Everyone needs to know Jesus. Yet, we know that for individuals and families living with special needs and disabilities, connecting to full life in Jesus Christ can be a challenge in traditional church settings. Our Special Needs Ministry exists to identify the accommodations and opportunities that may enable all families and individuals to gather to worship, grow and groups and go and serve.
Champions Club
You need to get to know someone to build a strong relationship with them, and that includes Jesus. Champions Club, a small group opportunity ministering to and designed for kids, teens, and adults with special needs and the medically fragile. Champions Club meets the developmental needs of individuals with special needs in four important ways: spiritually, emotionally, physically, and creatively. Our groups gather on Saturdays at 4:45 pm. (By the way, caregivers, Champions Club will meet during our Saturday Contemporary Service, so you’re invited to come worship with us while your child or young adult is in class!)
Teen/Young Adult Night
2nd Friday of each month, 6:30 pm
Growing in groups is core to who we are and that includes our friends with special needs and their families. On the second Friday of each month, teens and young adults with special needs and disabilities gather for an evening of pizza, fun, and friendship.
Caregivers are welcome to drop off the teen or young adult or to stick around. We have a parent room available for those that would like to connect with one with another.
Buddies, Sensory Room & Sensory Bags
Our friends with special needs and their families are encouraged to participate fully in the life of our church. We recognize that sometimes that requires specific accommodations. For example, some individuals attend worship, Next Gen: Kids or Students activities, or other events with a one-on-one buddy. Others find it helpful to grab a sensory bag that’s packed with fidgets and other items to help calm and soothe. If someone just needs to take a break, we also have a dedicated sensory room designed specifically to help calm and soothe when that break is needed.
Call the church office at 732-349-1331 or email [email protected] to connect with Lori Tomenchok, Special Needs Ministry Coordinator. She’ll work with your family to identify specific accommodations we can provide for you or your loved one. (Please note: Advanced notice is required to ensure we can make arrangements for the necessary accommodations.)