Date

4-18-2025

Department

Rawlings School of Divinity

Degree

Doctor of Ministry (DMin)

Chair

Gregory Faulls

Keywords

Special Needs Ministry, Special Needs, Special Needs Families

Disciplines

Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion | Special Education and Teaching

Abstract

The Problem this student seeks to address is that Fusion Church in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, lacks special needs leadership services.

The world views special needs individuals as a burden, but God views them as anointed sons and daughters. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus tells his disciples to let the children come to him and not to hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. This serves as a reminder that he wants every one of his followers to come to him with the hearts of children. Special needs children and adults have hearts filled with love and spirit. Instead of viewing them as a burden, they should be viewed as an example of encouragement with the blessing to learn to love and forgive like them. God places them in lives to fill and surround others with love, and if more people would change their views and perceptions, they would see the hidden gems and blessings they hold near them.

The brochures were chosen as the first project to help build a foundation and awareness for the need of special needs leadership at Fusion Church in Atlantic County. They were developed to bring attention to the benefits of ministering to special needs families.

Brochure 1 was created to make the church aware of the need for a special needs leadership to be formed and to recruit leaders and volunteers to minister and develop a committee.

Brochure 2 was created as an invitation to invite Fusion Church members to join and receive special needs leadership services for their family members. It was created to bring awareness to church members of the program and its benefits. It allowed the members an opportunity to join, participate, and become an active part of the blessings offered by the special needs leadership committee.

Brochure 3 was developed to bring awareness to families outside of the church who have special needs and would like to participate with the hope of bringing new souls to Jesus.

The community event chosen was a community BBQ. The BBQ was created with the intention to bring awareness of the number of special needs families in the community and to allow for collaboration opportunities to create connections and build friendships.

The YouTube channel was created to be a tool to help others, included special needs members, participate in Bible studies using ten tips. It was developed to allow others to have resources that would equip them for allowing special needs families to be included in Bible studies and church activities.

The ministry development plan was chosen to be used as a tool to build resources for developing the special needs ministry ‘s future leadership plans.

Mission: Brighten the world’s view of special needs families through the eyes of JESUS, fearfully and wonderfully made.

Vision: To make a church that special needs families can call home without feeling like a burden to others.

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