Episodes

Show Notes for Podcast 69 – “Support, Encouragement, Ideas, Training, Resources for YOU” Today on the Podcast we are talking about all the ways that we engage with and support parents and caregivers and also ministry leaders. If you are feeling stuck or isolated, need to brainstorm some ideas over a puzzle or concern, would like to know of resources, or if you just need someone to talk to, give this podcast a listen. You may find something that resonates with you. We invite you to engage with...

Show Notes for Podcast 68 – “Why You Should Come to DATC2025” On May 1st through 3rd, we had the wonderful privilege of attending, speaking at, and having an exhibitor table at the Disability and the Church 2024 (a/k/a DATC2024) Conference put on by Key Ministry and the Tim Tebow Foundation. The Disability and the Church conference was such an amazing time. Where else can you be with 500 other people with the same passion – supporting individuals living with disability and their families by wor...

Most of us face some kind of crisis in our lifetimes. Families affected by disability encounter situations that could be considered – catastrophes, dilemmas, disasters, emergencies, or troublesome – often and sometimes daily, at least during some seasons. As we go through the crisis, we may feel a whole range of emotions. We may feel anxious, guilty, angry, afraid, confused, hopeless, vulnerable, and maybe even helpless. Join us as we discuss what we can do during these stressful situations. ...

For the last four years, we have spent a significant amount of time meeting with and collaborating with leaders all over the country who are passionate about keeping disability ministry on many levels moving and growing and about supporting those along the way who want to participate in the movement. We are very optimistic. We see many ministry leaders’ mindsets changing and gaining a better understanding of people with disabilities and their role in the church. We are hopeful because we are a...

Today on the podcast we are talking about perseverance – pushing through those hard times. We all have them. Recently we asked some folks in our local support group and in our Champions4Parents Facebook Community group four questions about how they persevere when it’s tough and what encourages them. What inspires you to persevere in hard times? How are you most encouraged in your walk as a parent of a child with disabilities? Inspiration: Where do you get yours to keep going through tough st...

Today on the podcast we are talking about creating environments where those with disabilities can push through discouragement, grow, shine, and bring to the world what they were intended to bring. Whether you are a parent, another type of caregiver, or you work with someone with disability in the church setting, this podcast is for you. Tune in as we take a different route. Instead of approaching this from the disability itself, let’s start with all of the ABILITIES. Let’s reframe. If this Po...

Show Notes for Podcast 63 – “Trailmap for Life” Today on the Podcast we introduce you to a free Life Skills resource and invite you to join us in providing input to the organization that created it to address some of the needs of the disability community. Most of us, as adults, are in pursuit of making life better, of doing life more efficiently, of maximizing the resources that are available to us, of using our gifts and talents with good benefit to us and to others. We want our children and ...

Show Notes for Podcast 62 – “Sleep Issues? 25 Tips to Help You Catch some more Z-z-z-s” At our house, we have sleep issues. Can you relate? Join us on the Podcast today as we share some ideas that may make it easier for you to GET to sleep and to GET BACK to sleep. As we promised in this Podcast: Here is the link with a few tips from Healthline.com: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/17-tips-to-sleep-better If this Podcast has been helpful to you, we invite you to check out more Podcasts a...

Recently we had the privilege of teaching a class of adults with disabilities for six weeks. We heard their victories and we also heard their hurts. Many of them have had countless experiences of cruelty and thoughtlessness acted out toward them. When we looked into their eyes as they were telling their stories of abuse and persecution and being overlooked, underappreciated, and undervalued, it broke our hearts to see that pain. The question is how do we help our friends with disabilities take ...

Join us on this Podcast entitled “MELTDOWNS” as we discuss what meltdowns can look like and how we can support individual children or adults with disabilities showing signs of a potential meltdown coming or when they are in the midst of a full-on meltdown. We cover some potential triggers and strategies to put in place. Here are some links of good resources that we mention in the podcast: Helping to bring back the calm for the caregiver or ministry person as well as the individual with disabi...

Join us on this Podcast entitled “The Challenges of Traveling with Disability” as we discuss some of the unique challenges special needs families encounter while traveling. The resilience of families affected by disability never ceases to amaze us. There is this underlying persistence and grit that propels forward motion to do what needs doing moment by moment. God is in these moments. Our children, siblings, and friends with disabilities are fearfully and wonderfully made by a loving Creator....

Join us on this Podcast entitled “Every Child Needs?” as we discuss some things we learned at a recent appreciation lunch/training for volunteers in the disability ministry of our church. Listen in as we talk a little more about these four things that Every Child Needs: To know Jesus personally. To be known by name. To be prayed for weekly. To be discipled. If you would like support in brainstorming ideas on this or any topic specific or of concern to you, please don’t hesitate to email us...

