Inclusion: Loving Our Neighbors with Special Needs
By Mary Tatum
One of my favorite weekends
of the year is Camp Freedom,
a 3-day camp for people with developmental disabilities. During the months leading up to camp, we’re busy preparing: searching for just the right counselor for each camper, planning events that can involve all our campers, learning medical needs and care plans, and more. Our first camp in 2004 was intimate, having 24 people attend. This past July, over 200 people were involved, half of whom had a special need. The other half spent the weekend engaged in making it a memorable time for all who were there.
Each year, I wonder how it could get
any better. And every year, I am overjoyed watching God show up in an even greater way than before. This Summer was no exception. On the first day, I had the pleasure of talking with some parents as they dropped off their sons and daughters. Some looked forward to a trip with their other children. Others anticipated a few days of rest. Meanwhile, others had big plans to knock out chores and errands they don’t otherwise have time for.
For those of us who spent that weekend serving, we agreed it was an experience like no other. Campers who don’t walk were carried to the top of a hill to speed down a Slip ’N Slide, or helped up flights of stairs to splash down a water slide into the lake. Other campers were encouraged to try archery or horseback riding side-by-side with their counselor. In the early hours of the morning, you could always find sleepless campers sitting awake beside a tired counselor. The next morning, they were up and ready to do it all again!
Welcome Them In
On the last day of camp this year, we had the pleasure of witnessing both a camper and a counselor accept Jesus and be obedient in baptism. To an onlooker, it might be hard to tell who was a camper and who was a volunteer. What a beautiful picture of inclusion!
The Bible models for us what inclusion is. In Matthew 19:14, Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
Jesus also teaches us in Luke 14:12-14, “…When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
How are we doing as a church including people with disabilities and special needs as a part of our congregation? It is so much more than a camp, a class, or a program. It’s looking at people as individuals made in the image of God. It’s helping everyone find their place to be part of the body and involved in the church. It’s what God has done for all of us, welcoming us in when we have no way of repaying Him.
Opportunities Everywhere
As we go along in our church life, home life, or community, there are always opportunities where you can reach out to someone who needs to be included. In the Fall, we’re excited for Shine, Southeast’s annual dance event for adults with special needs, and we need hundreds of escorts and volunteers to make this unforgettable night happen.
Beyond Shine, all of our campuses have opportunities for you to include individuals and families who are affected by special needs. Local agencies serving those with special needs would love to have people lead a Bible study or host a craft night. Our Special Olympics teams are thrilled to see you in the stands cheering them on. No matter where you live, you’re only a few decisions away from really, tangibly loving where you are.
Maybe even more important than our service is the impact of the relationships we build. Imagine how a parent or caregiver would feel receiving an encouraging note or call, or a freshly cooked meal on their doorstep. Imagine how a teenage boy with Autism would feel if you showed up to play basketball in his driveway for 30 minutes one afternoon. Imagine how a girl with Down Syndrome would feel if you helped her bake a cake or painted her nails.
Just this past weekend, I walked through church linking arms with a friend who has both a physical and developmental disability. Some people said “Hello,” but kept their distance. Others smiled and waved. But our favorite interactions that day were with people who stopped and talked and welcomed a hug from this amazing young person who couldn’t respond with words. The huge smile said it all.
All Included
When I’m standing for worship at Camp Freedom or standing in the middle of the dance floor during Shine, I imagine this is what Heaven will be like. Everyone with their hands raised, worshiping our Lord. No one leading, no one following. No one deaf, no one blind. No wheelchairs, no sickness. Just people. All welcomed in, all included in the greatest moment of all time.
To connect with our Disabilities Ministry and get involved in our mission of inclusion, CLICK HERE to visit our webpage or call our office at 502.253.8126.