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Children & Students 
Children Ministries Disability Ministry
Barnabas Disability Ministry
...Supporting and encouraging children, siblings, families, and individuals challenged by disabilities.
Barnabas Disability Ministry Video
Click below to see an exciting video about the Barnabas Ministry!
Sunday mornings
Our main focus is to provide an appropriate and supportive Christian education setting for children and students with special needs so parents can comfortably attend worship. They can be placed in the regular Grace Church Sunday School and The Wave with one-to-one help, as needed, or participate in one of three special classrooms that include a higher ratio of teachers and helpers and a reverse mainstream program. Parents, teachers, and helpers work together to provide the best experience for the child.
There are four unique features to the Sunday morning part of our ministry:
1) Barnabas Friend Ministry
This ministry helps meet the spiritual needs of children with disabilities through the Grace Church Sunday school.
Barnabas Friends facilitate the inclusion of the child with special needs in the regular Grace Church Sunday school. Each one, as needed, is provided a Barnabas Friend who comes alongside to help him make friends, participate in activities, and learn about Jesus.
2) Barnabas Children's Class
The Barnabas Children's class is a special-needs Sunday school class serving children whose needs are not met in the regular Grace Church Sunday school setting. In addition to singing, crafts, and story time, trained Barnabas volunteers adapt Bible lessons and related activities. This is all done in a safe, nurturing atmosphere where each individual is loved and valued as a precious child of God.
3) Barnabas Teen Class
Barnabas Teen class is a unique Sunday school experience for teens with a variety of social and intellectual needs. They enjoy a comfortable setting where they can establish friendships while having fun with games, crafts, music, and other activities centered around God's Word. A small group of teens from the Senior High regularly attend, in a reverse mainstream role, making it especially fun for the kids.
4) Barnabas Adult Class
This class serves adults with intellectual and cognitive disabilities. The participants enjoy friendship and fellowship through singing, Bible teaching, skits and role playing, Bible memory and application. They also have a fun social calendar outside of Sunday mornings.
Sunday Schedule
Children's Class: 9:30 a.m. on the Terrace Level (above Door #1). Follow the signs to the room.
Teen Class: 9:30 a.m. in Room M024
Adult Class: 9:30 a.m. in Room M245
Grace Girls Sunday School (sisters of siblings with special needs meet for Bible study and friendship): 9:30 a.m. in Room M247
Additional Barnabas Activities
Respite By Barnabas
The Grace Church family serves alongside regular Barnabas Volunteers in offering a Friday evening of fun, crafts, movies, and gym time for children with special needs and their siblings while parents enjoy an evening out. To learn when our next respite is scheduled and to make a reservation, contact Karen Anderson at 612-869-8803 or dkmpls@juno.com.
Moms of Kids with Special Needs (Barnabas Moms)
Meet on the second Thursday of each month for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship
September - April, 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
For information, contact Lanae Doiron at ljdoiron@aol.com or 952-226-2102.
Special Mom's Retreat: "Hope in Troubled Times"
Saturday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
In the Grace Dining Room
Shyla Allard, a mom of a son with autism, brings a message of hope and encouragement to moms of kids with special needs as she weaves her personal story with teachings from the book of Romans.
For more info or to register: Contact Sue at 952-470-6181.
Dad's Group
Fathers of kids with special needs meet monthly for informal discussion and fellowship. For further information, contact Chuck Peterson at 952-361-9789 or chukkarn@infinityathome.net.
Opportunities to Serve in the Barnabas Disability Ministry
(Training is provided in all areas of Barnabas Ministry participation)
† Professional Consultants:
Serve as a resource to the Barnabas Disability Ministry
† Grace Sunday School Helpers:
Serve one-to-one with a child or student in their Grace Church Sunday School classroom on a weekly basis.
† Classroom Volunteer:
Serve in the Children's, Teen or Adult classroom on a weekly basis.
† Student Friend:
Students who would like to participate in our reverse mainstream program attend the Children's Class or Teen Class (regularly or once or twice a month) to be a friend to our students and a help to our volunteers.
† Barnabas Prayer Team:
Join our Barnabas Prayer team receiving prayer concerns from staff and Barnabas families.
† Respite Volunteer
Serve as an individual, couple or family on a Friday evening for our church and community respite program. Have a fun evening with children with special needs and their siblings while parents enjoy an evening out.
Barnabas Newsletters:
Jan. 2010 May 2010 Sept. 2010 Jan. 2011 Sept. 2011 Feb. 2010 June 2010 Oct. 2010 Feb. 2011 June 2011 March 2010 July 2010 Nov. 2010 April 2011 Dec. 2011 April 2010 Aug. 2010 Dec. 2010 May 2011
Disability Related Resources
Several disability related books are available in the Special Needs section of the Living Grace Bookstore.
How do I get more information?
On Sunday morning, inquire at the Children's Ministry desk near the Welcome Center at Door #4. We will arrange for you to see our program, receive information about our family activities and respites, and help you with other resources.
During the week, please contact Karen Anderson at 612-869-8803 or dkmpls@juno.com.
To assist us in ministering to your family, please feel free to print and complete the appropriate information sheet below prior to attending Barnabas.
