We’re pleased to announce the addition of Bob West to the speaker lineup for Inclusion Fusion. Bob will be speaking on the topic “What’s in our Heart?”  In Bob’s presentation, he’ll address the question of why should we care about people with special needs when there are so many things we can do with our time. Why should volunteering for a church program serving people with special needs be at the top?

Bob is the president and founder of the Need Project Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting families with children and adults with special needs. He and his wife, Sue, have been married 21 years and have three children, the oldest of which has Cerebral Palsy. The West family lives in Black Forest, Colorado.

Here’s an excerpt from the Need Project website:

After Bob joined the staff at the worldwide ministry Focus on the Family, the West’s son, the delightful and talented, Kyle, then seven years-old, met National Radio Hall of Fame host Dr. James Dobson at a ministry picnic. They forged a fast friendship and after Kyle appeared on the Focus on the Family radio program to discuss the life of a child with special needs, the West’s passion for their personal ministry outreach ascended to new heights. Kyle’s program became one of Focus’ most popular broadcasts of all time. Complete strangers began to recognize the voice. Years later, at the age of 13, his “fans” were thrilled to see him reappear in the award-winning Christian worldview course, The Truth Project.

Beginning in 2006, Bob and Sue expanded their support to families nationwide through their Need Project ministry and website. Together, with an enthusiastic team of supporters and families all around the world, they offer a message of hope to parents in a culture that has devalued life. Thanks to the generosity of many friends, Need Project creates encouraging and helpful resources, and educates groups about the needs of these very unique and wonderful families.

Katie Wetherbee and myself had the pleasure of being interviewed for Bob’s monthly podcast this past July. We’re very much looking forward to helping others learn about the resources Bob and his wife have to offer through their ministry.

Bob will be among over 20 of the church’s leading experts in children’s ministry and disability ministry joining with us this November 3rd-5th to put on a FREE Special Needs Ministry Web Summit for church staff, volunteers, family members and caregivers everywhere. That’s Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry’s First Annual Special Needs Ministry Web Summit, featuring this year’s Keynote Speaker, Chuck Swindoll. Register here for the Special Needs Ministry Web Summit, coming this November 3rd-5th.