WEDNESDAY, MAY 1 

11:30am – 1:00pm: Early Check-In 

1:00pm – 4:30pm: optional Ministry Intensives (registration required; additional fee) 

THURSDAY, MAY 2 

7:30am – 8:30am: Check-In 

8:30am – 9:30am: DATC2024 officially begins with All Conference Gathering 

9:45am – 11:00am: Block #1 

11:30am – 12:45pm: Block #2 

1:00pm – 2:00pm: Block #3 (lunch & community conversations; boxed lunch included) 

2:15pm – 3:00pm: Block #4 

3:30pm – 4:45pm: Block #5 

5:00pm – 5:45pm: All Conference Gathering 

6:00pm – 7:00pm: optional Community Conversation (registration required, no additional fee; hors d’oeuvres included) 

FRIDAY, MAY 3 

8:30am – 9:15am: All Conference Gathering 

9:45am – 11:00am: Block #6 

11:30am – 12:45pm: Block #7 

1:00pm – 2:00pm: Block #8 (lunch & community conversations; boxed lunch included) 

2:15pm – 3:00pm: Block #9 

3:30pm – 4:15pm: Block #10 

4:30pm – 5:15pm: DATC2024 officially ends with All Conference Gathering 

Friday evening: optional “Behind the Scenes at Make ‘m Smile” networking event with Nathaniel’s Hope at Lake Eola Park (registration required, no additional fee). And, stick around Orlando on Saturday, May 4 for Make 'm Smile.

Conference Ticket (May 2 & 3) - includes boxed lunch Thursday & Friday

Late Registration Ticket (after April 17) = $219

Ministry Intensives (May 1)

Late Registration Ministry Intensive Ticket (After April 17) = $89

Additional Add-Ons

There is no fee for the Thursday night optional Community Conversation or the Friday night optional Behind the Scenes with Make ‘M Smile event, however registration is required for both.

Scholarships

Limited scholarship funds may be available; click here for more information.

Key Ministry is offering a 50% discount on DATC2024 Conference Tickets to Lead/Senior Pastors when accompanied by one or more staff from the church where they are currently employed. Click here for more information.

Bringing a team from your church? Choose the GROUP Conference Ticket to receive a 20% discount on teams of 2-4 and a 30% discount on teams of 5 or more.

Our venue is Calvary Orlando located at 1199 Clay Street in Winter Park, Florida.

Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 16 miles from Calvary Orlando.

Sanford International Airport (SFB) is 26 miles from Calvary Orlando.

Choose ONE of FOUR optional Ministry Intensives as an add-on for Wednesday, May 1 (1:00-4:30pm).

OPTION 1: Including, Supporting and Unleashing Individuals and Families Impacted by Mental Health

Presented by Catherine Boyle & Stephen Grcevich, MD of Key Ministry and Pastor Brad Hoefs of Fresh Hope for Mental Health

Caring for children, adults and families impacted by the existing mental health crisis at a time when churches are experiencing unprecedented challenges in maintaining attendance and influence is an urgency experienced by many or most leaders in ministry. In this year’s intensive from Key Ministry, attendees will be introduced to a holistic approach for churches and mature Christians at any stage in considering or growing their capacity for mental health ministry. Attendees will explore ways they might expand the mental health care and support provided to persons already connected to their church, identify opportunities for evangelism and outreach with arguably the largest underserved population by the church in North America — individuals affected by mental illness and their families — and consider how persons with firsthand experience of mental health concerns represent underutilized assets for any church seeking to maximize the size and scope of their ministry within the communities they serve.

OPTION 2: Creating a Trauma-Informed Children’s or Youth Ministry

Presented by Robert Crosby, PhD and Lori Crosby, MFT, RPT-S of Reach Hurting Kids Institute

The kids in our communities are hurting like never before. Childhood depression and anxiety doubled in the wake of COVID-19, and suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among kids aged 10-14. To be relevant in a hurting and broken world, your ministry needs to be trauma-informed. In this interactive, highly practical workshop, you will learn to recognize the hidden signs of trauma in your ministry so you can respond in ways that help kids heal and succeed at church. Through shocking real-life case studies, provocative group discussions, and eye-opening activities, you will discover trauma-informed principles and strategies that reduce behavioral problems, increase engagement, and turn frustrating behavioral challenges into one-of-a-kind ministry opportunities. Developed by scientists, pastors, and mental health professionals at the Reach Hurting Kids Institute, this workshop is a must for every children’s and youth ministry leader.

OPTION 3: Disability Ministry 101

Presented by Doc Hunsley of SOAR Special Needs

Has God called you or your church to start a Disability Ministry, but you don't know where to begin? Whether you are a small church or a large one, this workshop will answer the questions of how, what, and why. You will fill your toolbox with how to deal with different types of behaviors, how to recruit and train volunteers, understand the different classroom environments as well as curriculum options available, engaging and partnering with church staff and community organizations, how to help your ministry to become outward focused, and helping your church become an inclusive place for those with disabilities. You will receive all the information you need and more! After this workshop, you will realize that YOU can do disability ministry at your church!

OPTION 4: Accessible Gospel, Inclusive Worship: Ministry With Every One

Presented by Victoria White of With Ministries & Dr. Erik Carter, Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, With Ministries

Church leaders, this is for you! We want to refresh you with ideas for presenting the Gospel message in ways that people of all abilities embrace, and worship practices that invite universal participation. You don't have to be a disability expert, your church doesn't need a separate program, and here is a practical framework with tangible ideas you can implement this weekend.

During the registration process you will select your choices for each Breakout Block. Workshops are 45 or 75 minutes in length. Quick Takes are 10 minute TEDTalk-type presentations which will also be live-streamed. A full list of Breakout Block selections, with descriptions, is on this page below the Speaking Team gallery.

We’ve assembled a diverse team of nearly 100 speakers, representing the breadth and depth of our rapidly growing disability ministry movement.

We encourage you to check out the Speaking Team bios (on this page above the Speaking Team photo gallery).

Connect with dozens of ministries and resource providers throughout our exhibit space.

Interested in being an Exhibitor or Sponsor at DATC2024? Click here for info.

Conference rates are available at three area hotels. (Book early to obtain conference rate; inventory is limited.)

Hilton Garden Inn Winter Park: 1275 Lee Road, Winter Park, FL (click here to book with conference rate)

Springhill Suites by Marriott Winter Park: 1127 N Orlando Ave, Winter Park , FL (click here to book with conference rate)

Embassy Suites by Hilton Orlando North: 225 Shorecrest Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL (click here to book with conference rate); If you prefer to use central reservations, dial 1-800-445-8667 and refer to either the Group Code: KMC or the Group Name: Key Ministry May 2024.

Registration includes a boxed lunch on both Thursday and Friday. Seating is available in the outdoor covered patio or you may choose to attend a Community Conversation taking place during the lunch block.

New to DATC this year…Community Conversations! At three different times throughout the conference, you have the opportunity to participate in optional Community Conversations which are designed to present information and facilitate discussion among ministry leaders.

Breakout Block #3 (Thursday): Town Meeting -The Intersection of Disability, Gender & Sexuality

Breakout Block #8 (Friday): Panel Discussion - Serving in Ministry Leadership with a Disability

Thursday evening: Community Conversation on Accessible Worship - led by Dr. Erik Carter

Friday morning’s All Conference Gathering will include a sensory-friendly worship experience with a message delivered by Ryan Wolfe and Lori Sealy leading worship.

It is our hope this experience will provide you with ideas for offering similar worship experiences at your church.

Join fellow ministry leaders for an engaging and interactive conversation about accessible worship. What does it mean for worship to be truly accessible? What are creative ways of designing and adapting worship to broaden participation? Share your insights and experiences at this unique “community conversation” event, led by Dr. Erik Carter. Hôrs d'oeuvres will be provided; dinner will not be served during this event. There is no charge to attend, but registration is required and space is limited.

Interested in seeing what it takes to get ready for Make ‘m Smile? Join our friends from Nathaniel’s Hope on Friday evening, May 3rd, for a private tour of the event set-up. You’ll have a chance to experience beautiful Lake Eola Park, located in the heart of downtown Orlando, and see the systems that have been put in place that allow a team of over 100 volunteers prep the space for the thousands of VIPs and their families coming to Make ‘m Smile! The Behind the Scenes tour/networking event is free but registration is required. A casual dinner will be provided.

On Saturday, May 4, the morning after DATC2024 ends, the 22nd Annual Nathaniel's Hope Make 'm Smile event will take place at Lake Eola Park in Downtown Orlando. It's a big party celebrating kids and adults with all types of disabilities -- VIPs -- and it draws crowds of over 30,000 each year. Make 'm Smile started as a way to remember the birthday of Nathaniel's Hope founders' (Tim & Marie Kuck) son, Nathaniel. It features family entertainment, games, characters, petting zoos, food, helpful resources from the community, a friendship walk, and lots of smiles!

You can attend Make 'm Smile and still fly home Saturday afternoon! The magic starts at 6:00 am. Join the Smile Team volunteers for an early morning rally and see how it all comes together; Make 'm Smile officially launches at 8:00 am.

Whether you come as a VIP/honored guest or join as a Buddy and participate in the friendship stroll, you might be inspired to bring a Nathaniel’s Hope Make ‘m Smile event to your community!

Click here to see what you can expect!

Janette Bentley || Dr. Bentley, with over three decades in mental health, specializes in aiding families and individuals with autism and dual diagnoses, extending her expertise to various sectors including state and military services. She founded Oh Grace Ministries, Inc. to support people of color and the faithful through emotional, physical, and spiritual challenges, offering services like wellness retreats and seminars. Her Power of Prayer ministry connects believers daily via Zoom, underscoring her commitment to blending mental health support with spiritual enrichment.

Tait Berge || Tait Berge is a writer, Advocate, and theologian, as well as a Ministry Advocate for Mephibosheth Ministry, where he’s been associated with for more than twenty years. Tait lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, Kelly, and has published hundreds of articles and four books. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Ethics from Nazarene Bible College and currently attends Asbury Seminary for a master’s degree in theology.

KJ Boland || KJ is a New Jersey native and a graduate of Penn State University. Originally hired by Masterpiece Alliance in 2022 as a staff associate, in 2023 KJ was promoted to the position of Director of Ministry. There she serves the community of adults with disabilities in the Roanoke Valley by helping to create opportunities to foster rich, life-giving, inclusive friendships and community.

Joan Borton || Jerry and Joan Borton have engaged with disability most of their lives. Jerry was born with cerebral palsy and Joan grew up in a family who volunteered with adults with intellectual disabilities. The Bortons married in 1995, and together they co-founded Luke 14 Exchange, Inc. Joan is an award-winning author and recently published the book MarriageAbility: Embracing the Richness of a Marriage Affected by Disability. Jerry is a well-respected mentor and speaker in the areas of leadership and disability.

Jerry Borton || Jerry Borton has been a disability advocate and minister for over forty years. He was born with cerebral palsy and uses a power wheelchair. Jerry's passion is leadership and mentoring people with disabilities. Jerry holds a Bachelor's degree in Bible and Christian Education and a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership. Jerry is co-founder of Luke 14 Exchange, along with his wife Joan.

Kim Botto || For the past several decades, Kim has led children’s and student ministries at the local church while also leading initiatives around adoption and foster care. Kim’s passion is creating fun and safe environments for all kids—regardless of their personality, unique needs, or energy level—so they can better experience God and grow in their faith. Through speaking, writing and coaching Kim works with parents and church leaders to equip volunteer teams, strengthen families and support parents.

Catherine Boyle || Catherine has been impacted by mental health issues her entire life, including her own struggles with anorexia, bulimia, anxiety and depression. Catherine has led and started various ministries, all focused on eating disorders and mental health issues. Prior to working in ministry, Catherine served as an executive at a large U.S. bank. Catherine has been interviewed for her ministry work on radio, television and in online magazines. Catherine earned a BBA in Accounting and an MBA, is married to husband Barney, and has two adult children.

