Episodes

A child won’t sit still, interrupts the lesson, or lashes out at another child. Your volunteers are frustrated. Their parents are bracing for another tap on the shoulder. What should your church do next? Dr. Steve Grcevich welcomes Dr. Robert and Lori Crosby of Reach Hurting Kids Institute to explore what may be happening beneath challenging behavior—and how churches can respond with understanding, connection, and practical support. Drawing on their research and experience in children’s minist...

How can your church support people experiencing mental illness—and where do you begin? Steve Grcevich, Ph.D., welcomes Matthew Stanford, Ph.D., and Madeline Stiers, Ph.D., LCSW-S from Houston’s Hope and Healing Center & Institute for a practical conversation about mental health ministry, faith, and belonging. Together, they explore how churches can respond to mental health needs through trained volunteers, support groups, and connections to professional care. They also address harmful misconcep...

Episode Summary In this episode of Key Ministry The Podcast, host Dr. Steve Grcevich welcomes Laura Howe, a registered social worker, trainer, and founder of Hope Made Strong. Laura shares her journey from clinical mental health social work to empowering church leaders with practical, sustainable tools for care ministry. Together, they discuss the unintended harms that can occur when churches lack clear care structures, how to prevent volunteer burnout, and why systemic frameworks are essential ...

Episode Summary In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, host Dr. Steve Grcevich welcomes Dr. Jedd Medefind, long-time President of the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO). Jedd reflects on his journey from public policy in the White House to leading a nationwide coalition of over 300 organizations dedicated to serving vulnerable children and families. Together, they explore the core principles of building collaborative movements, the role of local churches, and the intersection of faith...

Vacation Bible School season is here, and churches everywhere are preparing decorations, snacks, crafts, lessons, games, registrations, and all the beautiful chaos that comes with welcoming children for a week of gospel-centered ministry. But before VBS begins, there is one important question every church should ask: Is our VBS accessible for every family God has already placed in our care? Show notes at KeyMinistry.org

In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich talks with Dr. Karl Benzio, Chief Psychiatric Officer at Honey Lake Clinic and Medical Director for the American Association of Christian Counselors. Together, they discuss the intersection of mental health care, Christian community, and the local church. Dr. Benzio shares why he believes the church has a vital role to play in caring for individuals and families impacted by mental health struggles, addiction, loneliness, adversity...

What if the church has been asking the wrong question about disability? Too often, disability is presented as a picture of spiritual weakness, brokenness, or a barrier to faith. But when Jesus encounters people impacted by disability, He often does something very different. He highlights their faith, elevates their testimony, and uses their lives to strengthen the faith of others. In this episode, Dr. Chris Hulshof examines the intertwined stories of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the iss...

Starting a disability ministry can feel overwhelming, but it does not have to begin with a full program, a big budget, or a perfectly trained team. Sometimes, it begins with three simple conversations. In this episode of the Key Ministry Podcast, Lauren Hickman continues the Start Here series, also called the Rule of Three series, by walking through the first three conversations that can help a church begin removing barriers for families impacted by disability. Show notes at KeyMinistry.org/Po...

This episode features a main stage message from the Disability & the Church Conference 2025, where Stephanie Hubach walks through the difference between human hope and Christian hope. Human hope is real and often motivating, but it’s uncertain and tied to circumstances that may or may not change. In disability ministry and everyday life, that kind of hope can quickly hit limits—systems fail, expectations fall short, and desired outcomes don’t always come. But Christian hope is different. It’s no...

On this episode of Key Ministry the Podcast, Dr. Chris Hulshof explores a vital question for disability ministry: how do we move from curiosity to compassion? Looking at John 9 and Acts 3, Chris shows how the way we respond to disability reveals what is shaping our hearts. This conversation offers a theological and practical framework for church leaders who want to move beyond questions and toward welcome, empathy, and action.  If disability ministry is going to reflect the heart of Christ, i...

In this episode of Key Ministry, the Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich is joined by Kimberly Britt, Executive Director of Anchor International, to talk about one of the most pressing needs in today’s church—mental health support that is both Christ-centered and practical. Kimberly shares how churches can move from uncertainty and stigma to becoming safe, supportive communities where people can talk about hard things. Drawing from her personal journey and professional experience, she unpacks how peer ...

We’re excited to introduce a new voice on Key Ministry, the Podcast—Lauren Hickman. Lauren is a special education teacher and disabilities ministry leader at Tabernacle Baptist Church. Her heart is simple and clear: to help churches become places where individuals and families impacted by disability are not just accommodated, but truly welcomed and discipled. In this episode, Lauren kicks off a brand-new series focused on something many church leaders are missing—not more ideas, but clear next...

