Sarah Barnes recalls when she and others went to Tom Nelson, then pastor of First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, back in 1960, and asked about beginning a Bible study class for handicapped children and adults. Now 51 years later, she still teaches the Gordon Barnes
Churches that do a good job of including members with special needs like autism often reap side benefits of a positive witness to their community and sometimes even numerical growth, says an expert in disability ministries.
People with disabilities don’t want churches that just “welcome” them, but rather congregations that value them and include them in living a “full life of faith,” a long-time advocate for special-needs ministry said.
By Jennifer Harris Word&Way News Writer “This has always been a place where we’ve talking about the presence of God,” Phil Briggs told those gathered at Windermere’s 50th Anniversary Celebration morning watch. “We need such oases.” Around 500 Baptists gathered