Professional Documents
Culture Documents
December 11, 2014
December 11, 2014
December 11, 2014
Sara, who has autism; they now employ 25 other young adults with
disabilities. 3) The churchs Youth Pastor and his wife have six children,
two of whom have Down syndrome. Amy apologized to our group on
behalf of churches who have not been sensitive to families and the
needs of their loved ones.
Gigi Sanders is the coordinator of the Special Needs Ministry at
Christ Presbyterian Church. The ministry there began 23 years
ago with a family that had a baby with Down syndrome, and it aims to
provide a welcoming community for families with children and adults
with special needs in the areas of worship, teaching, fellowship and
service. Weekly, Christ Pres provides buddies to assist those with
special needs during childrens church and Sunday classes. (Buddies
are provided with training.) Weekly, the church hosts an Inspirations
Class for adults with special needs. During the school year
(September-May), the church provides respite one Saturday per month
for families at Christ Pres and in the Nashville community for children
with special needs and their siblings. Various seasonal outings are
provided throughout the year for adults with special needs and their
families, allowing for friends from the community to join in the
activities. Annually, Christ Presbyterian hosts a Very Special Bible
School for children with special needs and their siblings, with trained
buddies provided for the children. The church also seeks service
opportunities within the Christ Presbyterian Church community for
those with special needs.
Pam Harmon
Executive Director, Young Life Capernaum Ministries
Email: PHarmonYL@comcast.net
www.younglife.org/ForEveryKid/Capernaum/Pages/CapernaumLearnMor
e.aspx
Amy McArthy
Director, Can Do Ministry, Grace Chapel
Email: AMcArthy@gracechapel.net
www.gracechapel.net/ministries/can-do-ministry-special-needs
Gigi Sanders
Coordinator, Special Needs Ministry, Christ Presbyterian Church
Email: GSanders@christpres.org
www.christpres.org/special-needs
Topher Endress
Leads a ministry for adults with disabilities in the community,
Woodmont Christian
Email: Topher.Endress@gmail.com
CN and JH