Special Needs Ministry with Russ Ewell

Did you know that only about 29% of churches offer classes or events for people with special needs? 

Creating inclusive programs in the church and community is one of our passions. 

And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good …

Acts 10:38 NLT

We follow in the footsteps of Jesus by doing good for people regardless of whether or not they choose to be part of our church. As our executive minister, Russ Ewell, explains on a guest visit to the Youth Worker on Fire podcast, our innovative inclusive programs like Spiritual Resource Ministry, E-Sports, and E-Life have been transformative for everyone involved. 

This podcast gives youth workers the knowledge and inspiration they need to be successful. We have seen that inclusion invigorates teen ministries; when middle schoolers and teenagers in our church have gotten involved in inclusive programs, they have developed empathy, compassion, and a sense of meaning and purpose. They get a taste of the “rich and satisfying life” that Jesus promised to give (John 10:10).

Meeting people where their pain is 

Departing from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee, and after going up on the mountain, He was sitting there. [30] And large crowds came to Him bringing with them those who were limping, had impaired limbs, were blind, or were unable to speak, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them.

Matthew 15:29-30 NASB

As we see in this passage and many others, Jesus met people where their pain was. He did good for people regardless of whether or not they would choose to follow him. 

That’s why we do good for people without any expectation that they will become members of the church. As this episode describes, our community programs like E-Sports and E-Life are ways we simply try to “meet people where their pain is.” 

Changing people’s view of God

No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.

1 John 4:12 NLT

In addition to changing the lives of countless children and families with special needs, our inclusive programs have had the added effect of changing people’s view of God. 

Though this is not the reason we host these programs, we have seen people’s view of Christianity change because of the love they see at E-Sports and E-Life. 

As we listen to this episode, let’s ask ourselves what simple ways we can do good for someone in our lives today. How can we change someone’s life by “meeting them where their pain is”?

Listen to the full episode on Spotify.