BREAKOUT SESSIONS

We cannot be more excited to offer an extensive list of breakout sessions that participants are able to choose from to attend during our 2025 Together Conference: HARVEST.

You will be able to choose one (1) session from each group, which will be hosted and led by one of our excellent speakers. Take your time reading about each session so you can customize your conference experience!

CHECK OUT OUR SPEAKER LINE-UP

BREAKOUT SESSION 1

Inclusion in Children's Ministry

Led by: Jillian Palmiotto

Creating an inclusive environment in preschool and children's ministry doesn’t have to be overwhelming! This breakout session will equip attendees with practical strategies, creative adaptations, and essential insights to help children with special needs fully engage in church programming. Whether you’re part of a small church with limited resources or a large ministry with established programs, you'll gain valuable, actionable tips to foster belonging and meaningful participation. Join us as we explore the “how-tos” and “good-to-knows” that will empower your ministry to welcome and support every child, ensuring they experience God’s love in a way that meets their unique needs.

Starting a Disability Ministry in Any Sized Church

Led by: Stephen "Doc" Hunsley

Has God called you to start a Disability Ministry at your church, but you don't know where to begin? Whether you are a small church or a large one, this workshop will answer the questions of how, what, and why. Learn different classroom environments and types of behaviors, engage and partner with church staff and community organizations, and help your church become an inclusive place for those with special needs. After this workshop, you will realize that YOU can do disability ministry at your church!

Grieving the Diagnosis

Led by: Jeanetta Bryant

As ministry leaders, you play a vital role in supporting families in navigating the emotional impact of a life-changing diagnosis. Parents are often thrown into treatment plans and solutions, leaving little time to process their grief or adjust to a new reality. This session will help you understand the grieving process these families experience, validate their emotions, and equip you to offer compassionate, faith-filled support. By gaining this perspective, you can better walk alongside parents, providing encouragement, hope, and a path forward rooted in faith and resilience.

One in Five - Including Families of Kids with ADHD or Anxiety Disorders at Church

Led by: Dr. Steve Grcevich

One in five children and teens in the U.S. and a majority of kids with autism are diagnosed with ADHD or an anxiety disorder. All of these “hidden disabilities” significantly impact church attendance and engagement. In this breakout, attendees will explore strategies for welcoming, accommodating and including families of kids with the two most commonly identified mental health conditions. Special emphasis will be placed upon outreach strategies, first-time visitor experiences and creating ministry environments that support long-term engagement of kids with ADHD and/or anxiety and their families in the church.

Serving with a Disability

Led by: Kyle Pease

Many people with disabilities are overlooked as active serving members of their church community and are excluded from an important part of the Christian faith of serving their neighbor. Many churches continue to do ministry "for" people with disabilities rather than doing ministry "with" people with disabilities. Kyle is a person with cerebral palsy who is actively serving as a volunteer at his church. Here his story of his church experience and how you can invite others with disabilities to be used by God to display His glory.

Ableism and the Church

Led by: Lamar Hardwick

When it comes to disability, churches are prepared to host and serve families impacted by disability. Yet, there are still some challenges the church faces when it comes to full inclusion in the church and our community. As those whose faith is anchored in treating everyone as created in the very image of God, these disparities do not have to exist in the church. In this workshop, Dr. Lamar Hardwick will share important insights and information about how to serve families impacted by disability by identifying ableism or disability discrimination and the subtle ways it impacts our ability to disciple families and individuals impacted by disability. When we as the church understand the importance of combatting ableism and advocating for disability justice, we can strengthen our witness and influence as we make disciples of Jesus Christ.

BREAKOUT SESSION 2

Inclusion in Youth Ministry

Led by: Jillian Palmiotto, Ken Chatham, & Wes Lutes

Teenagers with special needs want to belong just like their peers, but social and developmental gaps can sometimes create barriers to full inclusion. This breakout session is designed for youth pastors and small group leaders who want to create a welcoming, engaging, and Christ-centered environment for all students. We’ll explore practical strategies for fostering meaningful friendships, adapting discussions and activities, and supporting students with diverse abilities in their faith journey. Whether you’re leading a small group or a full youth ministry, you’ll gain insight into the unique aspects of inclusion in this age group and leave equipped to better serve every teen in your ministry.