Christine Boyle || Christine Boyle is the mother of two adult children with disabilities, Courteney and Kevin. Courteney went home to Jesus in 2021 at the age of 21. Kevin came into the Boyle family in 2013 after a long adoption process from El Salvador. Christine is the host of "Invited In with Chrstine Bolye -Where Disability & Faith Meet" podcast, a Disability Advocate and a Motivational Speaker. She brings over two decades of stories, experiences, highs and lows that she loves to use to encourage others. She is a strong, tenacious advocate, as she recognizes that not much comes easy in the world of disability! All the while, her joy, enthusiasm and hope is absolutely evident and contagious! Christine is on staff with the global ministry, Young Life Capernaum, ministering specifically to kids & young adults with disabilities on the Cleveland, Ohio area. Her home is often filled with her Young Life Capernaum friends, learning about Jesus together!

Jim Bracelin || Jim Bracelin was raised in a Christian home. From the time of his salvation at age six, his desire was to make Christ known to those who have never heard (seen) the Gospel. He met his wife, Terry, in Bible College, and they have ministered for the past forty-three years in various capacities. From an assistant Pastor, to a senior pastor, and as missionaries to the Deaf for the past twenty-four years. He is the Vice-President of Silent Word, and he and Terry serve as the Northeast Directors of the ministry.

Kimberly Britt || Kimberly Britt, LPC, works as the Executive Director of Anchor International. As a peer leader, Kimberly has lived experience with several mental health struggles, including anxiety, ADHD, and disordered eating. She holds a bachelor's in Video & TV Production from Emerson College and a master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Colorado Christian University. Kimberly was born and raised in Mississippi and now lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three young daughters.

Shaun Brooks || Dr. Shaun Brooks is currently the Disabilities Ministries Coordinator for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference and also serves as the Senior Pastor for the Atlanta All Nations SDA Church. Shaun is an author, writer, and motivational speaker who is passionate about developing an inclusive ministry for those with Disabilities; which was the focus of his Doctor of Ministry degree (Andrews University, 2019). Shaun and his wife Stacy have four wonderful children, Annabelle, Leilani, Caleb and Isaac, and enjoy family trips, meeting new folks, and building friendships for eternity.

Linda Bunk || Linda Bunk is a Christian afflicted with Bipolar and Aspergers. Jesus has transformed her life. She wants others suffering with mental illness or Aspergers to experience His saving grace. She is His bondservant for His Kingdom Building. She is living for Christ. She was dead but now she is alive in Christ. She lives on mission in the Northern Virginia area.

Erik Carter || Erik Carter, Ph.D., is Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University. His research and writing focus on principle-driven and research-based strategies for promoting full participation, relationships, and valued roles for children and adults with developmental disabilities. He serves as Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities, which aims to promote the thriving of people with disabilities and their families. Dr. Carter’s scholarship addresses the spiritual lives and flourishing of people with disabilities and their families, the ministry practices and postures of local congregations, and faith-based partnerships with disability service systems.

Steve Chatman || Steve serves as Vice President of Rising Above Ministries in Cookeville, TN. He and his wife Lori have 5 children including two daughters with Down Syndrome. He spent nearly 30 years in pastoral ministry before joining Rising Above in 2022. As VP of Rising Above, he oversees the family engagement ministry and connects with community leaders to help them better serve the special needs community…and he takes the office trash out on Thursdays!

Sarah Coffey || Sarah Coffey is the Programs Director with 99 Balloons where she equips & encourages churches and communities in the work of building inclusive communities so that every person is fully part of all they do. A friendship at 9 years old (and continued friendships along the way) led her to be part of Special Olympics, and then work in Special Education, to becoming a caregiver for some of her closest friends experiencing disability, and leading + consulting disability ministries. Sarah and her husband live in Northwest Arkansas with their two dogs! Her biggest hope is that people may grow in proximity with one another and recognize the mutual value in our shared stories.

Zach Coffin || Rev. Zach Coffin has been pastoring since he was 19 years old and preaching since he was 16 years old. With an extensive background in ministry and leadership, Zach has served in various capacities, including children's pastor, youth pastor, and next-gen pastor, in churches of all sizes across the country. His commitment to empowering individuals and churches to embrace a Holy Spirit-led life and ministry is evident through his passionate preaching, thought-provoking teachings, and presence-driven coaching. He has two bachelor's degrees in Christian Ministry and Christian Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. A master's degree in Pastoral Theology from Kingswood University, with his final project focusing on "Living for Revival." Connect more at zachcoffin.com

Heather Croas || Heather Croas is a Certified Peer Specialist and a Whole Health Action Management Coach who resides in Cartersville, GA. Diagnosed with a mental illness at an early age, Heather was able to find solace through the lens of a camera, and she learned to use art as a way to communicate her thoughts and emotions. As an adult, her personal struggles with mental illness motivated her to assist others on their journey to wellness and using her own experiences, she assists others in learning coping and self-help strategies.

Robert Crosby || Robert Crosby, PhD, is the executive director of Reach Hurting Kids Institue and Professor of Psychology at California Baptist University. A former youth pastor with over twenty-five years’ experience in children’s and youth ministry, he is a leading scholar in the field of children’s ministry research. Dr. Crosby is the co-author of "Trauma-Informed Children's Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids."

Lori Crosby || Lori Crosby, MFT, RPT-S, is the content director of Reach Hurting Kids Institute, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor who specializes in treating children who have experienced trauma. She is the co-author of "Trauma-Informed Children's Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reaching Hurting Kids."

Tiffany Crow || Tiffany Crow (MA, BCBA, LBA) is Behavior Analyst who provides ABA therapy to families, individuals and staff in the clinical setting. Tiffany also provides behavioral consultations within school districts, religious organizations and nonprofits. Tiffany is Owner and Clinical Director of Intentional Actions: A Behavior Analytic Approach, LLC. Tiffany has worked in public education as a general education teacher, a special education teacher, a member of a multi-campus Autism team as well as a consultant. Tiffany is an international speaker that is passionate about sharing logical and practical behavior analytic strategies to better equip others to include everyone.

Laura Deeken || Laura Deeken is a speech-language pathologist and owner of The Adapted Word, which provides tips and digital resources for children with disabilities. When she’s not researching language disorders, Laura loves creating curriculum, volunteering in her church’s disability ministry, and going to musicals.

Sydney Dougherty || Sydney is a Virginia and native and a graduate of George Mason University. Hired by Masterpiece Alliance in 2023, Sydney as a Ministry Staff Associate, Sydney serves the community of adults with disabilities in the Roanoke Valley by helping to create opportunities to foster rich, life-giving, inclusive friendships and community.

Timofey Dovgalyuk || Timofey was born in Riga, Latvia and grew up in the Soviet Union. The Dovgalyuk family moved to the Washington DC area in 1991. Following his graduation from the University of Virginia with a degree in Architecture Timofey and his wife Andrea founded several businesses and non-profits throughout the United States and Eastern Europe. Over the past two decades, Timofey has been practicing and teaching healthy leadership principles to non-profit and business leaders worldwide. The aim of Timofey’s leadership training and workshops is to give pastors and leaders practical ways to make their organizations and communities spaces where people with disabilities would find a place to belong. Timofey is a husband, a father of four, a ministry leader, and an entrepreneur. He resides in Washington, DC.

Kristin & Todd Evans || Kristin Faith Evans, MA, MS, LMSW and Todd Evans, PhD, MA Dr. Todd and Kristin Evans are award-winning authors, speakers, and parents of two children with complex needs. Their new book, How to Build a Thriving Marriage as You Care for Children with Disabilities, will release by Baker Books in May 2024. They both earned their MA in Christian Educational Ministries at Wheaton College in Illinois and have served together in full-time ministry in church, camping, and retreat settings. Todd received his PhD from Vanderbilt University’s School of Engineering and currently manages his own business, and Kristin earned her MSW from the University of Tennessee and is a Licensed Master Social Worker experienced in couples, child and family, substance abuse, and crisis counseling.

John Felageller || John Felageller is the Ministry Relations Manager at Joni and Friends Chicago, working with churches to equip and train them to help the disabled in their communities. Previous to that, he spent almost 20 years in education, working with children from Infants to Middle School, serving in a variety of roles including Teacher, Mentor Teacher and School Director. John lives in Round Lake, IL and is a single father to his son Christopher (ASD). He is a public speaker, multiple podcast guest, and regular contributor to Key Ministry’s Special Needs Family blog, as well as other special needs blogs including Hope Anew and The Mighty. Connect with John on his website: www.johnfelageller.com

Alfonso Feria || Al served in cross-cultural ministry in France (20 years) & Ivory Coast (2 years). His world turned to disability ministry when his youngest child JP was diagnosed with autism under age 3 in 2014. This led his family from Paris to northern New Jersey, where he gained knowledge & experience with disability ministry. Surprisingly in early 2023, God gave him a vision for helping facilitate disability ministry in France. He founded JP's Ability Hope in November 2022 in order to focus purely on disability ministry.

Beth Golik || Beth Golik is part of the Key Ministry team, an organization that provides knowledge, innovation, and experience to the worldwide church as it ministers to and with families of kids with disabilities. She is a co-host for Key Ministry: The Podcast and hosts monthly video roundtable discussions for ministry leaders across the country. Beth also serves as the Director of Disability Engagement at Bay Presbyterian Church in suburban Cleveland, Ohio.

Melanie Gomez || Melanie Gomez and her husband of 30 years have two grown sons, the youngest of whom was born with a rare genetic disorder. In addition to working full time as a Talent Development Manager for a large global corporation, she founded Redefine Special to share encouragement and hope to young special needs families. A continuation of this work has led to authoring Bundle of Joy and Building Family Unity While Navigating Special Needs.

Rebekah Gouch || Rebekah Gouch serves as the Director of Marketing and Communications at The Banquet Network. Rebekah was blessed to grow up in a household with a brother who has special needs. She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Liberty University. Rebekah is passionate about equipping individuals with the knowledge and resources they need to best be the hands and feet of Christ.

Stephen Grcevich || Dr. Stephen Grcevich (MD, Northeast Ohio Medical University) is a child and adolescent psychiatrist serving as President and Founder of Key Ministry. Dr. Grcevich is the primary spokesperson and vision caster for Key, leads efforts to build collaborations with pastors, leaders, and other ministry organizations and serves as Program Chair for Disability and the Church, Key’s national disability ministry conference. His writing on disability ministry-related topics has been featured by Breakpoint, the ERLC, D6, Outreach Magazine, the American Association of Christian Counselors and the National Association of Evangelicals. His book, Mental Health and the Church (Zondervan, 2018) presents a strategy for evangelism and outreach with individuals and families impacted by mental illness. In addition to his work for Key Ministry, Dr. Grcevich is an experienced clinician, researcher, and medical school professor with over 35 presentations at major medical conferences, a past recipient of the Exemplary Psychiatrist Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) and a participant in the 2019 White House Summit on Mental Health.

Scott Habeeb || Scott believes God uses the disabilities world to show people how He intended humans to interact with one another - with a complete lack of pretension and nothing but love! As the executive director for Masterpiece Alliance, Scott and his team are building a community for people of ALL abilities in Virginia's Roanoke Valley, while also helping local churches build spaces of belonging and meaningful roles for people with disabilities. Beyond Masterpiece Alliance, Scott is a parent to an adult child with autism, a volunteer Capernaum leader, and a veteran public school educator. In each of those roles, God has used the disabilities world to reveal His goodness to Scott and his family. Scott and his wife, Julie, reside in Salem, Virginia, have been married for 29 years, and have 4 children and 2 grandchildren.

Lamar Hardwick || In 2014, after years of silently struggling with social anxiety and sensory processing issues, Lamar Hardwick, D.Min., was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at the age of 36. Today he serves as an autism advocate and conference speaker, helping to educate and train churches and faith communities about autism awareness, acceptance, and advocacy. Dr. Hardwick is a father, husband, pastor, and author. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Emory University as well as a Doctor of Ministry degree from Liberty University School of Divinity. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Divinity Clergy Scholar Program and a 2017 graduate of Georgia Forward’s Young Game-changers Program, which included 50 of the state of Georgia’s top thinkers, innovators, and leaders under the age of 40. He is currently pursuing a PhD in ethics. Dr. Hardwick is a contributing writer to multiple blogs and magazines including The Mighty, Key Ministry, Christianity Today, Huffington Post, Autism Parenting Magazine, and Zoom Autism Magazine. He is the author of Epic Church (2017) as well as his best-selling book, I am Strong: The Life and Journey of an Autistic Pastor (2017). He is the lead pastor of Tri-Cities Church in Atlanta, GA. His Most Recent Project is Disability and The Church: A Vision for Diversity and Inclusion published by InterVarsity Press in 2021.