Join us on this Podcast entitled “Special Needs or Disabled?” as we discuss the words used to describe people with disabilities. There are strong opinions around the language of disability. What should be our response? As a parent or as someone who serves in disability ministry, what is the correct terminology? Listen in as we share terms and some meanings and the place we have come to for ourselves in dealing with this ever-changing lingo. If you would like support in brainstorming ideas on ...

Ministry is hard. It can be very lonely and a bit overwhelming. Join us on this Podcast entitled “Tips for Ministry Folks to Serve more Effectively” to find out ways that you can combat the loneliness and address the overwhelm. Our goal in this podcast is for you to find something that can boost you as you carry out the tasks before you. Please know you are not alone and that we are here to serve you. Parents – Let’s encourage the leaders who are working with our loved ones. Feel free to share...

Parents and Caregivers are you feeling a little low? Wondering why your family is dealing with special needs? Are you sad that you cannot do what you used to be able to do? Are you grieving over the loss of the life you anticipated for you and your family? Join us on this Podcast entitled “Feeling Lonely” for one way that may help you to get out of the doldrums. You may hear just what you need today to encourage you in your own journey in this season. This Podcast is for you if you are a dad ...

Raising children with disabilities is challenging. Along the journey, we, as parents, learn some things. Join us on this Podcast entitled “Lessons Learned Raising a Child with Disabilities” and hear from parents. Take courage from other parents. Know that you are not alone. Gain wisdom and get tips that could make your days a little lighter. You may hear just what you need to hear today to encourage you in your own journey in this season. This Podcast is for you if you are a dad or a mom of ...

Family. Sometimes extended family including folks like Grandparents, Siblings, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, etc. are very helpful as we navigate life with a child with disabilities. Other times, family gatherings are filled with more anxiety than cozy Hallmark moments. Join us on this Podcast entitled “Surviving Extended Family Events” where we will share challenges many parents face and some ideas and solutions that might make your family events more doable. This Podcast is for you if you are a da...

Community. We all need it. Today on the Podcast, we talk about the benefits we get when we are part of a community. We also share with you different ways that you may be able to find community for you and your family. This Podcast is for you if you are a dad or a mom looking to find community, or a ministry leader desiring to help families affected by disabilities to find community. If you would like support in brainstorming ideas on this or any topic specific to you, please don’t hesitate to ...

Dads, we know that you have a lot to process when your children have significant challenges. Join us as we discuss Tom’s own struggles as a dad and what he found to be helpful in navigating being part of a family affected by disabilities. We also talk about the broader spectrum of what other dads may be feeling. Moms, you may want to catch this chat to find out what the dad of your child may be experiencing and what you can do to help. Leaders in churches and faith communities, we invite you to...

Mama, you are going full speed ahead taking care of the needs of everyone around you. It is what you do, because you love them. But – here’s the question – are you realizing that you need to nourish you as well? Have you been so focused on your loved ones for such an extended period of time, forgetting to nourish you, that you may be dangerously close to empty? Are you showing signs of depletion, physically, spiritually, emotionally, and/or mentally? This Podcast is for you. Take 15 minutes tod...

Teamwork in Disability Ministry Teamwork in Disability Ministry – Parents, Volunteers, & Staff – You are the Disability Ministry Team! This Podcast concludes a four part series entitled “Working Together in Disability Ministry” Today’s Podcast “Teamwork in Disability Ministry” is directed to all members of the team: Parents, Volunteers, & Staff. Join us as we discuss Jesus’ example of what we need to do to build a team that works together for the Glory of God, in the Name of Jesus, and by the ...

Staff in Disability Ministry Parents and Volunteers need your shepherding leadership. Tune in as we talk about your unique challenges and support you in this challenging role. This Podcast continues a four part series entitled “Working Together in Disability Ministry” Today’s Podcast “Staff in Disability Ministry” is directed to Staff. However, we invite parents/caregivers and volunteers of churches and other faith-based organizations to have a listen, too. It will help you to focus on staff ...

Volunteers in Disability Ministry Volunteers in Disability Ministry – you are a gift to parents and caregivers and also to the staff members who are commissioned to serve them. This Podcast continues a four part series entitled “Working Together in Disability Ministry” Today’s Podcast “Volunteers in Disability Ministry” is directed to volunteers. However, we invite parents/caregivers and staff of churches and other faith-based organizations to have a listen, too. It will help you to focus on v...

Parents in Disability Ministry Finding a faith-based community that works well for your loved one affected by disability can be a lonely and frustrating one. There are several people with differing roles that need to come together to make it work. Today’s Podcast “Parents – Disability Ministry” is directed to parents. However, we invite volunteers and staff of churches and other faith-based organizations to have a listen, too. It will give you a helpful perspective as you work with parents. I...