Category Archives: Families

Who knew? Guest blogger Denise Schamens

Posted on April 27, 2014 by Dr. G

I asked him if he wanted to talk about God. He spelled out “yes.” I asked if he understood what it means to be baptized? He spelled out “it means to accept Jesus into your heart.” Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The experiment…

Posted on April 24, 2014 by Dr. G

In helping local churches to make their worship services, Christian education, small groups and service activities available online, we’re providing them the opportunity to introduce the church to families in an environment that works best for that family. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reflections on our first weekend of online church….

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Dr. G

Her son was having a rough week with brain stem seizures. She was so grateful to attend that Easter service online! At the end of the service, she told me her son’s seizures had stopped and he had fallen peacefully asleep. Glory to God! Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Front Door…Online Church For Families Impacted By Disabilities

Posted on April 17, 2014 by Dr. G

We believe The Front Door represents a new expression of Christian community…an online extension of the local church through which children and families may be introduced to Jesus Christ via technology in environments chosen by their parents and caregivers at times of the day when families impacted by disability may be more receptive to teaching and discipleship. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Ten truths for parents of kids with autism…Colleen Swindoll-Thompson

Posted on April 14, 2014 by Dr. G

Yet, in it all, I have more freedom, more joy, more hope because it is birthed and grown by the grace of my sovereign, faithful, good, unlimited God and Heavenly Father. Dear friend or parent, if I may offer you some rays of hope in the dark tunnel of autism, may our Lord be honored and your soul be filled with hope. Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Families, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Emily Colson…Becoming Still

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Dr. G

We’ve come a long way since those early years of staying home on Sunday mornings when we couldn’t find our place. Back then, like so many families, we couldn’t even make it across the threshold. Autism held us hostage. I had to make a conscious decision to go forward every day, no matter what, and claim the abundant life God promises. I always knew Max needed the church, but no one could have imagined how much the church needed Max. Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Stories, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

An unexpected plot twist…”Movie with Max”

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Dr. G

“I had a lot of parents, hundreds of parents that contacted me and said thank you for sharing this story, because this happens in my family, it happens in the community, it might look different but it even happens in our church that we can’t find our way in and people feel like you’re disrupting us.” Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Stories, Training Events | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Now that I’m the parent of an adult…

Posted on March 12, 2014 by Dr. G

It would be difficult for me to be more proud of the person Leah has grown up to be. She has an incredible work ethic. She’s maintained commitments to her dance team, her Science Olympiad team, her music, her volunteer work, her work at Cleveland Clinic , and hopefully…her twelfth and final season on her summer swim team. She’s never backed down from any academic challenges. Her accomplishments through high school are more substantial than mine were at her age.
Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Stories | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

What if a parent ALSO has mental health issues?

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Dr. G

When we’re talking about kids experiencing mental health concerns that keep them from church, there’s a reasonable possibility that their mother or father experienced or continue to experience similar difficulties that kept them from attending church. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Anxiety Disorders, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Kids don’t want to be seen as “different”

Posted on March 4, 2014 by Dr. G

The best possible solutions for including kids with mental illness at church would include those offering potential benefits to all children and families without drawing attention to any particular child, those that help kids to prepare privately for participation in church activities outside the scrutiny of peers and solutions that offer necessary supports without requiring children or families to self-identify in order to receive help. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Ministry Environments | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment