The Special Needs/Buddy Ministry strives to serve families and individuals with special needs or disabilities in a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We work with families to develop a plan that will allow an inclusive and accommodating environment within our church.

Our Buddies are an integral role of the Special Needs ministry. Buddies support an individual with special needs so that they can participate to their full potential, grow in Christ, and in fellowship with others through the existing ministries of the church. This position requires an unending supply of love, joy, patience, grace, kindness, consistency, creativity, and flexibility. The more individuals we have that are willing to serve in the role of a buddy, the more children, and families in the Special Needs Community we can serve.

Requirements

  • Adult or teenager
  • Serves at least 2 times a month during the 9:15 or 10:45 service. 2-4 hours a month.
  • Serves at the Church facility
  • Reports to Special Needs/Buddy Coordinator, works with students family, other buddies, and ministry leaders
  • No previous experience necessary (training will be provided on an ongoing basis)

Responsibilities

  • Meet family and process your student for check‐in / check‐out
  • Help student participate to their full potential in all regular ministry activities, especially as they relate to discipleship and fellowship
  • Supplement teaching times with personal discipleship when group participation is not possible or helpful
  • Provide positive behavior management for your assigned student
  • Provide safety at all times and follow all church ministry guidelines at all times
  • Maintain positive relationship with family

The benefits of serving as a buddy reach our community in so many ways. Just a few facts you should know if you are considering volunteering your time as a Buddy:

  • Most families that have children with special needs do not attend church because it can be difficult to take their child out in public. Therefore, they do not get the benefit of being a part of a church community. By volunteering as a Buddy, you are providing that family with the opportunity to be a member of our church family.
  • A high percentage of married couples that have a child with special needs end up getting divorced. This is usually the result of the high level of stress that is associated with raising a child with special needs. By volunteering as a Buddy, the parents of a child with special needs can spend an hour a week worshiping together and growing in Christ.