Getting Church Leadership on Board

Led by: Steve Chatman

Looking to start a disability ministry at your church or expand the scope of your existing one? Are you trying to figure out how to get your pastor or church leaders on board? In this breakout, Steve, who spent 30 years in church leadership, will show you five keys to creating a successful ministry pitch to your leadership.

Partnering with Outside Organizations

Led by: H. Brian Page, MBA

Brian has navigated ministry as a ministry leader and a special needs parent. Learn about organizations that have been instrumental in helping him get his son to an independent level and how your church can create local partnerships that can serve families well through each season of life.

Curriculum for Adults

Led by: Ryan Wolfe

Teaching adults with disabilities requires a different approach than children's ministry. In this session, we’ll explore how adult curriculum should focus on dignity, discipleship, and real-world faith application rather than simplified, childlike lessons. Learn Ability Ministries is engaging, age-appropriate content that fosters spiritual growth and deeper connections with Christ. Plus, all attendees will receive free curriculum downloads they can use immediately in their ministries.

Ministering to the Deaf Community

Led by: Dr. La-Juan Bradford

It is reported that only 2% of the Deaf Sign Language users have accepted Christ as Savior. A sadder statistic is that only 2% of the Deaf in the World have been reached with the Gospel. Why? So few people know sign language. Come hear ways to connect and Minister to the Deaf and Hard of hearing in your area.

Every Child Belongs: Navigating Trauma and Neurodiversity in Kids’ & Student Ministry

Led by: Kim Botto

Every child deserves to feel safe, seen, and supported in ministry—but many kids come to us feeling hurt, lonely, and misunderstood. This workshop will equip children’s and student ministry leaders with practical tools to create environments of belonging for kids who have experienced trauma or who are neurodivergent. We’ll explore strategies for connection, regulation, and rethinking discipline to better support every child’s unique needs.

BREAKOUT SESSION 3

Beyond Sunday: Weekday Programming for Adults with Disabilities

Led by: Jill Hartsfield & Joanna Blood

Many adults with disabilities struggle to find purpose, connection, and belonging after they age out of their local school system. Monday-Friday, our churches often have space that can be utilized to welcome adults with disabilities to engage with one another, continue to learn and build skills, and be spiritually fed. What a BIG opportunity we have, as the church, to come alongside these families and meet a growing need for quality weekday programs within each of our communities. Maybe you have a thriving disability ministry for adults on Sundays and are looking to take it to the next level, or maybe you’re brainstorming new forms of outreach to reach this population within your community. Let’s dream together about what this could look like for your church and your community!

Faith and the Redeemed Special Needs Father

Led by: John Fela

In this presentation, John speaks on the role of faith in the lives of fathers of special needs children, specifically those who are new to Christianity but also those who have experienced divorce and identified as a single parent or remarried. Using his own experience as a Father who was brought to Christ largely because of his son's disability, he will highlight the ways God uses the struggles and challenges we face, especially as men and fathers, to strengthen and grow our faith, whether married or single. John also shares practical tools for how to apply faith in our daily lives.

Processes for Sunday

Led by: Valeria Lobo

This session will explain the systems and processes of a Sunday morning in a Special Needs Ministry. Participants will consider various environments, how to use them for ministry effectively, intakes for new families, new volunteer processes, and what an effective Sunday looks like to reduce Sunday stress and increase joy for families and volunteer teams.

Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: How to Adapt Curriculum for Learners with Disabilities

Led by: Cortney Jenkins

Everyone deserves to hear and understand the Gospel! In this session, we’ll explore how to adapt your kids' ministry curriculum to meet the unique needs of every learner. You'll gain practical strategies for modifying lessons, incorporating visual and sensory supports, and making the Bible accessible to learners with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Plus, get an inside look at Awe & Wonder’s Adapted Bible Curriculum and discover ready-made resources specifically designed for disability ministry. Walk away with practical tools and fresh ideas to help learners with disabilities grow in their understanding of God’s Word.

