On May 1-3, 2024, the Disability and the Church Conference hosted by Key Ministry took place in Orlando, Florida, United States. The conference featured speakers and exhibitors from different parts of North America and various denominations and ministries who provided vital information about ways to foster an inclusive worship experience for individuals with and without a disability. They discussed the importance of accessible physical spaces, inclusive language, and imagery in worship materials and trained volunteers to support individuals with disabilities during services. Speakers and attendees also shared inspiring testimonies about their personal or family-related experiences with a disability.

The Disability and the Church Conference expanded the knowledge of Charlotte LV Thoms, Disabilities Ministries coordinator for the North American Division; Jennifer Sankey-Battles, Health and Disabilities Ministries director for the Southeastern Conference; and Shaun Brooks, Disabilities Ministries coordinator for the Georgia-Cumberland Conference, who represented the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Brooks, a featured speaker at the “quick takes” sessions, which were 10-minute presentations, gave a testimony on how parenting his daughter, who has autism, has made him a better pastor.

Thoms, Sankey-Battles, and Brooks enjoyed connecting with and gaining new insights from more than 20 representatives of various ministries such as Special Opportunities Abilities and Relationships (SOAR) Special Needs, Nathaniel’s Hope, Joni and Friends, and Wonderful Works Ministry. This valuable networking experience came thanks to the interactions of Rosemary Graham, who was the first from the Seventh-day Adventist Church to actively serve on the Disability Ministry Network (DMN) Board and several other ministry committees. The three Seventh-day Adventist representatives collaborated, sharing ideas on ways to use the information within the church to grow disabilities ministries and develop stronger partnerships with organizations skilled in this unique ministry.

At the conclusion of the conference, Thoms, Sankey-Battles, and Brooks were united in their mission to take what they had learned and educate other leaders on advocacy and available resources providing access and accommodations for an inclusive worship experience for individuals with disabilities. 

Brooks was extremely blessed by the opportunity to attend his first Disability & the Church Conference, particularly the “quick takes” sessions. He shared that the “experience was rich as I gained new insights, new friends, and a greater passion for Disabilities Ministries.” 

Sankey-Battles added, “These presentations provided opportunities to glean invaluable insights into the research, outreach, and deeper awareness of the ministry's significance here in the United States and other countries like France.”

Thoms reflected, “This conference allowed me to network with respected leaders in the field of disability, including Dr. Lemar Hardwick, author and pastor with autism; Dr. Erik Carter, author/researcher and Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University; and Dr. Stephen Grcevich, president and founder of Key Ministry. As Disabilities Ministries coordinator for the North American Division, I thank God for opening the door because networking in the disabilities ministries community will build a stronger, more inclusive, Christ-centered ministry.”

— Dr. Charlotte LV Thoms, coordinator, North American Division, Disabilities Ministries; Dr. Shaun Brooks, coordinator, Georgia-Cumberland Conference, Disabilities Ministries; and Dr. Jennifer Sankey-Battles, director, Southeastern Conference, Health & Disabilities Ministries, collaborated on this article.

The original article was published on the North American Division website.