Disability Ministry in 2025

Individuals with disabilities are the largest minority population in the United States. Still, they are invisible in data because disability is considered a negative medical outcome. According to the Christian Council for Persons with Disabilities (2019), 80 percent of families who have a loved one with special needs are unchurched. Disability Ministry is not meant to be a nice new thing for a church to try. Disability Ministry is meant to be a way to strengthen God's kingdom. At M25, we were able to share resources and information about how we can reach out to those in our community who are often unseen. Herein you will find a shortened version of that information.

The Adapted Discipleship Library (ADL) is a FREE website created by Wonderful Works Ministry in partnership with the Church of the Nazarene. There are four primary portions of the ADL (training videos, social narratives, classroom tools, and adapted Bible story videos). We have included short “how to” videos to explain the purpose and use of the resources that are available. There are also additional resources available such as a coaching page that includes a space to schedule a free consultation with our special education consultant, Nazarene resources and links, and links to other organizations that help churches with disability ministry. Our hope is that these resources will help train, educate, and equip the local church.

You can find the ADL at library.wonderfulworksministry.org or by scanning the QR code below. In order to download materials from the ADL, you will have to create an account. Don’t worry, it is completely free—no strings attached.    

Nazarene Disability Ministry is also providing online small groups for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities. These online small groups have the benefit of mutual support from others who can relate. We hope that ideas, successes, set-backs, and milestones can be shared in a supportive and encouraging community. It is our desire to cultivate a sense of belonging and a deeper level of personal faith. We also hope that authentic relationships can be built through which we can learn, grow, and engage in relationships that honor God and edify the Body of Christ.

We are utilizing district leaders to facilitate these groups. If you are interested in learning more about the online small groups or if you may be interested in facilitating a group on your district, please contact me (rnelson@nazarene.org).

Another exciting thing happening in Disability Ministry is the network that God is orchestrating within our own denomination! At the time of writing this article, the Nazarene Adaptive Network includes Nazarene Disability Ministry, Nurturing Care, and the Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute.

Dean Blevins at Nazarene Theological Seminary is leading the Nurturing Care initiative. Nurturing Care partners with churches to design worship and prayer experiences for children as we deepen kids’ experiences of God and nurture care across the congregation. You can learn more about Nurturing Care by visiting their website: https://nurturingcare.org

Brad Lee is the founder of the Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute. Brad provides education, training, and resources that support the special needs marriage and family community. They also provide resources and training to equip churches and clinical caregivers for this highly specialized and challenging ministry. As they are expanding their ministry, they will soon include therapeutic services for families impacted by special needs, as well as university training for students entering the special needs field. Learn more at https://walkingwithkaydan.com/    

Thank you for praying for Disability Ministry!