Category Archives: Training Events

Faces of the Movement: Ann and John Holmes

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Dr. G

We are still figuring out how to “market” this vision to build a church committed to ministry to special needs individuals and their families. We have done some of this right as we are finding our way. We have made mistakes. There is a two-pronged focus of welcoming special needs individuals and their families while also reaching out to more “typical” individuals and families. In our culture it is difficult to sell more “typical” parents with more “typical” children on what a huge blessing participating in a church with this vision can and will be. Continue reading →

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The Special Needs Ministry App…Mike Woods

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Dr. G

The primary way that I hope parents will make use of our app is as a daily or weekly resource for encouragement and for ideas to nurture their child’s faith. Parents of children with special needs are b-u-s-y! The goal is not to engage parents to do all things related to strengthening their child’s faith! The app is designed to support parents in discovering one small thing that they can do, one small step that they can take to help their child become who God wants them to be. Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Families, Hidden Disabilities, Inclusion, Inclusion Fusion, Resources, Strategies | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Faces of the Movement…Mike Woods of First Baptist Orlando

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Dr. G

As I read through Deut. 6:4-7, Psalm 78, and the central focus of the books I mentioned, I was reminded that as a parent I’m the one that God holds primarily responsible for my boys’ spiritual development. My problem was that as a father to three boys on the autism spectrum, I had become so focused on their social, emotional, academic, and communication needs that I had been neglecting their spiritual needs. Continue reading →

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Cara Daily…Do I have to have surgery to open my heart to Jesus?

Posted on October 22, 2012 by Dr. G

Cara’s presentation for Inclusion Fusion 2012 will be Do I Have to Have Surgery to Open My Heart to Jesus? In her interview, Cara will discuss how to present the Gospel to children with autism. Continue reading →

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Faces of the Movement…Nick Palermo

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Dr. G

What is the culture of kids with disabilities? What are their unique needs? The family’s unique needs? Why has the church been so hesitant to respond? And specifically when 20 % of the teen population has some form of a disability why don’t we see them represented in our youth ministries? How could they fit in to our communities? What it would like? Continue reading →

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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 →

Posted in Inclusion Fusion, Mental Health | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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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