Starting a ministry to special-needs individuals is as simple as a smile,
handshake or hug, those who lead such efforts in their churches say.
Starting a ministry to special-needs individuals is as simple as a smile,
handshake or hug, those who lead such efforts in their churches say.
Parents of a disabled child often feel awkward in a church setting because
they fear their child is bothering the rest of the congregation, said Michelle
Guppy, a leader in the special-needs ministry at Graceview Baptist Church in
Tomball, Texas.
They notice church members acting uncomfortable around their children, Guppy
explained. Sensing this, many of the families choose not to attend church.
However, by greeting the child and touching his or her hand during conversation,
church members go a long way to overcoming the discomfort, said Guppy, the mother
of a 10-year-old autistic boy.
“As a parent, all they want is to feel welcome,” she added.
“Were not going to church to be healed but to be welcomed. We want
to go somewhere our children will be welcomed, and someone will tell them about
Jesus.”
Many special-needs families know each other, Guppy said. Thus, when a church
welcomes one of the children, word quickly spreads to other families that the
congregation actually wants to minister to the special-needs population.
“If you welcome them, they will come,” she said. “Theyre
out there.”
Graceview Baptist Church members did more than welcome special-needs individuals
– they sought them out.
Program director Denise Briley followed the special-education school bus to
each home in the community to enlist participants. The church also advertised
a weekly four-hour time where volunteers would care for special-needs children
while the parents relaxed.
Meanwhile, at Antioch Baptist Church in Heathsville, N.C., a 161-year-old rural
congregation, the traditional members fit easily into three small Sunday school
classes. But the fellowship hall now overflows with the new “Smiles Class.”
The church recently began an outreach to developmentally-delayed adults from
group homes and families in the area. Like Graceview Baptist Church, the North
Carolina congregation sought out participants.
Pastor Joy Heaton approached LIFE Inc., which operates 30 residential care
facilities for developmentally-delayed adults about ministry opportunities with
residents.
Before Antioch began its class, special-needs residents occasionally visited
other churches but had no regular place to go and no targeted program of religious
education.
“Usually I have to go out and hunt places and ask if we can come,”
LIFE worker Charles Jack said. “So, we very much appreciate the ministry
offered by the church.”
On an average Sunday, a dozen residents, accompanied by several caretakers,
make their way to the Smiles Class, presided over by Carolyn Vick, whose interest
led to formation of the class. Vick is assisted by her son Dean, who is mildly
disabled.
The youngest class member is 23, while the oldest is in her 50s. A typical
class begins with coloring, which some members enjoy more than others.
One member colors with great vigor and snaps one crayon after another. “All
broke!” he says, smiling.
The class always includes a time for singing that is as joyful as it is off-key
and often includes hand motions. There are Bible stories, refreshments and crafts.
While the class members are appreciative, the blessings work both ways, Vick
said. “Theyve done our hearts so good.”
At First Baptist Church of Longview, Texas, all the special-needs individuals
-ages 10 to 75 – are in one group to begin Sunday School. They sing
songs and do hands-on activities such as crafts and plays. Then, the group divides
into smaller classes.
Dale Sage is founder of the special-friends ministry and tries to put individuals
into classes of people that are the same age and learning ability.
Those who are able to sit through the worship service do, she said. The group
tends to sit together with the teachers, who can help when needed.
Sage admitted it is difficult to know how much each individual comprehends,
but she said she believes they need to know God loves them.
“We feel strongly that it is not teaching them the Bible story or a memory
verse that is important,” she explained.
“We believe it is most important to teach them God loves them.”
Sage tries to recruit leaders from among the areas public-school teachers,
who receive state training in handling special-needs individuals. But she also
trains those with a passion for helping the disabled.
Finding a church that ministered to her autistic son was a blessing to her
whole family, Guppy said. “It brought the joy back,” she noted. “Weve
been blessed with faith through our journey.”
Special-needs ministry also blesses the volunteer workers and the congregation,
leaders agree. “It gets to the point you dont even see their handicaps,”
Sage said. “Theyre just Jane and Bob and Sue.” (ABP)