Disability & the Church Conference, hosted by Key Ministry, is a transformative event designed to empower ministry leaders to build gospel-centered communities that embrace individuals and families impacted by disability. This year’s conference will feature inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, and valuable networking opportunities to equip and encourage you as you return to your churches and ministries.
Dive into the heart of ministry challenges and solutions with breakout sessions tailored to the unique needs of church leaders and teams. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned leader, these sessions cover everything from practical strategies to culturally relevant insights. You’ll find a mix of fresh, new content alongside popular favorites that are back by demand.
Ashley Belknap, Executive Director, will teach one workshop and one Quick Take session. Cheryl Erb, Ministry Operations Coordinator, will be staffing our exhibit booth which will contain all of our latest adapted discipleship products from Simply the Gospel.
Discipleship Strategies for Youth Impacted By Disability
75 minute seminar
Taught by: Ashley Belknap
With every student impacted by disability, we want to ask the question, “is this young person growing in their knowledge of who God is and what He has done?” If you have students who are present in your ministry but perhaps you are unsure of whether they are growing spiritually, this seminar is for you.
This seminar is designed for all youth and young adult ministry leaders, volunteers, and teachers who have the opportunity to teach the Bible to students ages 12 – 24. We will focus on strategies for Bible teaching that go a step beyond sitting and listening around a table, in a lecture-style Sunday school, or large group.
Participants will learn ways to develop appropriate long-term and short-term goals when teaching students the Bible. You will learn ways to discern the needs of your students individually (for 1:1 meetings and small group Bible studies) and collectively (for large groups). We will discuss ways to adjust your teaching for the present needs in the classroom and creative ways to increase support for students with greater needs without changing your entire strategy. The goal is for every participant to walk away with a renewed desire to teach all of God’s Word to your students impacted by disability.
Quick Take: Equipping Families to Teach the Bible at Home
Taught by: Ashley Belknap
There is no one more intimately acquainted with the unique needs and abilities of a child than mom and dad. Studies show that the greatest impact on a young person’s faith and love for the Lord hinges on their continued exposure to Bible teaching at home. Kids, teens, and adults impacted by disability are often dependent on their caregivers to access the Bible for devotions and spiritual growth. And sometimes, families are not sure how to navigate challenges surrounding teaching the Bible in appropriate ways, supporting challenging behaviors, and persevering over many years.
In this seminar, we will discuss strategies that benefit the entire family as they study God’s Word together. We explore small steps to create family devotions (or teaching times on the go!) that are anticipated and sustainable, rather than dreaded and dropped. We will also explore teaching strategies that benefit everyone, including typically-developing siblings. Finally, we will touch on ways to create access to the Bible that are not dependent on caregivers or the ability to read independently.
Conference Schedule:
Tuesday, April 29
9:00am – 12:30pm: Pre-Conference Ministry Intensives*
12:30 – 2:00pm: Check-in, Regional meetups, Exhibit Hall
2:00 – 3:15pm: All Conference Gathering #1
3:30 – 4:45pm: Breakout Block #l – Workshops & Quick Takes
5:00 – 6:15pm: Breakout Block #2 – Workshops and Quick Takes
Wednesday, April 30
9:00 – 10:15am: All Conference Gathering #2
10:30 – 11:15am: Breakout Block #3 – Workshops & Quick Takes
11:30am – 12:15pm: Breakout Block #4 – Workshops & Quick Takes
12:15 – 1:45pm: Lunch (boxed lunch included & optional programming available)
2:00 – 3:15pm: Breakout Block #5 – Workshops & Quick Takes
3:30 – 5:00pm: All Conference Gathering #3
5:15: Optional Networking Hour
Thursday, May 1
8:45 – 10:00am: Breakout Block #6 – Workshops & Quick Takes
10:15 – 11:00am: Breakout Block #7 – Workshops & Quick Takes
11:15am – 12:00pm: All Conference Gathering #4
12:00pm: Conference ends
12:00 – 12:15pm: pick up optional boxed lunch to go*