Misty Harper-Anderson || Misty oversees day-to-day strategic operations at Walk Right In Ministries, provides supervision for the ministry team, develops relationships with partners, and participates in ministry to caregivers. She holds a Master of Divinity from Grand Canyon University and is a certified Prepare and Enrich Facilitator, having worked with both engaged couples as well as those who have been navigating marriage for years. She is passionate about Christ-like, servant leadership. Outside of Walk Right In Ministries, she also teaches at Bethel University, speaks at various events, and enjoys sharing about life’s journey via photography and blog writing. Beyond her professional life, she enjoys time with her husband and their family.

Jill Hartsfield || Jill Hartsfield is the Programming Director for the Embrace Community Day Program at Brentwood Baptist Church just outside Nashville, TN. Jill received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Special Education from The Florida State University, specializing in teaching students on the Autism Spectrum. She taught special education in the public school system for 5 years before jumping into full-time disability ministry. Jill and the Embrace Ministry Team have a passion for reaching church and community members impacted by disability by creating a place for people of all abilities to build community, serve, and grow in Christ. Out of this desire, Jill and her team built the Embrace Community Day Program which currently serves over 35 adults impacted by disability each week on the Brentwood Baptist Church campus.

Kerri-Ann Hayes || Kerri-Ann Hayes is a consultant with Ministry Architects and the author of The Accessible Church. She has served in children's and family ministry for over twenty years. She has spent the last 13 years focused on making the church accessible to families with disabilities or traumatic backgrounds. Kerri-Ann and her husband Tom live in Clermont, Florida, where they raised their three children, Brenna, Mackenzie, and Cameron.

Brad Hoefs || Pastor Brad Hoefs is an ordained pastor and member of the Association of Free Lutheran Congregations, and has been pastoring since 1985. Brad currently serves as the pastor of Anchor of Hope Church in Omaha, Nebraska. Brad founded Fresh Hope for Mental Health in 2009, and is the author of Fresh Hope: Living Well in Spite of a Mental Health Diagnosis, published in 2013. In addition to leading Fresh Hope, Brad is a state-certified Peer Support Specialist, and was appointed by Governor Heineman of Nebraska to serve on the state advisory committee on mental health services. Brad also serves as the Executive Director of WorshipOutlet.com. Brad has been been married to his college sweetheart, Donna, for 34 years, is the proud father of two adult children, and ‘Papa’ to 3 grandsons and 1 granddaughter.

Dan & Stephanie Holmes || Rev. Dan and Rev. Dr. Stephanie Holmes share from their lived experience as parents of kids with needs and differences (ASD/ADHD) as well as their professional lives coaching marriages and families impacted by special needs. Dan was later in life diagnosed on the spectrum, which formed their focus on marriage on the spectrum. Dr. Holmes combines her previous professional counselling experience and lived experience to provide hope for the journey ahead. Their family wrote a book together from a four person perspective, "Embracing the Autism Spectrum: Finding Hope & Joy Navigating the Neurodiverse family system."

Charla Holst || Charla Holst, OTR/L, serves as founder and President of Overcomer Ministries, Inc. where she provides Christ-Centered Occupational Therapy Consultation, training, sensory regulation tools and resources to churches, ministries, and the public to overcome obstacles to Jesus. Her vision is for people of all abilities to have access to learn about Jesus, worship with fellow believers, grow in discipleship and serve in ministry. Overcomer Ministries, Inc. has recently become an official Shine On: Tim Tebow Foundation Contributor. During her 30-year career, she has authored 3 books: Empowering Occupational Therapy, All That I Want To Be and Control Is My Goal. Charla and her husband Dave have 2 adult children and they have worked together in ministry for over 3 decades of marriage. She is an active member of her local church as Disability Ministry Leader and Children’s Bible Study Teacher.

Stephanie Hubach || Stephanie Hubach is a Research Fellow in Disability Ministries and a Visiting Instructor in Educational Ministries in affiliation with Covenant Theological Seminary. From 2007-2016 she served as Mission to North America’s Special Needs Ministries Founding Director. Mission to North America (MNA) is associated with the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Steph currently serves on the Key Ministry Board of Directors, the Wheaton Center on Faith and Disability Advisory Board. Steph is the author of Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in Gods’ Presence (P&R Publishers, 2021), and Same Lake, Different Boat: Coming Alongside People Touched by Disability (P&R Publishers, 2006; Revised and Expanded 2020). Steph and her husband Fred have been married for 40 years. They have two deeply loved sons: Fred and Tim, the younger of whom has Down syndrome.

Stephen “Doc” Hunsley || Stephen “Doc” Hunsley, M.D. is the Executive Director and founder of SOAR Special Needs in Kansas. SOAR serves over 1000 individuals with disabilities through regular respite events and the Nation’s largest Disability Summer Day Camps. Doc is assisting over 550 churches globally in starting a Disability Ministry. Doc also organizes the Wonderfully Made Conference held every October in Kansas City. Doc is a retired pediatrician while his wife, Kay, continues practicing pediatrics. The Hunsley’s middle child, Mark, is presently running the halls of heaven. During Mark’s five-year earthly stay, he gave his family the opportunity to learn from and love a child with autism.

Lisa Jamieson || Lisa Jamieson is an author and pastoral counselor to caregivers and their families. She co-founded Walk Right In Ministries, a non-profit interdenominational organization helping caregivers in families with disability walk abundantly in life, faith, and relationships. She is passionate about helping caregivers experience soul-fueling lives in their calling. Lisa and Larry have three grown daughters. Their youngest, Carly, has Angelman Syndrome and lives at home with them in Minnesota. Her books and Bible studies include Finding Glory in the Thorns and Jesus, Let’s Talk

Cortney Jenkins || Cortney Jenkins is a former special education teacher who originally went to school for Biblical studies. She has combined her passion for Biblical literacy with her experience in special education to create Awe & Wonder’s Adapted Bible Curriculum. She is committed to making the Gospel message accessible to everyone. Cortney serves on staff alongside her husband at Element Church in Forest City, NC where they live with their two children.

Beth Jones || Beth earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction, with a concentration in special education, from Louisiana State University. She also holds a Master of Education in Educational Psychology, with specializations in special education and school counseling, and a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (graduated Cum Laude), with a concentration in special education, both from Texas A&M University. Beth has a total of seven years of public school teaching experience, five years as the lead special education teacher for her respective campuses, and the experience of teaching both resource reading/language arts and mathematics (grades K-6). Beth is currently an Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator at Texas A&M University-Commerce (TAMU-C). Her research interests and service focus on visual impairments, assistive technology, and collaboration with families. Beth has optic nerve atrophy, a condition she inherited from her father who she frequently presents with to parents and families of students with visual impairments. Beth has a visual acuity of around 20/200, and both her son and daughter share the same condition.

David Jones || David is a board member and instructor at Benevolence United. With a love for God and a passion for serving his community, David has worked as a Firefighter and EMT for over 18 years and volunteered in church communities as a youth leader and children's ministry leader for over 10 years. David has personal experience with the hard work and great rewards of families with special needs. David holds an AS in Business Management from NOVA and an AS in Fire Science and a BS in Fire Administration from Columbia Southern University. David is also a certified trainer in Risk Management, Incident Management, Leadership, Hazardous Materials, and Therapeutic Options.

Samantha Jones || Samantha Jones believes that every person is made in the image of God, valuable, and needed. Passionate about connecting others to a relationship with Christ and discipleship, she is the founder and CEO of Benevolence United. Samantha is also a proud parent of children with disabilities and has worked in ministry for over 2 decades now.

Tom Jones || Tom is the executive director of the Faith Inclusion Network. He was the founder and executive director of Sharing Hands A Respite Experience (SHARE), a nonprofit that provides support programs for families of children with disabilities. Tom has taught elementary special education for 25 years in the Midland Independent School District. He is an ordained minister in charge of Stephen Ministry, and Inclusion Ministry at First Christian Church in Midland, Texas.

Amy Kendall || Amy Kendall is the NextGen Disabilities and Mental Health pastor for almost 17 years at Saddleback Church and oversees these ministries at all their campuses both locally and internationally. Before working at Saddleback, she worked for 10 years in the educational sector as a behavior specialist, specializing with children on the autism spectrum. Amy graduated from Pacific Christian College with her BA in Ministry and from Hope International University with her MA in Marriage, Family, Child Counseling. Amy also has an adult son with multiple disabilities and believes that she is a better pastor because she got the blessing to be his mom.

Rev. Dr. Milton Keys || Reverend Doctor Milton Keys was born with cerebral palsy. Despite being given a two-year life expectancy and expectation of severe cognitive disabilities Milton has earned three degrees. He is an accomplished musician and producer, preacher, and teacher. Keys has produced and released 15 musical albums, 4 plays, one ballet and held 8 youth summits. Milton’s passion for education is realized through his work developing young artists and as Chief Technical Officer and Instructional Coach at Indy Urban Youth Music Academy. Keys became an ordained minister in 2007, received a Masters of Divinity from Christian Theological Seminary in May 2017 and his Doctorate in Ministry from Christian Theological Seminary in May 2022.

Lori Konopasek || Lori is the Vice President of Student Affairs at Shepherds College, a three-year post-secondary college for people with disabilities. She has been working in the disability field for over 18 years and is an advocate and promoter of employment, increased independent living, and educational opportunities for people with disabilities. Lori is also a mom to a son with disabilities.

Marie Kuck || Marie Kuck is Co-founder of Nathaniel’s Hope, a ministry that celebrates kids with special needs (VIPs) and equips the local church for ministry to this community. As a Mom to a VIP in heaven, author, and former youth pastor, Marie is passionate to help you minister to God’s unique kids and their families. Marie and her husband are also building a place called “HOPETOWN,” an inspiring and inclusive “live, work, play” community that will serve kids, adults, and families living with disability.

Terisha Lee || Terisha Lee holds a masters degree in child and family studies with an emphasis in parent education and has earned a PhD in practical theology. Terisha’s mission is to facilitate conversations surrounding Faith, Race, & Disabilities in an effort to foster stronger relations between the academy, community & the church. This Kentucky native now resides in south Florida with her husband and 3 children.

Lisa Mattheiss || Lisa Mattheiss has served for over 25 years as ministry leader, advisor, and advocate. Parent of an adult daughter with spina bifida, Lisa is also the Founder/Executive Director of LifeLine, Inc. a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parachurch organization that encourages families and equips churches through support, education, and resources. Lisa has been instrumental in the launch, development and growth of multiple church special needs ministries, training and equipping churches to increase access and inclusion for individuals with disabilities and their families in congregational worship, educational programming and fellowship activities. Lisa has also served Christ First Church for the last 7 years as Special Needs Ministry Coordinator, integrating ministry to and by those with disabilities throughout all existing and new programs of the church.

Donna McCrary || Dr. McCrary is the director of Disability Ministries at Cliff Temple Baptist Church and teaches a Bible Study class for adults with severe disabilities.

Kristin McKee || Kristin McKee has worked with special needs individuals for the past 18 years. Her experience includes working with all disabilities within a school setting and then narrowed to working with individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in a clinical setting. She is currently employed at Mississippi Center for Autism and other Related Developmental Disabilities (MCARDD). Kristin holds a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master’s in applied behavior analysis. She is a certified behavior analyst and is licensed to provide services in the state of MS. Kristin has worked with students pre-K through college age within the church setting and has a brother on the spectrum. Kristin currently lives and practices in MS.