Inclusive Communication in Children’s Ministry: Empowering Leaders to Connect with Every Child

Led by: Quintina Briscoe, M.S. CCC-SLP

This workshop is designed to equip ministry leaders with practical tools and techniques for effectively communicating with children with disabilities. The focus will be on teaching verbal and nonverbal communication strategies for making requests and setting boundaries in ways that promote understanding and inclusivity. Leaders will gain the skills needed to create a supportive environment that fosters positive interactions and respects each child’s unique communication abilities.

Continuing the Journey: Embracing Care Beyond Youth Ministry

Led by: Ryan Whitmire & Jazmin Vitale

When teens with disabilities age out of school and pediatric care, they often lose not only essential services but also the community and sense of belonging they’ve built over years. This breakout session will shed light on how these young adults can be left without the support networks provided by school, healthcare, and even youth ministry, leaving both individuals and their families at a critical crossroads. The session will emphasize that the church can be that constant, life-sustaining presence by offering tailored ministry beyond youth—through small groups for adults with disabilities, partnerships with day programs and local organizations, and the launch of host home programs. Attendees will learn practical ways to build continuous, supportive communities that bridge this transition and ensure no one is left behind.

BREAKOUT SESSION 4

Managing Difficult Behavior

Led by: Kent Wright & Steven Culver

This course will provide practical examples of how to effectively de-escalate individuals who might display challenging behaviors during your services, sessions, or classes. Let's dig deeper to identify why these behaviors might be occurring so that we can ensure all individuals have the opportunity to participate in what we offer!

Using Multi-Sensory Strategies to Teach the Gospel

Led by: Beth Golik

This hands-on session will equip you with low-cost and no-cost ideas to engage a variety of learners in your children’s ministry, including those who learn best through hearing, or seeing, or doing.

The Power of Making the Invisible Family Visible

Led by: Kari Baker

Kari will share the powerful story of her son Brady’s autism diagnosis and how she found faith and purpose in God's plan after years of grief and struggle. This session will educate and equip you to welcome those with invisible disabilities and will prove that a KIND approach, even without a formal special needs ministry, can result in blessings that extend far beyond one family.

Gender Identity/Dysphoria and the Autism Spectrum/Special Needs: How Churches Can Help Identity Formation and Belonging

Led by: Rev. Dr. Stephanie C. Holmes

Have you noticed the recent rise in cases of gender dysphoria and gender identity issues, especially among adolescents and young adults? One emerging trend is the higher prevalence of gender identity struggles among individuals with special needs, disabilities, or neurodivergence, including those with ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This trend is becoming more apparent globally, yet it remains largely unaddressed in North America. Can gender identity or transitioning become a particular focus for teens with ADHD or ASD? This presentation will explore the connection between neurodivergence and struggles with gender identity, offering insights into how church communities and youth groups can support both parents and individuals facing these challenges. How can your church create a welcoming space that addresses the unique needs of these individuals while providing guidance and care through a biblical and compassionate lens?

Ministering to Special Needs Parents

Led by: Elizabeth Newman

This breakout session will focus on the challenges of parenting a child with special needs. Elizabeth's testimony of her journey with God will help church leaders better understand the ups and downs of life with a child with special needs. You will hear insight into how faith can promote emotional healing throughout the various seasons that are faced by special needs parents. You will learn how to minister to parents by increasing their faith while understanding their extraordinary circumstances.

Strengthening & Supporting the Marriages of High-Impact Caregivers

Led by: Rachael Chisholm

Learn the negative cycle that threatens marriages and how that cycle is intensified by having one or more children with a disability. This session will give you tools for combatting the beliefs and behaviors that lead to this negative marriage cycle, as well as strategies for helping your spouse feel loved, valued, secure, respected, and connected. Finally, receive practical tips on how the church can support and aid the marriages within their church body.