Category Archives: Inclusion Fusion

Faces of the Movement: Matt Stanford

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Dr. G

Matt’s presentation is designed for anyone interested in learning more about mental illness from a Biblical perspective. Topics covered in this workshop will include:

What is a Biblical and clinical understanding/response to mental illness?
How to recognize mental illness.
The essential role of the church in the recovery and treatment process.
How to respond to families dealing with mental illness.
How to create mental health related supportive care within the church.
Resources to help families navigate the health care system and everyday life.
Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement…Bryan Roe

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Dr. G

When I reached middle school, my tics were so bad so overmedicated that I began to wonder, If God is so loving, why would he give me this? I also began to wonder if he could possibly have a plan for a person like me. This caused a massive cloud of depression and doubt to set in until one night, contemplating suicide, I prayed an honest prayer of surrender. From there, everything changed. Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement…Barb Dittrich

Posted on October 14, 2012 by Dr. G

I have been VERY blessed to be mentored by excellent mothers in both the faith community and the special needs community, but never both combined as we are offering in this program. Nevertheless, those mentors were absolute lifelines to me. They were critical in my darkest hours. I have also been blessed to serve as a spiritual mentor to a mom with a son who has special needs. (No coincidence in my opinion.). The mutual edification and significance from that relationship was remarkable.
Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement…Gillian Marchenko

Posted on October 12, 2012 by Dr. G

The authenticity of her writing immediately caught my attention. She’s written some fabulous blog posts on her personal experience with depression that’s among the best stuff I’ve seen on mental health from a Christian perspective. This post in particular is especially appropriate for Mental Illness Awareness Week. Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement: Mike Beates (Part Two)

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Dr. G

Every family with disability is unique in their needs and in the gifts they bring. If a church seeks to enter this vital area of ministry, they should start with those whom God brings to them. Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement: Mike Beates

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Dr. G

Looking back, Mary and I went into a free fall spiritually. “How could God do this to us?” we asked without necessarily saying it out loud. But over the years, her quiet – indeed wordless – life spoke volumes to us about trusting God more fully. Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement: Ben Conner (Part Two)

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Dr. G

On another level, I love to share in Bible study and prayer with kids with disabilities and I think they should all be included in the major weekly event of our congregations, Sunday worship. Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement: Ben Conner

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Dr. G

So my strategy is to go where kids with developmental disabilities gather or are gathered: Buddy sports programs, help out at a local school, volunteer at a therapeutic horse riding facility, get involved in Special Olympics, or even have someone from your church start a program, like an assisted art program, that supports that community. When you reach out in love to kids with developmental disabilities you will also being serving their families. Continue reading →

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Jesus doesn’t want anybody left by the side of the road!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Dr. G

Mike has graciously shared with us his video response to the question “Why?” As usual, he doesn’t disappoint! We’re all looking forward to Mike’s Inclusion Fusion presentation, Partnering With Parents. Continue reading →

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Blessed to be scandalously generous

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Dr. G

I don’t know how I’d tell a leader interested in the resources we offer without the means to pay for them that they couldn’t come to our conference. And thanks to the generosity of our ministry supporters, I’m blessed that I don’t have to. Continue reading →

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