Category Archives: Families

Autism Awareness Month…What about the siblings?

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Dr. G

In honor of Autism Awareness Month, I thought it would be appropriate to share a few resources focusing on siblings of kids with special needs, along with a wonderful resource from the Key Ministry website. Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Families, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Resources | Tagged Ashley Dane, Austin Dane, Autism Awareness, Barb Dittrich, Cody Thompson, Gillian Marchenko, Inclusion Fusion, Jolene Philo, Katie Wetherbee, Key Ministry, siblings, special needs | 1 Comment

Mental illness can kill…even in the best of families

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Dr. G

Growing up in a loving family of great faith or coming to a personal faith in Jesus Christ is no guarantee of being spared of the pain and suffering of mental illness while living in a fallen world. Continue reading →

Posted in Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged Disability Ministry, grief, Inclusion, loss, Matthew Warren, mental illness, outreach, Rick Warren, suicide, torture of mental illness | 9 Comments

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 Autism, Chuck Swindoll, Colleen Swindoll-Thompson, Disability Ministry, Family Ministry, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Insight for Living, Katie Wetherbee, Key Ministry, Special Needs Ministry, World Autism Awareness Day | 4 Comments

Commentary…CDC reports 20% of high school boys diagnosed with ADHD

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Dr. G

The study also reports that 15% of boys have been diagnosed with ADHD, and that nearly 20% of high school boys (along with 10% of high school girls) have received an ADHD diagnosis and one in every ten high school boys currently takes medication for ADHD. Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Controversies, Families, Key Ministry, Mental Health | Tagged ADHD, ADHD epidemic, ADHD prevalence, ADHD rates, CDC, Key Ministry, New York Times, spiritual development, Stephen Grcevich MD, stimulants, Survey of Children's Health Issues | 3 Comments

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 →

Posted in Advocacy, Families, Key Ministry, Leadership, Strategies | Tagged children's ministry, Disability Ministry, Disability Ministry Movement, Family Ministry, Katie Wetherbee, Key Ministry, Special Needs Ministry, youth ministry | Leave a 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 church, Depression, families, Joe Padilla, Key Ministry, Mental Health Grace Alliance | 1 Comment

Not Alone

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Dr. G

Not Alone is a collaboration of parents of kids with special needs, writing for other parents of kids with special needs from a Christian perspective. Many parents involved in the project have become widely read authors in their own right. All have firsthand experience with the struggles involved in raising children with disabilities. They seek to provide a place where parents with similar challenges can “do life” together.
Continue reading →

Posted in Parents, Resources, Stories | Tagged Barb Dittrich, Colleen Swindoll-Thompson, Family Ministry, Gillian Marchenko, Joe and Cindi Ferrini, Jolene Philo, Mike Woods, Not Alone, parenting, Resources, special needs, Stephanie Hubach | Leave a comment

Understanding depression in kids and teens…an epilogue

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Dr. G

We’ve put together a resource page for pastors, church staff, volunteers and parents with interest in the subject of depression and teens. Continue reading →

Posted in Depression, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Key Ministry, Mental Health, Resources | Tagged children, church, Depression, Disability Ministry, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Resources, Stephen Grcevich MD, teens | Leave a comment

Does depression result from a lack of faith?

Posted on February 24, 2013 by Dr. G

Isn’t it possible, perhaps likely that God might use our suffering to strengthen our faith and to draw us into closer relationship with Him? Continue reading →