Summer 2011

What We’ve Learned

Passion and perspective from other EFCA leaders

My Eyes Have Been Opened

Quintin Stieff, pastor, Valley Church, West Des Moines, Iowa

For years, the evangelical church didn’t seem to notice the hundreds of verses in the Scriptures about serving the poor. I had the same “aha moment” with the area of disabilities. Once my eyes were opened, I had a whole new perspective on the Gospels and Acts. Jesus takes special notice of and shows extraordinary compassion to those who cannot walk or speak, to those who are blind or deaf or have leprosy or some other kind of disability.

For me, this is an integral part of Christ’s mission. It’s not an add-on. People talk about reconciliation and diversity in the church, but we often think diversity is only about ethnicity, nationality, gender, etc. One of the most overlooked people groups is the disabled.

If we really figured out a way to adequately love people with disabilities and to help them with spiritual, physical, emotional and material needs, I don’t think our facilities could contain the number of people who would come to us.

Notice the Person

Judy Hollander, children’s ministry director, First EFC, Wichita, Kan.

I went with Evanelle Olinger, director of our special-needs ministry, on the first home visit we did as we began to intentionally serve children with special needs. We sat with a mom cradling her 6-year-old son who had been born with severe disabilities. Evanelle’s first question to the mom was, “Tell us the things that Nathaniel can do?” This mother’s eyes lit up as she described her son to us. I was so moved that Evanelle knew to ask about the person—not the disability.

Compel Them to Come

Alex Rivero, pastor, Nueva Vida Comunidad Cristiana (plant of The Bridge EFC); and John Evans, pastor of worship, The Bridge EFC, Newbury Park, Calif.

Alex: There is a traditional way of thinking about disability among Hispanics, and most are in denial. There’s shame. Many times families won’t look for help for their family member, especially if he or she is an adult. And because of language differences, it’s hard to communicate their needs. We have three families in the Hispanic community who come to our church with disabled children or adults. It took awhile for me to convince them it’s OK to bring them to church.

John: Look at the story of David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9). David sent a regiment to a place called Lo Debar to get Mephibosheth and invite him to sit at David’s table. I think there’s another population to do that for—the people who are either disenfranchised or hidden in places like Lo Debar, the desolate places.

Sometimes it’s just too overwhelming for families to get their loved one to a service. Sometimes they have to be compelled. As Jesus says in His parable in Luke 14:23, “Compel them to come in, so that My house will be full.”

That means more than just a brochure saying, “We have accommodations.” That means a champion who will go into the community and compel the people to come in, assure them that this is not only a safe place but also a place where they will be mobilized for the kingdom of God. I think there are millions of [potential] pastors, teachers and missionaries out there whom we’ve called “the disabled” but have never identified as partners in ministry.

Special-Needs Church

Bruce & Mary Damon, ReachGlobal staff members, Merciful Love Family Fellowship, Macau, China

Our entire church plant revolves around special-needs ministry. “Normal” families are welcomed, but they are not the norm for us!

At our previous church we had just one family with a special-needs son. He was basically getting baby-sitting while his parents attended the regular service, so it was far from ideal. When his family tried to invite friends with similar children, the guests would be embarrassed by the trouble their children caused and would not return.

So when it was time for us to plant a second church in Macau, we asked this family to join us in starting a church where families like theirs would not be a problem but in fact be the focus of the ministry.

This is working out well. Conversions are slow in coming, but attendance among believers and unbelievers alike is very regular, so the Holy Spirit has time to work in their hearts.

If this significant “hidden people group” is going to be reached for Christ, they need a consistent witness that allows for their children’s behavioral difficulties.

At our church, the parents are present and usually active to some degree for all the main activities we do with the children. Since they come from a background of idol worship, this has proven to be an excellent way of introducing them to Bible truth in ways they can understand. Just the fact that we are enjoying their children and clearly working hard to provide meaningful activities is a powerful testimony of Christ’s love.

Not a Burden

Jenny Garrison, children’s ministry director, Spring Lake Church, Green Bay, Wis.

Our director of special-needs ministry takes time to talk to each new parent to learn all about a child, then introduces that child to a classroom—either a regular classroom with an aide, or a contained classroom with a professional teacher. Many couples hadn’t been to church in months or years because they didn’t think the church could handle their child. We have seen God bring a spouse to Christ because that spouse could actually attend church for the first time and see the love of Christ through our special-needs team.

