Special Needs
Fact: GG averages 70+students on a typical
Sunday morning.
Fact: GG averages 90+students on a typical
Wednesday evening
Study Topics: The “I Am’s” of Jesus; the Life of
Joseph; “As Is,” how God uses us and those in
the Bible just as they are; and Prayer.
The Yost family expresses gratitude for
the Go-Getter class for their daughter Megan.
Having a safe loving environment for her allows
them time to worship as a family while Megan is
spiritually nurtured in Go-Getters.
As we journeyed through the past year,
we found ourselves in continued amazement
of God’s provision and presence in the Special
Needs Ministry. God has brought together an
incredible group of gifted staff and volunteer
leadership that have been able to respond to the
weekly demands of this ministry. Praise God
from whom all blessings flow! As we reflect on
the journey, we are thankful for the support of
the congregation for this ministry.
Transportation
God has provided us with the financial
means to improve our methods of getting those
who do not have rides to church. A small team
of transportation coordinators help weekly in
transporting and arranging rides for folks to
and from church. We use church vans, Hope
Network busses and the Go Bus to get them to
Calvary.
Go-Getters (ADULTS)
Too many people and too little safe space
prompted the Go-Getter move to the chapel on
both Sundays and Wednesdays. There they can
worship freely and know that they are safe in
the event of an emergency. It has also provided
a wheelchair-friendly environment. It is a
wonderful setting to worship and learn more
about God!
Seekers (yOUTH)
The Seeker class has gone through some
positive adjustments that enhance the variety
of learning styles and intellectual abilities
within the class. It remains a safe welcoming
environment where all levels of abilities are
addressed.
Study Topics: The 10 commandments, Joseph,
Bible Characters, and the Psalms
The Cook family has expressed how thankful
they are for a church that provides a safe place
for their son so they can worship together. For
the McClaine family, having Jessica in class
has allowed them to grow in their faith and
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Explorers (CHILDREN, formerly Special
Treasures)
The Explorers class has transitioned into
a more sensory-based learning environment
to specifically meet the needs of each student
ensuring they are being fed spiritually in a way
that they best understand. The class continued
to be a place of growth and understanding in
order to equip specific students to be able to
participate in an inclusive setting, as well as a
nurturing and enabling place for students who
are best suited for a self-contained classroom.
Study Topics: Listen and Obey, Prayer, Easter
Lessons, Christmas Lessons, Fruits of the Spirit
Several new children have joined this group
as others have transitioned into Seekers and
inclusion. The families of Collin and Joash are
Special Needs Staff:
Elleen Fitzgerald, Judi Warner, Jenny Davis,
Pam Cook, Sarah Westveer
excited as their sons are being nurtured and
understood so that inclusion plans (integration
into the wider Calvary community) become a
reality in the future.
Understanding Faith in Jesus
This year, staff created an interactive
booklet designed to make understanding faith
in Jesus more attainable for persons with special
needs. Led by a mentor the students learn about
their faith, baptism, communion, and church
membership. A mentor works through the
booklet with them and assists them with writing
their testimony. Seven people have gone through
the process since it was implemented in April.
More mentors are always needed as we have 19
more people waiting to go through the process!
Hope Network Outreach
Through the past year God has made it
possible for us to do morning chapel services
at Hope Network from every quarter to once
a month. Several Calvary church staff have
participated in speaking and helping with the
service. The love and acceptance when we visit to
do the two 20 minute services is amazing. There
is such genuine love there and eagerness to learn
more about God. This is open to anyone from
the church who would like to volunteer and join
us.
Art Workshop
Last fall God brought us a volunteer who
wanted to share his artistic talents with our
students, thus the art workshop. Over 20 special
needs adults come each Wednesday evening to
have their minds stretched about their faith and
to learn how to express it into pictures, mosaics,
or collages.
Inclusion
Inclusion is happening around the church
with children in a variety of settings, from
Kingdom Kids, to WOW and CSI. In regards
to youth, we are transitioning into inclusion
and striving to find opportunities that fit the
needs of the individual. In the adult segment,
many students attend the regular church service
sitting alone, with friends, staff and as groups.
Calvary Church Annual Report | 15