Amy Meekins || Amy Meekins is an author, speaker, YouTuber, and the administrative assistant at Champions4Parents.com. Being born with CHARGE Syndrome, no one knew how Amy would develop and what she would be able to achieve in her life. Her prognosis was “blind, deaf, mentally challenged, probably will not be able to walk, talk or eat by mouth.” She is grateful to God for all that He has allowed her to accomplish in her 28 years. To learn more about Amy go to AmyChristineMeekins.com, HeartReCharge.com, and Champions4Parents.com.

Tom & Julie Meekins || Tom, Julie, and Amy Meekins are the founders and directors of Champions4Parents.com which is a ministry dedicated to providing love, support, and resources to parents of individuals impacted by disabilities and also providing ministry folks with training, resources, and love, as those in ministry seek to support these families. Since Amy was born 28 years ago, they have been involved in disability ministry in one fashion or another. They started out 25 years ago hosting special needs conferences, spent years giving parent support across many channels, and added in equipping those who work with individuals with disabilities in churches. All of this culminated in officially starting the ministry and using each of their personal experiences and God-given gifts to support many aspects of the disability community.

Katherine Meiners || Katherine serves as the University Relations Manager for Joni and Friends Global Missions and Internships Department based at the Christian Institute on Disability in Agoura Hills, CA. She attained her Master’s in Christian Ministry with a concentration in Biblical Studies from Grace University in Omaha, NE. The best part of her job is serving families living with disabilities and igniting the hearts of the next generation of disability ministry leaders and young professionals for the Kingdom of God.

Laura Mitchell || Laura Mitchell grew up in Illinois with a younger sister who has multiple physical and intellectual disabilities. She graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University with a double major in Mild and Intense Interventions and taught moderate to severe disabilities for six and a half years. During that time, she started serving as a volunteer in the disability ministry at Grace Church in 2008 and joined staff as the Disability Director in 2009. Laura and her husband, Jason, have two boys and live north of Indianapolis.

Jeffrey Moore || Jeff is an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church whose passion is to bring a vision to fellow pastors for becoming churches that welcome and include people with disabilities as integral parts of the Body of Christ. He has taught and equipped pastors in Kenya and Ethiopia, as well as co-authored "The Family Table: The Place We All Belong" sermon series and study guide with the Rev. Dr. Karen Roberts. Jeff is Senior Pastor of Lebanon Presbyterian Church in Lebanon, OH and is married to Stephanie, who works with Special Education elementary students. Together they have four children.

Chris Morris || Chris Morris is a passionate mental health advocate dedicated to promoting understanding of mental health issues within the church. Because of a lifelong struggle with depression and suicidality, Chris became committed to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health and encouraging others to seek after holistic health. As a writer and speaker, Chris has shared his personal story and insights with audiences across the country, inspiring many individuals to take control of their own health, break free from poor theological teaching placed upon them, and seek the support they need. He has published several books on mental health and his work has been featured in a number of media outlets, including CrossWalk, The Mighty, and Fathom Magazine.

Ruth Nelson || Dr. Ruth Nelson teaches at Bethel University in the undergraduate program in developmental psychology and disability studies. She is a nationally certified school psychologist whose research interests are in the areas of developmental disabilities, psychoeducational/psychosocial interventions for individuals with disabilities across the life span, helping pastoral staff respond well to women of faith with disabilities experiencing interpersonal violence and promoting inclusion and belonging in churches through listening to families and training pastoral staff and volunteers.

Brian & Natalie Page || Brian, is a Vice President of Strategic Partnerships where he serves major donors on behalf of two special needs ministries; Elim Christian Services and Shepherds College. His professional passion is fueled by his personal experience advocating for their miracle son, who has an intellectual and developmental disability. Dr. Natalie Page, is a veteran university professor and senior executive currently serving as Vice President of Student Success and Inclusion. Natalie is a compassionate mother, who partners with her husband in negotiating the unique challenges of raising a differently abled child. Together, the Pages share a message of faith, determination and an unwavering commitment to providing every possible opportunity for their son. Their journey serves as a source of inspiration for families facing similar circumstances, emphasizing the transformative power of trust in God. Brian and Natalie have been married for over three decades and live in the suburbs of Chicago. They have been blessed with two sons, one daughter and one daughter in love.

Jillian Palmiotto || Jillian Palmiotto is the Founder of the Together Conference and the Executive Director of Together We Care. Her nonprofit organization serves as a parachurch ministry that focuses on meeting the everyday needs of families impacted by disability and equipping organizations for disability inclusion. She holds a BA in Early Childhood Education and a MA in Inclusive Education. Jillian is also a licensed minister and serves as the special needs coordinator at West Ridge Church. Jillian is married to her husband, Anthony, and they have two children, Samantha and Nicholas.

Susan Pannell || Susan Pannell has served at Church of the Highlands in Birmingham, Alabama as the Director of their Disability Ministry for ten years. During her tenure, she has developed in conjunction with her team, programs that include a Sunday experience for children, teenagers, and adults who need accommodations to know God, learn about Jesus, and experience the Holy Spirit. Currently, Highlands has 24 campuses in Alabama and Georgia and has Haven support at 16 of the locations. Additionally, Susan has shared with other churches how to start and sustain a disability ministry by speaking at nationwide conferences and through a course on the Highlands Resource site. Mark and Susan have been married for 19 years and they have a 16-year-old son who is on the Autism Spectrum. Susan enjoys spending time with her family, having adventures in nature, and traveling.

Elizabeth Paul || Elizabeth is from the USA, and has been serving as a missionary in a Muslim country in Central Asia for nearly two decades, and serving people with disabilities in this location for over a decade. With her team, the prayer and vision is that spiritual communities (churches) would form as they serve the disability community through medical, education and social spheres. They work to mobilize and train the local church to participate in God transforming people with disabilities from objects of shame and curse to conduits of honor and blessing for their whole families, clans and villages.

Montreece Payton-Hardy || Montreece Payton-Hardy, with over 20 years in leadership, has honed her expertise in disability life experiences, mental health, and DEI, underpinned by her faith-based perspective. As a woman living with blindness and visual impairment and ADHD (and still believing God for healing), she is a writer, speaker, and certified Faith-Based Mental Health Facilitator. She addresses accessibility, belonging, inclusion, diversity, and equity (ABIDE) and mental wellness with a spiritual touch, blending advocacy and teaching. She has spoken in webinars for the National Career Development Association and the CPA Academy presenting Disability Education topics and the American Foundation of the Blind’s Blind Leadership Development Professional Fellowship Program. Montreece has written extensively on various topics, including Christian education, pedagogical Bible lessons (Children's Sunday School), motherhood, parenting, marriage, mental health, inclusion, and access.

Sandra Peoples || Sandra Peoples (M Div, PhD student) is the disability ministry consultant for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, an adjunct professor for Liberty University, and the author of Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family. She and her family live outside of Houston, TX.

Alexai Perez || Alexai Perez is a disability advocate and co-founder of Accord Life Leaders, a para-ministry that disciples and mentors adults with disabilities to enable them to use their gifts to accomplish the work God wants them to do at church, in the workplace, on the mission field, and across all aspects of life. She is a wife and mother of five children. Her oldest daughter is blessed with Down syndrome and autism and serves as the primary inspiration for Perez's kingdom work. Perez received a Certificate in Disability Ministry from United Theological Seminary in 2021 and currently works as the Administrative Coordinator at the Autism Society of Florida.

Jolene Philo || Jolene Philo is the parent and daughter of loved ones with special needs and disabilities. She is a former educator who created inclusive classrooms for all learners for 25 years. She’s the author of several books for families impacted by disability including Does My Child Have PTSD? She also co-author Sharing Love Abundantly with Special Needs Families: The 5 Love Languages® for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities with Dr. Gary Chapman. Her award winning blog, www.DifferentDream.com, provides encouragement and resources for caregiving families. See Jane Dance!, the third book in her mystery series that features characters with disabilities, was released in October of 2023.

Cynthia Pounds || Cynthia Pounds is a wife and a mother from the East Texas area. She and her husband, Will Pounds, have an adult son, Haydon, and a teenage daughter, Caroline. Both of their children are affected by disabilities. While she enjoys being outdoors and learning new things, her passion is caring for families impacted by disabilities and helping others learn how to support others similarly. Cynthia has served in the children's ministry at her church for the past 9 years in various roles. In 2019 with the Lord's calling and direction, Cynthia launched the Action Special Needs Ministry of Harmony Hill Baptist Church. She continues to lead and strengthen this ministry and is also currently an assistant to her children’s minister. Recently she was given the opportunity to begin serving with the Southern Baptist of Texas Convention as a disability ministry regional specialist. She is excited to see the awareness of the need for disability ministry rise and to help others take steps to make the Gospel more widely accessible to all people.

Saurym Quezada || Saurym Quezada is a licensed teacher in K-6th Elementary Education and K-12th Exceptional Student Education with an Autism endorsement; certified in Advanced TEFL/TESOL, and job development services through the Division of Blind Services. She has over 7 years of experience in both general and special education instructional practices across Pk-12th primary and secondary classrooms locally and internationally. She earned a bachelor's degree in Christian Ministry from Trinity International University and a master's degree in special education from Florida Atlantic University. She is currently a doctoral student and graduate research assistant at Florida State University (FSU). Her research interests include transition across the lifespan, comorbid developmental disabilities (e.g., autism and blindness), inclusion/belonging, and international special education.

Karen Roberts || Rev. Dr. Karen Roberts leads the Disability Ministries of First Presbyterian Church (EPC) of Aurora, IL providing pastoral care for individuals and families affected by disability in the congregation and community. Karen directs the Church Initiative for Living with Hope, an international ministry that brings the gift of mobility and the hope of Christ to people with disabilities in Kenya. She is the author of Shout for Joy and Beyond Our Church Walls, published by Joni and Friends. She co-authored "The Family Table" The Place We All Belong" sermon series and study guide with the Rev. Jeffrey Moore.

Barry Rodriguez || Barry Rodriguez is the lead pastor of Grace Church in Noblesville, Indiana. He is a Bible nerd, world-traveler, and history buff. He is passionate about global justice, creation care, and the protection of the vulnerable. Barry and his wife, Olivia, have an organic animal rescue farm where they have adopted and fostered over 90 potbelly pigs, chickens, rabbits, and dogs.

Andrea Roseman || In 2012, God called Andrea to start Access Ministry at Lynwood Church, in Cape Girardeau. In the fall of 2022, Andrea accepted a position on staff at Lynwood, as the Access Ministry Director. In addition to leading Access, Andrea currently serves on the Grace Coffee + Café board of directors. Andrea was one of B Magazine’s 2018 Newsmakers of the Year, Zonta Club’s Women of the Year Nominees in 2020, and received the Outstanding Partners Award from Heartland Down Syndrome Association in 2022, for her work with individuals with special needs.

Linda Santana Arroyo || Linda Santana Arroyo is a wife, mom, and caregiver to her youngest adult daughter. She is a retired Elementary school teacher, certified life coach, and author of REST QUEST: Your Path to be Refreshed, Renewed and Revitalized...for Life. Linda is passionate about encouraging other caregivers overwhelmed with life's demands to start their quest for rest, a personalized path toward daily renewal. Her hope is for many to experience strength in all realms of their everyday life: physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual.

TyiaLynn Scott || Alongside her husband, Beau, TyiaLynn Scott is the mother of three wonderfully unique children, ranging from college to elementary school. After years of struggling to learn how to manage her own daughter's life-threatening condition, in 2015, she founded Critically Loved, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families of critically and chronically ill children navigate a difficult road. She has authored Critically Loved: a Bible study for parents of critically and chronically ill children, Beyond Measure a study in collaboration with MOPS, Int, and co-authored Building Family Unity While Navigating Special Needs.

