A good friend of our ministry wrote me recently to ask for a little clarification of what Key Ministry does. My one line answer: Key Ministry builds bridges to help connect churches with families of kids with “issues.”

While serving on the Elder board of our first church, God opened my eyes to the reality most families in a medical practice like mine will never experience the joy of coming to know Christ and growing in faith in a local church that my family has enjoyed, because the hidden disabilities manifested in their children are barriers as real to church participation as stairs would be to a person in a wheelchair.

In the U.S., we’re experiencing an epidemic of problems like ADHD, anxiety, mood disorders and autism spectrum disorders among our children and teens. Over 20% of kids starting first grade meet criteria for one or more psychiatric disorders. All of these conditions greatly reduce the likelihood that the child’s family will be actively engaged in the ministry of a local church. And that’s completely unacceptable to God!

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He spent a lot of time healing sick people and restoring creation to the way it was meant to be. He expects us as the church to continue His ministry until His return. We’re honored that God’s seen fit to let us join in that work through helping to connect with His church families He loves who happen to have kids who don’t think or act or feel like everyone else.

Over the next week or two, I’ll be answering more of the questions my friend had about Key Ministry.