipped and empowered in their ministry callings.

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Solutions When You Don’t Have enough Buddies: Podcast Episode 057

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Solutions When You Don’t Have enough Buddies: Podcast Episode 057

You’ve recruited (and maybe even begged) and still can’t get enough buddies to meet the needs of kids and teens at your church. What can you do next? Sandra Peoples has four ideas that work for churches of any size!