Lori Sealy || “Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come ….” John Newton’s words are an apt description of Lori Sealy’s life. Conceived in adultery, nearly aborted, adopted in infancy, and later abandoned by her adoptive parents, Lori traveled the road of atheism before being met by Christ’s mercy - and all of these things happened while living with autism. Four years ago, her beloved husband of 25 years, Phillip Sealy, died of metastatic melanoma. Having lived a life of trial upon trial, Lori has had a front row seat in the school of suffering for several decades. Thankfully, she has had a tender teacher in Jesus—the Man of Sorrows who is intimately acquainted with grief and overflowing with “amazing grace.” Her deepest desire as a songwriter, speaker, and worship leader is to make much of the Savior who has shown Himself sufficient in every scene of her story. In spite of the “many dangers, toils, and snares” that frowning providence has painfully placed upon her path, Lori continues to see examples of the certainty that “The Lord has promised good to me, His Word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.” Soli Deo Gloria! Lori began playing piano at the age of five and was cla ssically trained until the age of twenty. At age ten she started writing her first songs—creating compositions that fell eclectically along folk, jazz, classical, rock, and electronic genres. Growing up in South Carolina, she now lives in Cullowhee, NC, with her two college-age children—Joshua and Elizabeth. For more information on Lori visit www.lorisealy.com.

Joel Sheagren || Joel brings over 30 years of production and filmmaking experience, including a CLIO, a film on Hulu, and 21 years of FASD parenting. Joel is motivated by strong stories, compassion, and empathy toward people diagnosed with FASD and those who love them.

Hannah Speiller || Hannah joined the Shepherds College team in 2017 as the Lead Instructor and again in 2022 as an Instructional Designer for SC Online. Hannah has extensive experience in creating engaging, accessible, and effective lessons for all learners. Hannah was an integral part of the development and implementation of Shepherds College's remote learning program in 2020, which resulted in the creation of Shepherds College Online.

Barbara Stanley || Barb Stanley is the Founder and President of Wonderful Works Ministry, an online disability ministry resource center that specializes in creating volunteer-friendly training videos. She has a background in church administration, ministry mobilization and also started her church’s disability ministry, 139 Kids. Barb grew up with a brother who has Autism and is a passionate advocate for disability ministry. She lives in Ohio with her husband, Brandon, and two sons. To learn more, visit wonderfulworks.net

Sydney Stelmaszek || Sydney and her husband, Brett, live in Pittsburgh, PA with their three boys, Isaac (12), Judah (10), and Emmitt (5) who has a rare genetic condition known as SynGAP1. He was diagnosed at 18 months after nearly a year of searching for answers while living in southern Africa. After moving back to the USA in 2019, Sydney continues to work with Life Child Africa Foundation as their USA Fund Developer. She is active in the Syngap Research Fund community as a Board Member and through fundraising, patient engagement and research advocacy.

Aimée Stork || Aimée Stork is an educator passionate about helping others to understand how our brains learn best and how to capitalize on the unique ways that each of us think and learn. She spent 15 years in public education as a teacher and teacher coach before becoming Senior Manager of Online Education at Joni and Friends, a global disability ministry. She lives with her husband Todd in Ventura, California, and loves to see their three adult children and two grandchildren any time she can.

Amy Troyer || Amy is the Special Needs Ministry Director at The Chapel in Green, Ohio. She is a consultant to churches and provides training for ministry leaders and volunteers who want to include people of All Abilities better. Amy is the author of "It's More Ups Than Downs". She has been happily married to her husband, Mark, for 29 years, and they have two beautiful children, Abby and Ryan. After Ryan's birth in 2001 and his diagnosis of Down Syndrome, Amy had a calling placed on her heart to help and encourage new parents with children with varied abilities. She shares the beautiful blessings of having a child with Down Syndrome and highlights the ups and downs of this journey, emphasizing that there are always more ups.

Mary Underwood || Mary Underwood is a blogger and speaker based out of Northern VA. She is the creator of What Empty Nest where she provides encouragement and resources to caregivers who find their “nests” are not-so-empty. She is no stranger to caregiving and has volunteered in special needs ministry for the past decade as well as having friends and family affected by disability and mental health issues.

Dan Vander Plaats || Dan Vander Plaats is the Vice President of Development for Acts 29 a global network devoted to church planting. In 2009 he developed “The 5 Stages: Changing Attitudes” to help churches and individuals assess and change their attitudes toward people with disabilities which is currently under the stewardship of the Center for Faith and Disability at Wheaton College. Dan is the author of "Changing Attitudes about Disability" and a co-editor of "Everybody Belongs, Serving Together: Inclusive Church Ministry with People with Disabilities". He is married to Denise (Hiemstra) and is father to Ben and Emma.

Leah Whicker || Leah Whicker is the Special Education Consultant for Wonderful Works Ministry, an online disability ministry resource center, that helps equip churches to serve families affected by disability. She has a background in education and has professional experience as an Intervention Specialist. She also serves in her church’s disability ministry, 139 Kids, and is passionate about equipping churches to have their own disability ministries. Leah is married, and she and her husband, Chris, have two school-aged children.

Victoria White || Victoria White serves as Program Director at With Ministries. Her experience and passion in education and ministry collide in her writing, speaking, consulting and training for congregations, equipping them to build belonging with people of all abilities.

Sherri Wirt || Sherri Wirt is a ministry inclusion consultant and piano teacher from Saint Louis, MO. She and her husband, Rusty, have been in ministry for 30 years and are parents to Samuel (20) and Star (18), both of whom live with disabilities. In her spare time, Sherri enjoys playing and signing for the worship team, working with the children's ministry, and can often be found reading late at night.

Ryan Wolfe || Ryan Wolfe, the President of Ability Ministry, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the emerging field of Disability Ministry. He completed 15 years of local church ministry at First Christian Church in Canton, OH where he was the full-time Disability Ministry Pastor. He spent time as a Church Consultant for Key Ministry and is also a featured speaker.

QUICK TAKES

Shepherding All God's People: Essential Roles of a Lead Pastor - Rev. Jeffrey Moore || Lead pastors chart the course of ministry in their churches. This quick take uncovers the essential roles a lead Pastor may consider in order to support a flourishing Disability Ministry in their church.

Solo But Not Alone - Becky Davidson || Parenting a child with disabilities is stressful and isolating. When you are a single parent, more layers are added to your family dynamics. In this Quick Take, Becky Davidson will share from her personal experience as a ministry leader and a solo parent to her adult son with special needs, to help church leaders learn how they can come alongside and love and support single parents who are raising children with disabilities.

Special Needs Marriage and Divorce: What's the Deal? - Steve Chatman || Do married couples who are caring for a child with disabilities/special needs really have the highest divorce rate in the country? Is the divorce rate for these couples really 80% or higher? Are special needs dads most likely to be vacant dads? Is there any evidence to support these claims? The truth is not really! This talk will be a quick reminder of what the data actually tells us and why we need to be sharing it with others.

How to Recognize Traumatic Stress in Youth, and Ways Youth Pastors Can Help - Catherine Boyle || Children experience changes to their brains and bodies during puberty, but sometimes puberty is a time of significant behavioral changes as well. When harmful behaviors persist, a teen may be displaying a more serious problem that needs professional attention. In this Quick Take, learn signs that a teen is experiencing traumatic stress, and ways that you can help.

WORKSHOPS

The Impact of Disabilities on Marriage - Joan & Jerry Borton, Dr. Todd & Kristin Evans, Rev. Dan & Rev. Dr. Stephanie Holmes || Marriage is hard. Disability is relentless. When the two come together, whether through a child or spouse, there are some unique challenges, but also special blessings. Three couples who live with different disabilities affecting their marriages will share their experiences. They will invite the audience to ask questions. They will address marriage and disability from the family perspective, as well as how the Church can better understand and help to strengthen marriages.

Too Tired to Care: Preventing Exhaustion & Burnout - Lisa Mattheiss & Steph Hubach || Special needs ministry is exhausting; caregiving is exhausting. Most special needs ministry personnel are caregiving on personal, professional and/or ministry levels. Burnout (high expectations and performance over time) and compassion fatigue (secondary trauma experienced via the intensity of caregiving experiences) are different, yet in disability ministry, they can easily be intertwined. The relentlessness of disability, walking alongside those going through traumatic experiences, serving as agents of congregational transformation in the face of opposition, and navigating chronic sorrow with others can create the perfect storm for both burnout and compassion fatigue in disability ministry leaders. In this workshop, you will be equipped to engage in resilient ministry to and alongside of others. Come and learn from Lisa and Stephanie, both of whom are caregivers and ministry leaders, and have navigated these challenges.

Reaching and Teaching Our Neurodiverse Kingdom - Aimée Stork || Many churches and Christian organizations struggle with how to fully reach and include individuals with what is often referred to as "invisible disabilities.” How can we understand and teach both children and adults with Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia and other often invisible disabilities? Where do we even begin to support families who may be struggling with these issues? This workshop will provide research-based knowledge and practical tools that you can use and take back to your church staff and volunteers. In this workshop, you will get hands-on learning in how to teach and build relationships with the neurodiverse members of your church community, as well as support families. Come be part of a workshop that will give you a solid foundation for the future of your church!

Faith, Race, and Disabilities - Terisha Lee || In this workshop, Terisha presents how faith and race play major roles in one’s understanding and misunderstanding of disabilities. Terisha covers topics ranging from disabilities and racial disparities, triggers, trauma, as well as unique aspects of ministering to diverse groups. Join Terisha for an important discussion on ways to serve underserved groups well, things to avoid, and ways to support underserved communities besides starting a ministry.

Building Trauma Informed Kids' and Student Ministry Teams - Kim Botto || Research suggests that two-thirds of kids will experience trauma prior to the age of 16. Trauma affects every aspect of a child's development, often resulting in challenging behaviors. Join us as we dig into the "why" behind disruptive behavior, while learning practical and proven methods to respond to kids with challenging behavior in healthier and more effective ways. By building a trauma informed ministry, your volunteers will be empowered, parents will feel welcomed and understood, and the kids at your church will be better able to hear and understand the love of Jesus.

Doing Disability Ministry within a Multi-Site Church - Amy Kendell & Susan Pannell || Doing disability ministry is challenging, but doing it at multiple sites within a church can be difficult. During this session, Susan Pannell from Church of the Highlands and Amy Kendall from Saddleback Church will discuss the disability ministry challenges they have experienced working within a multisite church model. They will talk about how to incorporate the different cultures and facets each campus may present: how to serve them collectively, and as a whole. They will also talk about the challenges, highlights and blessings they have working within this paradigm, and share insights on what worked and didn't work for each of them.

Connecting Outside The Church - Andrea Roseman || In this workshop, learn steps to connect with agencies, groups, and schools that serve individuals with special needs, and the benefit that such connections make to families, agencies and your church. Andrea will share successful, unique ideas from her ministry, such as a young adult transition fair, offered to church families in partnership with local schools. Come learn how making these connections can grow your ministry, meet the needs of families, and create opportunities for sharing the love of Jesus.

QUICK TAKES

Autism, Faith, Marriage: What do Neurodiverse Couples want Pastors and Counselors to Know? - Rev. Dr. Stephanie Holmes || Based on current peer reviewed research, Rev. Dan and Dr. Stephanie Homes asked 322 individuals in neurodiverse marriages, "What do you want pastors and counselors to know about serving you as a couple?" Stephanie will share the 8 themes that emerged that these couples want marriage helpers to know about adult autism, and better serving couples on the autism spectrum.

There is No Asterisk - Dan Vander Plaats || There is a gap between what we say we believe and what we live out. When we look at people with disabilities, do we and our churches see them as others, or as our co-laborers? In this Quick Take, Dan will share The 5 Stages, a simple tool to help you and your church assess and improve your attitudes toward people with disabilities. This tool can help your church remember that there is no asterisk on any of Christ's commands that absolves people with disabilities.

How Curiosity and a Few New Strategies Can Expand the Kingdom - Kim Botto || Parents of kids with disabilities or kids who have experienced trauma often leave the church because they either don't feel welcome, or they are told the church is unable to accommodate their child. By raising awareness of invisible disabilities and the affects of trauma, the church can provide a safer and more welcoming environment for all kids. When one child is turned away, the church misses the opportunity to disciple and care for a whole family. Helping the church be more curious, instead of making assumptions based on a child's behavior can have huge impact. In this Quick Take, Kim will talk about a few simple ways to raise awareness and gain ideas to take back to your church.