In this episode of the Key Ministry Podcast, Larah Roberts sits down with Britni Marinelli to kick off a brand new series: Disability & the Church Stories. Britni shares an incredible testimony of how God transformed a simple act of respite care into something far greater than she ever imagined. What began as caring for three autistic brothers eventually grew into a home, a family, and a monthly dinner gathering where the gospel is shared around a table of spaghetti. Listeners will hear how God...

What does it look like to care with intentionality? Job’s friends are a fascinating contrast. At first, they do almost everything right. They show up. They stay. They sit in the dirt. And then, later in the book, they say almost everything wrong. This episode focuses on what they did in those first moments of suffering—and how their actions give us a surprisingly clear framework for how to care well when someone is in pain. Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

What does faithful discipleship look like when a teen struggles with ADHD, dyslexia, autism, anxiety, or other hidden disabilities? In this episode of the Key Ministry Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich is joined by Dr. Brian Barrineau, Pastor of Family Ministries at Fruit Cove Baptist Church, for a practical and deeply encouraging conversation about discipling teens with learning differences. Hidden disabilities are often misunderstood. They aren’t always visible. They don’t always come with clear l...

In many churches, grandparents are the ones bringing their grandkids to church—often stepping in as caregivers, spiritual anchors, and advocates, especially when disability is part of the story. In this episode, Sandra Peoples is joined by David Armijo, Special Needs Ministry Director at Champion Forest Baptist Church, to talk honestly about what churches need to understand when grandparents are the primary connection point. From communication gaps and generational differences to stigma, fatigu...

A single letter forced one pastor to confront what his church wasn’t ready for—and what God was calling him to lead. Pastor Jonathan shares his journey from awareness to conviction to action, offering an honest look at leadership, humility, and the slow work of cultural change in the local church. Visit https://disabilityandthechurch.com/ to register.

You don’t need the situational awareness of Jason Bourne to be effective in disability ministry. Jesus shows us that true disability awareness is much simpler and far more meaningful. It means going to where the need is, starting genuine conversations, and leading individuals with a disability into a personal and growing relationship with Him. This is the heart of faithful, gospel-centered disability ministry. Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

Pastors are often expected to be resilient, spiritually strong, and emotionally steady—especially in the face of crisis. But what happens when church leaders themselves are carrying unresolved trauma from their own past? In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich sits down with counselor and researcher Jeremy Smith to explore the often-unspoken reality of trauma in pastors’ lives and why addressing it matters for the health of the Church. This conversation moves beyond the...

As we end one year and look forward to the next, we can praise God for all He’s done in 2025. In this episode, Sandra Peoples shares ten wins from the disability ministry movement. She also covers five things she’s looking forward to in 2026. Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes. Links: Joni & Friends released an updated version of Beyond Suffering Awe & Wonder released a salvation resource kit Key’s YouTube page review of Accessible Church for Christianity Today Engaging Disability w...

In this episode of the Key Ministry podcast, join Dr. Chris Hulshof as he reflects on one of the lesser-known yet deeply meaningful names of Jesus found in Luke 2: The Consolation of Israel.” Drawing from Simeon’s encounter with the infant Christ, this conversation explores how Jesus is not a consolation prize for a broken world, but God’s personal comfort given to His people. For families and individuals impacted by disability, this name of Jesus offers real hope, belonging, and rest during th...

What helps vulnerable kids truly heal and thrive—especially children navigating disability, trauma, foster care, or adoption? In this conversation, Dr. Steve Grcevich sits down with Rachel Medefind, Director of the Institute for Family Centered Healing and Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), to explore how God uses loving families, local churches, and simple daily practices to foster whole-person health. Drawing from her own story, her work at CAFO, and current research, Rache...

Sandra talks with Tammy Dunkum about how her church shares the gospel with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and disciples both participants and families over time. Tammy shares practical classroom strategies, sensory-aware gospel conversations, and stories of God’s work—from a first grader learning who Jesus is to a sensory-friendly VBS that reached unchurched families. Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Dr. Chris Hulshof invites us into Mark 3 and the healing of the man with the withered hand. As Jesus confronts religious leaders with “calloused hearts,” we’re challenged to consider where our own hearts may have grown hard—especially in how we see, serve, and welcome people with disabilities in the life of the church. This is a gospel-centered call to trade systems, silence, and self-protection for love, mercy, and faithful service. Visit KeyMinist...