Category Archives: Advocacy

Guest Blogger Joe Butler…Life With Micah

Posted on April 14, 2013 by Dr. G

The more we learned about special needs ministry, the more we learned that the majority of churches weren’t equipped to include families with special needs. Both Jen and I sensed that it was our life mission to reach out to other families like our own.
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Chuck Swindoll talks about autism…

Posted on April 2, 2013 by Dr. G

Chuck spoke at length about the impact of Jonathan’s disability on their family, how his presence in the family has been a blessing, and how Jonathan has helped him become more effective in his ministry to people with disabilities. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Leadership, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Nella Uitvlugt…a tribute

Posted on March 22, 2013 by Dr. G

Because so many leaders are new to the disability ministry movement and never had the opportunity to learn from Nella, I thought the best way to honor her contributions to the field would be to share the video of her presentation from this past November’s Inclusion Fusion. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Gillian Marchenko…To the new mother of a baby with Down syndrome

Posted on March 21, 2013 by Dr. G

I am a bit farther down your new path. Give yourself time to fall in love with your son, and to get used to Down syndrome. Breathe in his baby smell. Watch how his brother kisses the top of his head, how your husband gently puts him down to sleep, how your baby locks eyes with you when he eats. The weight of the world is in those eyes.

Today, you don’t have to love Down syndrome. Just love your son.
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Are teens “undermedicated” for mental health disorders?

Posted on March 19, 2013 by Dr. G

There is very little evidence in this study to suggest that large numbers of teens are getting psychiatric medications that they don’t need. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Advocacy, Controversies, Depression, Hidden Disabilities, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Key Strategy #3…Expanding the circle

Posted on March 18, 2013 by Dr. G

As Key Ministry grows and develops additional partners, we’ll be intentional in cultivating relationships with other leaders throughout the church. Continue reading →

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Top Ten Online Influencers in Children’s Mental Health

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Dr. G

I was honored to be listed among the Top Ten online influencers in the field of children’s mental health (#7, to be specific) by SharecareNow. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Joe Padilla…The Church Response to Families Impacted by Depression

Posted on March 3, 2013 by Dr. G

The church can consider having biblically based mental health support groups for these families. We (Mental Health Grace Alliance) have designed Family Grace Groups for family members who have a loved one affected by mental health difficulties and disorders. The groups are led by non-professionals and work in any church. The groups follow a faith-structured curriculum of topics to help understand and navigate challenges and even learning their own self-care. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Depression, Families, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Families impacted by depression…How can the church help?

Posted on February 20, 2013 by Dr. G

How can churches help families impacted by depression to experience the love of Christ? Here are some thoughts…
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Posted in Advocacy, Depression, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Where do I go for help if I think my kid might be depressed?

Posted on February 11, 2013 by Dr. G

It’s been my experience that many churches offer reasonably good short-term counseling and support for adults, but very few will have staff with adequate training or supervision in counseling children or teens. So…where does a parent go to find the right help when they suspect their child needs help for depression? Continue reading →

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