Contentment: Bloom Where You are Planted - Amy Meekins || Amy Meekins has a disability called CHARGE Syndrome. The doctors told her parents she would not be able to see, or hear, or walk, or talk, or eat by mouth. God has blessed Amy with way more abilities than anyone could have imagined. For that, Amy is grateful, but she admits that having CHARGE Syndrome is hard. There are so many things that Amy wishes she could have or do that she cannot, and sometimes gets sad about those things. But God has taught her so much about contentment and trusting His plan for her life. Whether you have a disability or not, do you struggle with God's plans? In this presentation, Amy will talk about what we can do to bloom where God plants us.

A Post-Diagnosis Reset - Lisa Jamieson || A diagnosis can shake the foundations of a caregiving family. There are seasons when dreams feel stolen, your lifestyle is turned upside down, thoughts and cares are consuming, relationships get stuck, and you need to find your new "land of promises." In this session, we will look at a biblical model that has been moving people forward in strength and hope for more than 2,000 years.

WORKSHOPS

Navigating the Special Needs Journey: Then, Now and the Future - Brian & Natalie Page || Join us for a thought provoking breakout session that explores the evolution of the special needs journey. We will delve into the past, present and future of advocating for individuals with special needs and disabilities. We will examine the historical perspective of special needs care, the transformations in living out this journey as parents, caregivers and advocates. We'll also touch on some of the high impact practices shaping the journey today.

Universal Design For Learning: Create Universal Access To The Gospel & Discipleship - Charla Holst || Universal Design For Learning is an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) for teaching that is about minimizing barriers to maximize learning. Universal Design can be applied in the church environment to reach all ages, IQ's, and types of learners, and is simple, inexpensive and customizable across the church environment. In this session, you will learn Universal Design basics, as well as how to set learning goals, identify barriers to learning, and present dynamic Bible teaching in a variety of ways. Using the 3 Universal Design principles, you will also create an engaging Gospel lesson that you can take back home and try in your own church!

Volunteers: The Lifeblood of Your Ministry! - Doc Hunsley || Volunteers are the lifeblood of every ministry--especially special needs! Volunteer recruitment is always one of the biggest concerns for any ministry leader, no matter what size your ministry is. In this workshop, you will learn how to recruit, retain, and train your volunteers to last for the long haul in any sized church! Doc will also share with you the four most important letters in the alphabet for volunteer recruitment and how they will help you recruit volunteers at over a 90% success rate with longevity!

Creating Inclusive Play Spaces for Young Children with Disabilities - Donna McCrary & Beth Jones || Helping children play is an important aspect of their development. For many children with disabilities, inclusion in play spaces with their typically developing peers can be challenging, and churches often lack disability inclusive play spaces or experiences. This presentation will cover ways for churches to plan for modifications of their current play spaces for the inclusion of adaptive playground or classroom equipment, wheel-chair friendly surfaces, inclusive gaming, communication devices and sensory play experiences, and will include options for possible grant funding for inclusive play scapes. Workshop participants will plan their own play spaces, including different types of play such as imaginative, structured and unstructured play, and social interactions. Come learn how to fully include all children in your church’s play spaces.

Spotlighting B.E.A.C.O.N.: Embracing Brokenness, Empathy, Acceptance, Compassion, Overcoming, and Newness in Church Mental Health Ministry - Janette Bentley & Montreece Payton-Hardy || This workshop proposes the B.E.A.C.O.N. framework as an essential model for church communities to effectively support individuals dealing with mental health issues and trauma. BEACON is an acronym for the themes of Brokenness, Empathy, Acceptance, Compassion, Overcoming and Newness. By exploring biblical narratives and teachings about each of these themes, this workshop will equip faith communities with spiritual insights and practical steps for becoming sanctuaries of healing, hope, understanding, and transformation in Christ for individuals with mental health challenges.

Using the Special Needs Roadmap to Support Families - Jillian Palmiotto || Parents receive a diagnosis, and then what? Special Needs parenting can be difficult when you don't understand disability language, know about supportive services, or know what the next step is supposed to be after receiving the diagnosis. The special needs parenting roadmap helps parents make sense of existing supports, and faith communities can be the place that educates families on how to access the supports and maximize the benefits. In this session, learn about the special needs parenting roadmap, how to speak with parents about each pit stop along the roadmap, and how to adapt the roadmap to align with programs in your state.

Addressing Mental Health Risks for Parent Caregivers - Kristin & Todd Evans || Mental health disorders continue to be a growing concern for parents caring for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities. These parents face up to a one-in-three risk for developing clinical depression and anxiety, double the risk compared to parents of children without additional needs, and have a twenty percent risk for experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Mental health disorders can greatly affect a caregiver's quality of life and their parenting effectiveness, and can negatively impact their child's health and development, their relationships, and family functioning. Medical parents often do not receive professional mental health treatment, due to the lack of respite breaks, financial burden, and chronic daily stress. Additionally, pastors and counselors may not be equipped to address these issues. Participants in this workshop will learn the factors that contribute to caregivers developing mental health conditions. They will also explore ways that caregivers and the church can help prevent and address mental health disorders, and minimize the detrimental impact on the health of caregivers, children, marriages, and families.

Community Conversation:

Town Meeting on The Intersection of Disability, Gender & Sexuality

QUICK TAKES

Mental Health Awareness - Chris Morris || Sometimes the best thing you can do for your church is introduce a topic in a nonconfrontational way. A Mental Health Awareness presentation can be the best way to introduce the topic of mental health to your congregation. In this presentation, Chris Morris will demonstrate how to speak to your congregation directly, sharing some of his story and addressing some of the common Christian mental health myths. At the end of this presentation, attendees will have a better understanding of God's heart for people in mental illness communities, some common misunderstandings within Christianity about mental health, and how to support those going through mental health moments.

Called and Qualified: Equipping Peer Leaders in Mental Health Ministry - Kimberly Britt || Kimberly believes that people living with mental health struggles are capable of leading powerful mental health ministries. Unfortunately, many peers do not feel qualified to lead, due to stigma, shame, or fear. In this session, Kimberly will briefly share about her struggles with mental health and substance misuse. She will then explain why peers make excellent leaders, and offer practical tools to resource peer leaders feeling called to lead mental health ministries.

Unmasked - Heather Croas || Everyone practices masking. This is exhausting for anyone. And in our current society, people who are neurodivergent are almost expected to do this. This presentation was created to illustrate how we often make assumptions about others; the visual aides involved will help show this. Heather will show that when we take the time to let people be their authentic selves, we can help stop this expectation.

WORKSHOPS

Overcoming Barriers to Outreach and Vocational Ministry for People with Disabilities - Alexai Perez || When it comes to outreach and vocational ministry alongside adults with disabilities, there are largely defined and expected outcomes about what such ministry should look like, leaving many excluded or sitting on the sidelines. People with disabilities have mostly been considered objects of ministry (ministry to and for), versus co-laborers in ministry (ministry with), with spiritual gifts of their own, like everyone else. Reframing our thoughts on how we do ministry together fulfills Jesus' intention described in Ephesians 4:16. This presentation will discuss potential barriers to participation and volunteering for people with disabilities, including the mechanisms and systems that may not have been developed and implemented to include a diverse group of people, and can make it more difficult for people with disabilities to connect with opportunities and use their spiritual gifts to serve. This presentation will include helpful suggestions on how to overcome these barriers, and to better think through planning from the start, so everyone is included.

Finding the Holes in Training: 3 Tips for Training Strategies that Really Work - Barb Stanley & Leah Whicker || Have you ever put your heart into training your volunteers about disability inclusion, only to have them forget everything they learned? This workshop uncovers three holes that we often find in our training plans, and tells us how to fill them. We will look at: what we can really expect our teams to remember, how to help them be ready in the moment, and why training isn't just for meetings anymore. Join us as we equip you to equip your teams for the long haul.

Don't Assume - Steve Chatman || When working with families impacted by disability, it is easy to assume you know what they need. So often, churches launch programs in an attempt to reach families, but they end up missing the mark for lack of knowing what their families truly want or need. In this workshop, Steve Chatman will share ideas and tips from what he has learned working first-hand with families as a disability ministry leader, and personally as a dad to daughters with disabilities. This workshop will help your church create and develop the most impactful support models for the families you serve.

How to Get Leadership on Board - Ryan Wolfe || The majority of disability ministries are started by passionate mothers who desire inclusion for their children. Trying to start a ministry while not being part of a church staff can be an uphill battle. Other disability ministries are started under the umbrella of children's ministry, and struggle to move outside that umbrella. The lid of any disability ministry is the level of leadership buy-in. In this session, you will learn exactly how to get leadership on board. Whether your ministry is in the starting blocks or in the phase of expansion and growth, everyone attending this session will leave with free customizable resources that can be implemented immediately in the local church.

Becoming the Solution to the Employment and Housing Crisis in the Disability Community - Jillian Palmiotto || People with disabilities are the most unemployed or underemployed people group in America. They are also fighting a housing crisis that prevents them from living the independent lives they desire. The bad news is that due to a lack of employment support, lack of direct support professionals, and the rise in the cost of living, people with disabilities continue to suffer from the employment and housing disparities that affect their community. The good news is that the Church can be the answer to this problem! By creating volunteer opportunities, part-time positions for people with disabilities, and a host-home program within your church, people with disabilities can be given opportunities to live, work, play, and belong to a faith community that benefits from having them as part of their body.

Effectively Reaching the Unnoticed Deaf in Your Community - Jim Bracelin || This presentation will address the need for disability ministry and outreach to people in the Deaf community: how to present the Gospel to the Deaf community, and the importance of discipling and training this population. This workshop will discuss some of the unique challenges of ministry to and with the Deaf community, including how to avoid potential pitfalls in Deaf community outreach, and how to handle other difficulties that may be encountered.

Ministry Outside the Box, Creative Solutions to Create Belonging in Your Church - Cynthia Pounds || Creating a place of belonging for individuals who often feel excluded can be a challenge. Whether you are striving to create a place of belonging in a specific area, or in your church as a whole, join us in thinking outside the box. Wheelchair accessibility and handicapped parking spots are a great start, but let's talk about creative ideas that further our inclusive reach inside our churches. This workshop will include topics on specific church spaces, as well as strategies for supporting parents and participants throughout the church.

Faith and The Special Needs Single Father - John Felageller || In this presentation, John speaks on the role of faith in the lives of fathers of special needs children, specifically those who are new to Christianity, but also those who are in the role of single parent. Using his own experience as a father who was brought to Christ largely because of his son's disability, he will highlight the ways God uses the struggles and challenges we face--especially as men and fathers--to strengthen and grow our faith, whether married or single. John also shares practical tools for how to apply faith in our daily lives.

QUICK TAKES

Disability Ministry in France: A New Frontier in the Old World - Alfonso Feria || Al served in missions in France for 20 years, but never thought of ministry serving people with disabilities. When his youngest son was diagnosed with autism at age 2 in 2014, Al and his family returned to the US, due to lack of educational and ministry support in France. God used his son’s autism to train Al in disability ministry. In early 2023, God gave Al a new vision for disability ministry in France. Since then, Al has been back to France twice, helped lead a first-time special needs family camp in October 2023, and is scheduled to help lead a similar camp in April 2024. In this session, learn statistics about autism and disability in France, and hear Al’s fresh stories about international disability ministry development where resources are scarce but opportunities for the church abound.

From Shame and Curse to Honor and Blessing: Gospel Access to Muslim Countries Through Disability Ministry - Elizabeth Paul || In this Quick Take, learn how the Gospel is going forward in word and deed in Central Asian cities and villages through churches that are awake to God's love for people with disabilities. Elizabeth will share how it was difficult to gain access to proclaim the message of Jesus Christ in the Muslim country where she served, yet through tangibly loving people with disabilities—giving wheelchairs, providing better education about physical therapy and special education, providing social outlets for young adults with disabilities—there are now ample opportunities and access to show and tell the love of Jesus, from homes in remote villages to the state hospital. The prayer and vision of Elizabeth’s co-laborers is that spiritual communities (churches) would form as the disability community is served through medical, education and social spheres. Elizabeth and her co-laborers work to mobilize and train the local church to participate in God transforming people with disabilities from objects of shame and curses to conduits of honor and blessing, for their whole families, clans and villages. In every aspect of the disability sphere, the needs in Central Asia are immense, but the opportunities to display and proclaim the Glory of the Triune God and Jesus Christ as the only Savior are equally immense.