What We've Learned

My Eyes Have Been Opened

Quintin Stieff, pastor, Valley Church, West Des Moines, Iowa

For years, the evangelical church didn’t seem to notice the hundreds of verses in the Scriptures about serving the poor. I had the same “aha moment” with the area of disabilities. Once my eyes were opened, I had a whole new perspective on the Gospels and Acts. Jesus takes special notice of and shows extraordinary compassion to those who cannot walk or speak, to those who are blind or deaf or have leprosy or some other kind of disability.

For me, this is an integral part of Christ’s mission. It’s not an add-on. People talk about reconciliation and diversity in the church, but we often think diversity is only about ethnicity, nationality, gender, etc. One of the most overlooked people groups is the disabled.

If we really figured out a way to adequately love people with disabilities and to help them with spiritual, physical, emotional and material needs, I don’t think our facilities could contain the number of people who would come to us.

Notice the Person

Judy Hollander, children’s ministry director, First EFC, Wichita, Kan.

I went with Evanelle Olinger, director of our special-needs ministry, on the first home visit we did as we began to intentionally serve children with special needs. We sat with a mom cradling her 6-year-old son who had been born with severe disabilities. Evanelle’s first question to the mom was, “Tell us the things that Nathaniel can do?” This mother’s eyes lit up as she described her son to us. I was so moved that Evanelle knew to ask about the person—not the disability.

Compel Them to Come

Alex Rivero, pastor, Nueva Vida Comunidad Cristiana (plant of The Bridge EFC); and John Evans, pastor of worship, The Bridge EFC, Newbury Park, Calif.

Alex: There is a traditional way of thinking about disability among Hispanics, and most are in denial. There’s shame. Many times families won’t look for help for their family member, especially if he or she is an adult. And because of language differences, it’s hard to communicate their needs. We have three families in the Hispanic community who come to our church with disabled children or adults. It took awhile for me to convince them it’s OK to bring them to church.

John: Look at the story of David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9). David sent a regiment to a place called Lo Debar to get Mephibosheth and invite him to sit at David’s table. I think there’s another population to do that for—the people who are either disenfranchised or hidden in places like Lo Debar, the desolate places.

Sometimes it’s just too overwhelming for families to get their loved one to a service. Sometimes they have to be compelled. As Jesus says in His parable in Luke 14:23, “Compel them to come in, so that My house will be full.”

That means more than just a brochure saying, “We have accommodations.” That means a champion who will go into the community and compel the people to come in, assure them that this is not only a safe place but also a place where they will be mobilized for the kingdom of God. I think there are millions of [potential] pastors, teachers and missionaries out there whom we’ve called “the disabled” but have never identified as partners in ministry.


Disability Ministry Internship The Bridge EFC in Newbury Park, Calif., is hosting a disability ministry internship, open to anyone in an EFCA congregation. Interns will receive training from Joni & Friends and experience how disability ministry works at the local-church level. For more information, contact John Evans by email or phone (805.262.5000, ext. 703)


Special-Needs Church

Bruce & Mary Damon, ReachGlobal staff members, Merciful Love Family Fellowship, Macau, China

Our entire church plant revolves around special-needs ministry. “Normal” families are welcomed, but they are not the norm for us!

At our previous church we had just one family with a special-needs son. He was basically getting baby-sitting while his parents attended the regular service, so it was far from ideal. When his family tried to invite friends with similar children, the guests would be embarrassed by the trouble their children caused and would not return.

So when it was time for us to plant a second church in Macau, we asked this family to join us in starting a church where families like theirs would not be a problem but in fact be the focus of the ministry.

This is working out well. Conversions are slow in coming, but attendance among believers and unbelievers alike is very regular, so the Holy Spirit has time to work in their hearts.

If this significant “hidden people group” is going to be reached for Christ, they need a consistent witness that allows for their children’s behavioral difficulties.

At our church, the parents are present and usually active to some degree for all the main activities we do with the children. Since they come from a background of idol worship, this has proven to be an excellent way of introducing them to Bible truth in ways they can understand. Just the fact that we are enjoying their children and clearly working hard to provide meaningful activities is a powerful testimony of Christ’s love.

Not a Burden

Jenny Garrison, children’s ministry director, Spring Lake Church, Green Bay, Wis.

Our director of special-needs ministry takes time to talk to each new parent to learn all about a child, then introduces that child to a classroom—either a regular classroom with an aide, or a contained classroom with a professional teacher. Many couples hadn’t been to church in months or years because they didn’t think the church could handle their child. We have seen God bring a spouse to Christ because that spouse could actually attend church for the first time and see the love of Christ through our special-needs team.