"So often in churches, disabilities are hidden, just like in culture at large. And to see the joy – and even the competence – of these people as they were leading in worship, was quite a delight and a joy to the church at large.” Jeremy Marshall is the family discipleship minister at Brooks Avenue Church of Christ in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Lori Young is the volunteer coordinator for the church’s special needs ministry, which is offered weekly. “There is just such a significant need out there,” emphasizing that families need a place “where their loved ones are cared for…and being taught.” This loving ministry also allows parents to “sit in peace for a while and be fed by the Word of God and also be fed by relationships” at the church. It’s win-win.
Both Lori and Jeremy have no doubt the special needs kids and adults are capable of comprehending, to some degree, the concept of faith in Jesus.
Lori tells us about a 14-year-old boy (pictured below) who uses a computer device to speak. She smiles, he’s “full of sarcasm and sass” and “answers questions from his heart, not a rote answer.” He types “I pray every night. I want to make sure God loves me.” The young man missed church for a while due to sickness, and sent his teachers a picture and wrote, “I miss all of you.” And he was talking about the worship, which he holds dear.
Jeremy shares with us about the “beautiful story in the Gospel of Luke” where Mary, who is pregnant with Jesus, visits Elizabeth, who is pregnant with John the Baptist. And Elizabeth can “feel the baby in her womb jumping for joy at Christ coming near.” Jeremy believes, “If the Holy Spirit can create faith in a fetus, then I don’t worry about our friends and family members with special needs” missing out on being touched by faith.
Taking no chances with health or safety, the church employs four licensed professionals who provide needed care and also help with lessons. They are certified in first aid and ways to interact with people with special needs.
There are also volunteers who assist with the special needs “Eagles” (adults) and “Eaglets” (children) – the name referring to Isaiah 40:31, which invokes trust in the Lord and soaring high “with wings like eagles.”
Brooks Avenue Church of Christ recently held a carnival for disabled people regardless of age or physical limitations. Hundreds attended - and all were invited to the special needs Sunday service the next day.
We’d like to thank to the Christian Chronicle and reporter Audrey Jackson for making some of the images available to us, and providing the lead for this encouraging story.
Jeremy shares, “You’re actually seeing the Lord at work. You’re realizing you’re in the presence of the Lord at work and it draws you deeper into him.” Be encouraged by our complete podcast interview:
