What Might It Feel Like?
Studies show that about 1 in 6 children in the United States has a developmental disability. This means many children and their families will need extra support to be able to attend church and grow in their faith. However, finding a church that is ready to support these families is often difficult. Find out what this experience may feel like for families, and what churches can do to help. Because everyone belongs at church.
The Great Commission
When churches and families have access to the right tools children who have disabilities and their families can be supported and discipled in their faith. We think that is pretty important! Which is why we are so passionate about creating resources that meet these needs. Each part of the Adapted Discipleship Library has been prayed over and intentionally designed to help churches and families partner together. We believe that this mission matters because we believe that the Great Commission was meant for everyone.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matt 28:19-20
Who We Are
The Adapted Discipleship Library was made possible through funding through the Lilly Endowment and was created in collaboration between Wonderful Works Ministry and the Church of the Nazarene.
Wonderful Works Ministry
Wonderful Works Ministry is a 501c(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to equip churches to serve families affected by disability. Drawing on their backgrounds in ministry leadership, special education, and graphic arts, they specialize in creating free online disability ministry resources, including all the resources available on this site.
The team at Wonderful Works Ministry believes that the future of disability ministry is bright. They are excited to see where God leads them next. As they continue to step out in faith, they will lean on 1 Chronicles 16:11 - Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Wonderful Works Ministry believes that the heart of their mission belongs to the Lord, and the hands and feet of the mission belongs to everyone. Together we can make a difference.
Our Story
Back in May 2020, Barb Stanley was presented with a problem. She and her friend, Leah Whicker, had been leading a local church special needs ministry for a few years and had begun doing some disability ministry coaching. When the world suddenly shut down and in-person meetings went to something called Zoom, Barb wondered how she would be able to coach effectively without being able to pass out her handouts as examples.
With a denominational district Kidmin meeting on the calendar, Barb wished that she had a five-minute disability ministry training video to show instead. And so, using her background in graphic design and illustration, she sat down at her kitchen table and made a video to explain how students with autism may feel when their sensory systems are overloaded. That first video led to the next and the next, and just like that, Wonderful Works Ministry was born.
Today, Wonderful Works Ministry, is a 501c(3) non-profit organization that has produced over 100 disability ministry training videos, has over 1200 ministry leaders from around the world in their online community, speaks at conferences, offers free online coaching, hosts the Wonderful Works Talks podcast, and is partnering with the Church of the Nazarene on creation of the Adapted Discipleship Library. To learn more please visit wonderfulworksministry.org
Church of the Nazarene
The Church of the Nazarene is a Great Commission church. As a global community of faith, we are commissioned to take the good news of life in Jesus Christ to people everywhere, and to spread the message of scriptural holiness across the lands.
The Church of the Nazarene bonds together individuals who have made Jesus Christ Lord of their lives, sharing in Christian fellowship, and seeking to strengthen each other in faith development through worship, preaching, training, and service to others.
We strive to express the compassion of Jesus Christ to all persons along with our personal commitment to Christlike living. While the primary motive of the church is to glorify God, we also are called to actively participate in His mission- reconciling the world to Himself.
Our Mission
Our mission is to support children who have disabilities as they grow in their faith by providing free adapted discipleship resources to churches and families.