Category Archives: Stories

Obsessing on the story…Dave Lynden

Posted on April 9, 2014 by Dr. G

The “spiritual autism” that isolates us from others is penetrated, in part, by a story God has weaved into the fabric of our very being. And in that sense, it is not only we who are obsessing over a story, but God who is drawing us in- connecting with us, telling us we are part of the story! Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Join us for a conversation with Emily Colson

Posted on April 6, 2014 by Dr. G

Her uplifting account of how God has used Max to be a blessing to the people of her church are an inspiring reminder that persons with special needs also have gifts and talents to contribute to the work of the church…and a reminder of how the church is diminished without the inclusion of families impacted by disability. Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Key Ministry, Spiritual Development, Stories, Training Events | 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

A success story from one of our colleagues…

Posted on March 21, 2014 by Dr. G

During the Praise and worship service, one of the young ladies looked at me with tears coming down her face…during her favorite song. I talked with her for a minute and then got on my knees and prayed with her. She accepted Christ. Continue reading →

Posted in Inclusion, Intellectual Disabilities, Stories | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 Perry Noble’s admission says about mental illness, stigma and church

Posted on February 28, 2014 by Dr. G

What’s fascinating (from a psychiatrist’s perspective) about Perry’s experiences is the progression he went through over a period of years in his attitudes regarding mental illness and what they may have to say about levels of stigma in the church related to mental health treatment. Continue reading →

Posted in Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

One Family’s Journey in the Bible Belt…guest post from Stephanie Prosser

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Dr. G

Stephanie offered to share her family’s story with our readers. It serves as a stark reminder that while great strides are being made in opening more churches to families of kids with special medical, behavioral, emotional and developmental needs, there continue to be cities of substantial size here in the U.S. where families impacted by disability have nowhere to go on Sunday mornings if they wish to worship as a family. Here’s Stephanie… Continue reading →

Posted in Advocacy, Autism, Families, Inclusion, Key Ministry, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

A success story from my church…

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Dr. G

I saw the following story in my church bulletin this morning and wanted to share it to remind everyone how much of a difference inclusion ministry done well can make in the lives of the families served. Kudos to Beth Golik and her crew at Bay Presbyterian Church for a job well done! Continue reading →

Posted in ADHD, Autism, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Celebrating Rebecca’s ministry…

Posted on February 9, 2014 by Dr. G

I’d like to make a request of our readers…if you know Rebecca, or serve at a church where you’ve seen God use her service to be a blessing to others, please leave a comment below!
Continue reading →

Posted in Key Ministry, Leadership, Stories | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment