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.
This article was shared with me by Pastor Rachel, who serves on the USA/Canada Region. It highlights a story from a family with special needs. Thank you, Pastor Rachel!
Did you know that Nazarene Disability Ministry will be offering online small groups for families with disabilities? We are excited to say we launched our pilot group in October 2024 (Thank you, Northwest District, for hosting this group!). More groups will be coming across more districts as we enter into 2025!
I can hardly get my mind wrapped around the fact that it is already September! It is hard to believe that it has been almost a year since I had a conversation with Scott Rainey about disability ministry in the Church of the Nazarene. God has been so good during this first year. We have made some great strides in making disability ministry resources more accessible to the local church.
It has been a blessing to see the doors that have opened and the people who have come together to help make this ministry a reality. I thought it would be helpful to provide some updates about the ministry and ways that you can be involved. At this stage, I have a direct contact for Disability Ministry with just over half of our districts on the USA/Canada Region. Praise God for a great response from district leadership!