Calvary Church Annual Report AnnualReport2018-web | Page 15

Special Needs Ministry
Judi Warner, Director of Special Needs Ministry
This summer, I’ve enjoyed watching new fronds burst forth from the ferns hanging on my front
porch, reminding me each day, they are alive and growing. This past year has been a similar experi-
ence as I reflect upon what God is doing in the Special Needs ministry and Calvary Church. He is
at work in the lives of His people.
This has been an amazing year of watching God grow and strengthen Calvary Church in so many
ways, but perhaps one of my favorite moments of 2018 was the final night of Go Getters, which we
call, “celebration night”. We began the evening with praise, worship, and prayer, followed by three
individuals sharing their life story to the entire group. We heard one woman tell how prayer im-
pacted her life, another shared how difficult it was to live with a disability and watch her older sister
get married and have children. And finally, David who shared his story of how losing both parents
brought him closer to Christ. These three people continue to grow in their faith and are overflow-
ing with thankfulness for opportunities to serve and be included in the life of Calvary Church.
A few more examples of growth can be seen when: students worship and participate in classes “to-
gether.” When adults with all abilities worship as the gathered assembly each Sunday and connect
with friends on Wednesday evenings. When individuals of all abilities sing in choir, usher and col-
lect the offering. When servant volunteers show up faithfully every week, willing and ready to serve
alongside one another. When new group homes and families come to Calvary because they’ve heard
that we are a welcoming church. We also see the Holy Spirit filling this building because God is
being praised. And we are so thankful for the ways that the leadership of Calvary embraces families
in crisis.
Praise God, Calvary is a living and growing church of which individuals of all ages and abilities are
a part. “Grace and peace to you from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3 We ought always
to thank God for you, brothers an