People with Disabilities and Mental Illness Doing Mission Work - Linda Bunk & Timofey Dovgalyuk || If you think people with disabilities or mental illness can’t do missions work, think again. Timofey Dovgalyuk, a business owner originally from Latvia, and Linda Bunk, a woman living with bipolar disorder and Level 1 autism will share about their extraordinary partnership in international ministry, serving children, adults and families with disabilities in Ukraine, Poland and Germany. Learn why disabilities and mental health challenges may uniquely position you to serve in missions in your back yard and across the world.

Supporting Families through the Uncertain Journey of Genetic Diagnosis - Sydney Stelmaszek || Nearly 72% of rare diseases can be attributed to genetic causes, and can result in a range of disabilities in people who are affected. Families have more options than ever to attempt to understand their loved one's disability through genetic diagnosis, and in some cases, treatment. However, the church at large is not aware of the significant impact of the diagnostic journey on the family's faith, finances, mental health, and decision-making. In this Quick Take, we will explore some challenges families may face while searching for a genetic diagnosis. This presentation will also share practical ideas for family support during the early days of a genetic diagnosis, as well as the spiritual, medical and relational benefits the church is capable of providing these families.

WORKSHOPS

Trends in Autism: Challenging and Difficult Restricted Interests (Gender Identity, Pornography, Technology) - Rev. Dr. Stephanie Holmes || Have you wondered where the uptick in gender identity and confusion is coming from? Have you noticed that those on the spectrum tend to have a bent toward technology that can be hyper-focused? What is different for today's autistic youth and young adults versus 10 or 20 years ago? Could something as simple as belonging and group identity aid this situation? In this workshop, learn how the church can provide belonging, a positive Christ-centered identity and acceptance to those who are different. Stephanie will also share ways to support parents and families in the church with young adults or teens in this struggle, without condemnation.

Better Together: Church & Parent Collaboration to Nurture Spiritual Formation in Children with Disabilities - Beth Golik & Rev. Dr. Karen Roberts || In this interactive workshop, participants will learn best practices for parents and churches to together nurture the spiritual formation of children with disabilities. This session will equip parent and disability ministry leaders with tools and strategies for church and home that help children of varied abilities grow in their faith.

Developing a Respite at Home Program Between Disability Ministries - John Felageller & Katherine Meiners || In 2022, a partnership was developed between the Internship Department at Joni and Friends and Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. Hear about the process of ministry leaders from both sides coming together to provide direct respite care to local families in the Chicago area, and how both the families and interns benefitted. Learn how your church or ministry can partner with local university student interns to serve the needs of families in your ministry, support the growth of the interns and engage the local church.

Are the Gifts of Individuals with Disabilities Being Used and Celebrated in the Church? - Ruth Nelson || Theologians, disability researchers and churches are beginning to realize the untapped spiritual gifts or charismata of those with disabilities within the church, gifts that can be diverse and surprising. In this workshop, Ruth will share the results from two parent focus groups and the “Untapped Strengths and Belonging Survey” conducted in early 2023. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to share about the gifts of their parishioners and/or how their churches create opportunities for individuals with disabilities to use their spiritual gifts.

Creating Spaces of Belonging Through Collaboration of Church and Para-church Ministry - Amy Troyer & Christine Boyle || Amy Troyer, Director of Special Needs Ministry - The Chapel in Green and Christine Boyle, Young Life Capernaum Cleveland South Director, both of whom are mothers of adult children with disabilities. In this workshop, they will discuss their experiences as parents and ministry leaders, and demonstrate how collaboration can lead to meaningful ministry for teenagers and young adults. They will also provide information about small groups, clubs, and service opportunities for individuals with disabilities, plus Bible study, retreats, conferences for parents, caregivers, and couples that can work for your ministry or church, and help make the body of Christ complete.

Making Room: Engaging the Whole Church in Disability Ministry - Laura Mitchell, Milton Keys & Barry Rodriguez || In this workshop, attendees will learn different perspectives on the importance of disability ministry, from the experiences of three leaders from Grace Church, Noblesville, IN. Pastor Barry Rodriguez will speak on what it looks like for a church to make disability ministry a core church value. Associate pastor Laura Mitchell will share specific details from their disability ministry, and how the entire church caught the vision of engaging congregants and community members with disabilities. Last, Dr. Milton Keys—a person with disabilities—will share personal experiences plus biblical knowledge about disabilities. Workshop attendees will learn about the significant impact disability ministry can have on the church and community, and will leave challenged to change and grow their views about disabilities.

Caring for Others from Your “Sweet Spots” - Lisa Jamieson || Whether you are a disability ministry leader or a caregiver responsible for complex family issues, you can love others well and be healthy, too. In this workshop, Lisa will explore a practical tool for minimizing stress, fatigue, and inadequacy in your calling to serve others. Discover freedom and renewed purpose by serving from your unique areas of strength, recognizing your vulnerabilities, and staying aligned with the God-purposed way you are created.

QUICK TAKES

Becoming a Biblical Church of Belonging - Doc Hunsley || This session helps senior leadership learn about the biblical mandate and missional opportunity to minister to children and families with disabilities. Explore how to overcome the myths of disability ministry and open new pathways for reaching the least evangelized people in the United States. Discover how you can grow your congregation by designing a new ministry for children with disabilities.

The Power of Community - John Felageller || In this session, John will reflect on how finding and developing intentional community has impacted and supported his journey as a special needs and single father. John will describe his experiences with established groups and communities of special needs families and parents, and also how he was able to create his own support groups, both locally and on a national level. John will also share his advice on how to find and develop community and support groups in your area.

Church Challenge: Caring for the Caregiver! - Linda Santana Arroyo || Some caregivers may feel there is a ministry for everyone, but not for them. At times, they feel alone, isolated, and disconnected, even in their church. But caregivers need to feel that their church sees, hears, and supports them. In this Quick Take, learn about the vital role of the church in supporting caregivers, as part of its mission of serving those in need. By supporting caregivers, the church helps caregivers provide better care for their loved ones, reduce stress and burnout, and provide the the church an opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of both the caregiver and the care recipient.

Darkness to Hope: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders - Joel Sheagren || Joel is a filmmaker, a Christian, and a father of a son with FASD/Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. FASD is the world's number one developmental disability (3x more prevalent than Autism). FASD often leads to homelessness, addictions, and human trafficking. The goal of this presentation is to expose a hidden and pervasive disability wreaking havoc in families, churches, and our communities and ask, why are so few people paying attention? Joel and his wife adopted their son at birth, knowing the birth mom drank alcohol during the pregnancy. It took his family 14 years to understand the root cause of his son's distributive behaviors. Shifting to brain-based parenting changed darkness to hope for his family. In this Quick Take, Joel will spark a conversation about faith and FASD, so our churches can better serve their communities, including people with this underserved and highly misunderstood condition.

WORKSHOPS

Everyone Can Do Something About Behavior - Tiffany Crow || The first step in managing behavior is to know how to utilize your "super tool:" the environment. From the science of Applied Behavior Analysis, participants will gain knowledge in identifying and changing environmental events to make a behavioral difference. Participants will gain knowledge of how the environment shapes behavior, tangible steps to change problem behavior, steps to manage small yet persistent problem behavior and steps to manage significant problem behavior.

From Hurdles to Hope: Research-Based Approaches to Accessible Bible Story Instruction - Laura Deeken & Cortney Jenkins || Prepare to overcome teaching hurdles and share the hope of the Gospel with all children. Join a speech-language pathologist and former special education teacher for an interactive workshop designed to provide you with practical, research-based teaching strategies tailored to learners with diverse needs. Our goal is to simplify the process and offer easy, manageable steps that you can quickly grasp. You'll gain insights into which approaches work best for different disabilities, and how to present the stories of the Bible in an accessible way. In this hands-on workshop, you'll leave with a toolbox of techniques that you can implement right away, starting Sunday morning.

A Biblical Perspective on Healing and Pastoral Care - Rev. Dr. Karen Roberts & Rev. Jeffrey Moore || Does God always heal? What if someone I prayed for is not physically healed; what's next? Is there a difference between healing and a cure? Is there a difference between physical, emotional, and spiritual healing? Participants in this workshop will engage in Scripture to gain a biblical perspective on healing. Then, drawing from real life stories, we will explore how pastors and disability ministry leaders can effectively minister to individuals and families wrestling with these questions. This is an interactive, round-table discussion format.

Promoting Belonging at the Table: Seeing Through their Lens - Ruth Nelson || In this presentation, Ruth will review the highlights from significant surveys and case studies of parents of individuals with disabilities, to examine gaps in church disability support and practical resources to address the gaps. Workshop participants will have the opportunity to share how their churches have addressed similar issues, as well as offer ideas on creating church communities that go beyond inclusion to loving and needing individuals with disabilities as integral members of the church.

Community, Capernaum, & the Church: The Masterpiece Alliance Story - Scott Habeeb, KJ Boland & Sydney Dougherty || The workshop will share the exciting story of Masterpiece Alliance, a non-profit organization that is building an inclusive, gospel-centered community in Virginia's Roanoke Valley. The Masterpiece Alliance vision is for no person with a disability or family of a person with a disability to live life in the margins or in isolation. To accomplish that mission, the Alliance is creating an inclusive community for people of all abilities, and supporting and equipping the local church to proactively create spaces of belonging and roles of purpose for people with disabilities and their families. Most importantly, Masterpiece Alliance is asking God to lead the way—and the results have been amazing! Be encouraged by what God is doing through this organization and gain practical ideas for how a similar community could be created where you live.

Keeping Ministry Safe For Everyone - Samantha & David Jones || In Keeping Ministry Safe for Everyone, Samantha and David will unpack the risk management process, a proactive approach to safety in a disability inclusive ministry. This interactive workshop includes nine practical ways to manage the most common inclusion ministry risks--because safety doesn't happen by accident.

Trauma-Informed Small Groups - Robert & Lori Crosby || Many hurting kids have no safe place to talk about their lives, share feelings, or receive prayer and encouragement. A weekly small group can change a child’s life, by meeting these critical needs. In this session, you will distinguish the features and benefits of a trauma-informed small group, diagram a five-point strategy for leading a life-changing small group, and demonstrate a brief check-in routine that fosters intimacy, healing, and growth within a community of faith.

QUICK TAKES

Always Under The Investigative Scrutiny of Members: How My Child with Autism Inspired Me to Be a Better Pastor - Shaun Brooks || Hear Dr. Shaun Brooks speak on what he has learned from his personal experience of having a child with Autism and the micro-aggressions that are often faced when interacting with members of the church family. Learn of some of the practical ways Shaun has transformed his outlook on his approach to discipleship and evangelism as he strives to make his church a safe place for individuals with disabilities, including his own family.

Supporting The Support System - Rebekah Gouch || So often the needs of the families of those impacted by disabilities are overlooked. To best love those with disabilities, the church must also come alongside and love their support system. The church needs to look at how they can best support and encourage the parents, siblings, grandparents, etc. of those with disabilities. In this Quick Take, Rebekah will explore the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the members of families impacted by disabilities, as well as practical next steps that the church can implement.

WORKSHOPS

Actually Autistic Autism 101 - Lori Sealy || Explanations of autism are often presented by professionals using confusing clinical language in an attempt to increase understanding of an incredibly complex spectrum disorder. But too often, people attending these presentations walk away still scratching their heads at the mystery of it all. In this workshop, Lori will speak honestly and earnestly as a person who actually lives life on the spectrum. Much of the information in this workshop came into being as she and her pastor/husband worked to find ways to understand one another, in order to walk well with one another. Using the headings of the DSM-V, Lori will unpack some of the perplexing puzzle pieces of autism in ways that will help increase autistic understanding and create Christlike compassion for neurodiverse congregants.

Aging in the Church - Victoria White || Churches all across the US have aging congregants, many of whom have shifting mobility, vision, hearing, cognitive, and social abilities. Be equipped to honor and serve, as well as continue to learn from a population who have a lifetime of faith to share with younger generations. This workshop will give you a vocabulary -words, strategies, and practical items- for ministry with persons living with age-related disabilities (whether anyone calls them disabilities or not).

Stronger Together: Cultivating Mental and Emotional Resilience in Faith Communities - Tom, Julie & Amy Meekins || Staying strong mentally and emotionally can be challenging for those impacted by disability, whether personally, as a parent, or as a ministry leader. This session explores how fostering strong community connections can be a powerful source of support and resilience. The Meekins will share practical strategies for individuals with disabilities, parents, and ministry leaders to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being within a supportive faith community. Together, we can cultivate a stronger foundation for ourselves and each other.

Diagnosed: Now What? Supporting Families With a Newly Diagnosed Disability or Delay - Terisha Lee || Before a formal disability diagnosis, concerned parents and caregivers will often reach out to their pastor or ministry leader. The response from clergy is often to pray. While that answer is not wrong, it can be an inadequate answer, particularly when families are just learning of formal diagnoses or delays. Though pastors are not medical professionals, there are several ways pastors can support families with a new diagnosis. In this workshop, Terisha will address lessons learned the first 12 months after a diagnosis, how pastors can help combat mistrust, misguided information and spiritual misconceptions, tips and tricks to help parents cope with a diagnosis.

Finding God’s Ministry Purpose for Your Life, and 5 Steps to Make Your Ministry Dream a Reality - Catherine Boyle & Beth Golik || Being a parent of a child with disabilities consumes time, financial resources, and mental and spiritual health. But what if God has uniquely positioned you by way of your experiences to bless and disciple others? In this session, Catherine Boyle will help you evaluate your unique experiences to identify the ministry God has given you, and Beth Golik will share 5 steps to help you move from ministry concept to living out His heart’s desire for you.

The 411 on Ministry to Special Needs Dads - Steve Chatman || Drawing upon conversations and insights from numerous special needs dads, as well as years of local ministry with dads, this workshop will look inside the heart and mind of men who are caring for children with disabilities/special needs. You'll discover three important things about these dads that will help you know how to better encourage and serve them. Additionally, you'll learn the main things they want and need from churches and/or parachurch ministries. And finally, this workshop will examine how one ministry is reaching these dads in their community.

Community Conversation:

Panel Discussion on Serving in Ministry Leadership with a Disability

QUICK TAKES

Lasting Friendships: Conversations on Adult Friendships With & Without Disability - Sarah Coffey || Churches often begin with disability ministry for young families, desire to move onward, and don't know where to begin. What does true mutual friendship look like for the individuals served by disability ministry as children, who become potentially isolated and overlooked as they move into adulthood? What is your role in facilitating this? Let's talk more on the reality of these efforts and how to get started.

Accessible Youth Ministry - Kerri-Ann Hayes || What happens when children with special needs or disabilities transition into the youth ministry? Leaders may have a plan for the teen who shows up in a wheelchair, but what about those who have invisible challenges? How do we welcome youth with autism, ADHD, or anxiety? Let’s talk about the five first steps we can take as the church to welcome all youth, including those with disabilities.

Of Hobbits, Heartache, and Hope - Lori Sealy || In literature and in life, heartache seems an all-too-common theme. Is there hope when things are hard? And is there, as Sam Wise Gamgee asked, "a day when all sad things will come untrue?"

WORKSHOPS

How Churches Can Foster Post Traumatic Growth in Children and Adults - Jolene Philo || You've probably heard about the negative effects that unresolved trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can have on a person's mental health, but have you heard about post traumatic growth, which can increase a trauma survivor's resiliency and faith? This workshop defines post traumatic growth and explores its biblical foundations. It then examines what you can do as an individual and within your church to foster post traumatic growth, without minimizing the trauma that survivors have experienced. Those attending this workshop will be given a chance to ask questions, and will walk away with practical ideas and resources to explore further.

Partnering with Families of Special Needs Kids Outside the Weekend - Kim Botto || Parenting a child with disabilities brings levels of exhaustion and isolation that most can not comprehend. The church has the opportunity to partner with families, not just on the weekend, but every day of the week, by providing support, friendship and a listening ear. We'll hear stories from the experts (parents parenting kids with disabilities) on what's helpful, what's not and how the church has included, welcomed and supported them as a family. In this workshop, we'll identify ideas to take back to our church communities that can create teams and systems to support families within the church, and also outside our church community.

Unique Challenges and Strategies for Including Church Families with Invisible Disabilities - Kimberly Britt & Kristin McKee || Kristin and Kimberly grew up in the church while living with "invisible disabilities;" Kristin's brother has Autism Spectrum Disorder and Kimberly lives with ADHD and anxiety. They understand that youth and adults with disabilities like ASD, ADHD, and mental health disorders do not always receive the same grace and understanding as those living with visible disabilities. This can cause individuals with invisible disabilities and their loved ones to feel unwelcome at their local church. In this workshop, both will share their stories, including the unique challenges they faced while trying to engage in their church community. They will provide practical strategies for ministry workers to include and support individuals and families with invisible disabilities.

Beyond Sunday: Opportunities for Weekday Community for Adults with Disabilities within the Church - Jill Hartsfield || Many adults with disabilities struggle to find purpose, connection, and belonging after they age out of their local school system—especially individuals with more significant needs. Long waitlists, expensive tuition costs, and strict skill requirements disqualify many from being able to participate in local adult day programs, if such programs even exist. Monday through Friday, churches often have space that can be utilized to welcome adults with disabilities to engage with one another, continue to learn and build skills, and be spiritually fed. The church has a big opportunity to come alongside these families and meet growing needs for quality adult weekday programs within our communities. Whether you have a thriving disability ministry for adults on Sundays and are looking to take it to the next level, or you're brainstorming new forms of ministry to this population, let's dream together about what this kind of outreach could look like for your church and community!

Building A Resilient Faith in the Ongoing Challenges of Caregiving - Mary Underwood || Based on Hebrews 4:14-16, this workshop will focus on practical ways to develop spiritual resilience when our faith is challenged and our souls are weary. We will be encouraged by who we are in Christ, and His role as an intercessor who empathizes with us. And we will discover practical application in holding firmly to the faith we possess, approaching His throne with confidence, and receiving mercy and grace to help us in our time of need. We will also look at how we can support our communities as we offer mercy and grace to others in their time of need.

Navigating the Launch, Infrastructure, Operations, and Development of a Small Ministry Start-Up - Misty Harper-Anderson & Lisa Jamieson || Having an entrepreneurial spirit can feel overwhelming when one doesn't know where to begin. This presentation speaks to those who are new authors/bloggers/speakers/ministry founders/visionaries who want practical and spiritual help to figure out their next steps. Misty Harper-Anderson will share from her experience with marketing, communications, event planning, church planting, small business ownership, etc. Lisa Jamieson will share from her experience with small business ownership, founding a ministry, etc.This session will provide encouragement for the days in which the work you are called to do feels like too much, and offer practical tips on how to start and keep moving forward.

Realizing Your God Given Potential - Lori Konopasek & Hannah Speiller || Everyone is designed on purpose and for a purpose by God. This includes being designed for community, work, and increasingly independent living. People with intellectual and developmental disabilities have fewer options to develop their potential and maximize their gifts. This presentation outlines steps to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to grow and thrive. Shepherds College is a three-year post-secondary college for people with disabilities. Learn how Shepherds College uses these steps to change employment and independent living outcomes in the lives of people with disabilities.

WORKSHOPS

Siblings: The Forgotten Family Member - Tom Jones || Siblings are often called the "forgotten family member." They share some of the same concerns as their parents, but do not have the same opportunities for support as their parents. This lack of support can lead to mental health problems. The family support that is provided by churches can be enhanced by an understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities that siblings have. In this workshop, participants will hear from young siblings and adult siblings as they talk about their experiences, as well as learn about programs like Sibshops, which can give children who have a sibling with disabilities an opportunity to talk about their concerns with other siblings who genuinely understand the challenges of caring for a person with a disability. This workshop will help churches develop a holistic view of the family, which can lead to new opportunities for ministry.

Reverse Inclusion for Teens and Young Adults - Sandra Peoples || 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! In this session, Sandra will share details about the schedule, the classroom, the curriculum, and the volunteers that make this class a success at her church.

#NonprofitsWorkingTogether - TyiaLynn Scott & Melanie Gomez || Join TyiaLynn and Melanie as they share their ideas and experiences in the ways they have partnered with one another, as well as many other organizations. This workshop will also brainstorm some out of the box ideas with participants to create their own partnerships. By partnering with others, your ministry can not only serve families more completely, but you will connect with special needs families who can be pointed to Jesus, maybe for the first time.

The Right Way to Make a Ministry Pitch to Your Pastor - Steve Chatman || It is vitally important that more churches begin to welcome and engage families impacted by disabilities and special needs. Sadly, far too many pastors and church leaders simply do not have these needs on their radar. So when you finally get the chance to share your heart and vision for serving these families with your church leadership, you need to be prepared so you don't blow your proposal! This workshop, led by someone who spent nearly 30 years in church leadership and listened to hundreds of such proposals, will teach you 5 things you must do to nail this conversation with your pastor and get him on board.

The Heavens Declare the Glory of...Disabilities? Addressing Controversial Church Views of Disability and Their Growing Effect on Spiritual Disparity Among This Vulnerable People Group - Saurym Quezada & Alexai Perez || Controversial views of the nature of disabilities—like autism as demonic and in need of prayer for healing—have recently crowded the news, and showcased the erroneous, yet historically consistent negative outlook on disabilities in society and the church. Throughout scripture, God validates His purpose in creating individuals with disabilities, yet the Church persists in making these individuals objects of charity and grief. More often than not, individuals with disabilities grow away from the church, in part due to what they hear from the pulpit, that leads them see themselves with internal self-loathing and animosity. The purpose of this presentation is to raise awareness about these issues and the detriment they are to individuals with disabilities. Through this uncomfortable but needed conversation, we will walk the audience through the physical nature of disabilities and God's sovereign design of all people. This workshop will also present practical approaches to develop a more Christ-like disability mindset, including research on vulnerability, belonging, and ministerial approaches for the disability community.

Barriers to the Gospel: On Idols of Our Hearts, Idols of Church Culture, and Idols of Disability Culture - Stephanie Hubach || Tim Keller defines an idol as "anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give...." What if barriers to making the gospel accessible to all actually come from deeper issues--such as the idols of our hearts, idols of church culture and idols of disability culture? Come hear an overview on how you can reflect on all three arenas in your local ministry context.

Disability Ministry: No Church Left Behind - Sherri Wirt || The effort to provide a church space, class, or activities that are "special" often detracts from what should be our first step. What if we first ask how changes can be made that will eliminate the need for "special" programs? If a church works to meet the needs of every individual and family God brings through their doors, a "Special Needs Ministry" often doesn't need to exist. If every child, teen, and adult of any age is welcomed, included, and finds a place to connect, serve, and grow in their faith, then no ministry area is "special," because they all are; this is as God intended. To reach this end, our perspective must change. There must be training and open dialogue among those with disabilities and those without, including congregations, small groups, volunteers, and leaders. During this workshop, we'll discuss this approach and look at some typical church settings and events to determine how to make them inclusive without a large budget or tons of additional volunteers, as the starting point for any church that has the heart to change.

Disability Ministry Curriculum That Works! - Ryan Wolfe || Struggling to find a disability ministry curriculum that works for your ministry? Don't think you can afford a quality curriculum? What if you need to customize your lessons to fit your unique group? In this session, you will learn about Ability Ministry's latest 100% digital curriculum offerings. All curriculum is 100% adaptable for your unique ministry. The curriculum is offered in video-driven, PowerPoint-driven, and hybrid models. All in attendance will receive FREE samples of curriculum to use in their ministry.