{"id":10884,"date":"2025-02-21T11:59:49","date_gmt":"2025-02-21T17:59:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/?p=10884"},"modified":"2025-03-03T07:49:42","modified_gmt":"2025-03-03T13:49:42","slug":"welcoming-all","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/2025\/02\/21\/welcoming-all\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcoming All"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pl-10884\"  class=\"panel-layout\" ><div id=\"pg-10884-0\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-10884-0\" ><div id=\"pgc-10884-0-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-10884-0-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Welcoming All: The Power of Inclusion in Children's Ministry<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Everyone\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> journey is different. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">For the Nixon family, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">it's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> a journey marked by <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> unwavering support and acceptance <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">of their church community<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Jamie and Tabitha Nixon have three children, each with <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">their own<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> unique story. However, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">it's<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Selah's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> experience <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">that<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> highlights the profound impact a welcoming <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">children's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> ministry can have on a family.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_10888\" style=\"width: 220px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><a href=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-18-at-2.56.26\u202fPM.png\"><img aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-10888\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-10888\" src=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-18-at-2.56.26\u202fPM.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"210\" height=\"158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-18-at-2.56.26\u202fPM.png 2048w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-18-at-2.56.26\u202fPM-1024x769.png 1024w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-18-at-2.56.26\u202fPM-768x576.png 768w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Screenshot-2025-02-18-at-2.56.26\u202fPM-1536x1153.png 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 210px) 100vw, 210px\" \/><\/a><p id=\"caption-attachment-10888\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Nixon Family<\/p><\/div>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">When Selah was five years old, Jamie and Tabitha <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">found themselves searching<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> for a new church. Their previous church could no longer meet <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Selah's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> exceptional needs. In their small community, finding a <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">children's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> ministry that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">not only accepted but<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> actively ministered to their <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">family<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> proved difficult. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Then<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> they found Glad Tidings Church. The church and its <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">children's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> ministry opened their doors and hearts to Selah.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \"<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Without that acceptance,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\" <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Tabitha explains,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \"<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">our family would not be able to attend church together. Having a place that so genuinely loves our daughter has been a tremendous blessing<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Selah's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> story underscores a critical need within the church: <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the need for<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> inclusive ministries that embrace children of all abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The Need for Inclusive Ministries:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">The statistics paint a clear picture of the challenges faced by families with special needs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">More than 90% of church-going special needs parents cited the most helpful support to be a<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \u201c<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">welcoming attitude toward people with disabilities.<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">(Source: Melinda Jones <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ault's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> doctoral dissertation)<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">However, estimates suggest that 80 to 85 percent of churches lack <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">any level of<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> special needs ministry. (Source: The Gospel Coalition)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">These statistics highlight a significant gap in ministry and a tremendous opportunity for the church to extend its reach and impact. Too many families feel alienated and struggle to find a church home that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">will embrace and minister<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> to their entire family. Many churches, consequently, are ill-prepared to meet the needs of these families, leading them to become unchurched or <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">de-churched<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">IPHC <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kids'<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Ministry: Walking Alongside Families:<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Unfortunately, <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Selah\u2019s<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> journey is not unique in the church world. Parents of children with exceptional needs often experience isolation and a lack of support. They desperately need to know they <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">aren't<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> alone. They <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">need to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> know that their children will be genuinely loved and accepted within the church community. They need a community to walk alongside them, offering encouragement and practical support as they nurture their <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">children's<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> faith, regardless of their abilities.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Churches and their <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">children\u2019s<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">ministries,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> have a unique and vital opportunity to minister to this often-overlooked demographic. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We have the opportunity\u2014and the mandate\u2014to minister to<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> \"<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">the least of these,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\" <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">recognizing that <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">in serving them,<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> we often encounter the greatest among us.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">We invite you to connect with IPHC <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kids\u2019<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Ministries at <a href=\"http:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\">iphc.org\/discipleship<\/a> or contact our Director of IPHC <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kids\u2019<\/span> <span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Ministries<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">. <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">You'll<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> find information and resources about starting an exceptional needs ministry, ministering to families with <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">exceptional<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> needs, and more. \u00a0At IPHC <\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">Kids'<\/span><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> Ministry, we believe that the journey of faith <\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">matters<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">\u2014for\u00a0<\/span><em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\">every<\/span><\/em><span data-preserver-spaces=\"true\"> child.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-10884-1\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-10884-1\" ><div id=\"pgc-10884-1-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell panel-grid-cell-empty\" ><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pg-10884-2\"  class=\"panel-grid panel-has-style ingpb-standard-row\" ><div data-full-row=\"yes\" class=\"panel-row-style panel-row-style-for-10884-2\" ><div id=\"pgc-10884-2-0\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-10884-2-0-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-image panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"1\" ><div class=\"panel-widget-style panel-widget-style-for-10884-2-0-0\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-image so-widget-sow-image-default-113ccd71f3e6-10884\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"sow-image-container\">\n\t\t<img \n\tsrc=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Tiffany-Trainor.jpg\" width=\"1500\" height=\"1500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Tiffany-Trainor.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Tiffany-Trainor-270x270.jpg 270w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Tiffany-Trainor-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Tiffany-Trainor-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Tiffany-Trainor-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2023\/03\/Tiffany-Trainor-375x375.jpg 375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" title=\"Tiffany Trainor\" alt=\"\" \t\tclass=\"so-widget-image\"\/>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div id=\"pgc-10884-2-1\"  class=\"panel-grid-cell\" ><div id=\"panel-10884-2-1-0\" class=\"so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child\" data-index=\"2\" ><div\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tclass=\"so-widget-sow-editor so-widget-sow-editor-base\"\n\t\t\t\n\t\t>\n<div class=\"siteorigin-widget-tinymce textwidget\">\n\t<p class=\"p1\">Tiffany considers herself to be an integrator dedicated to carrying out the vision of the Church.<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>As a 4th generation IPHC minister, she appreciates our history while pushing toward the future.<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>After graduating from Emmanuel College, she felt God calling her into full-time ministry.<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>She has served as the children and youth pastor in the local church. Tiffany currently serves as the Conference Children\u2019s Pastor on the NC Conference DM Council and on the Leadership Council at her local church in Garner, NC.<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\">\u00a0Tiffany loves to travel with her sweetheart, Christopher, and their two beautiful girls, Sadie Grace and Nina Kate.<span class=\"apple-converted-space\">\u00a0 <\/span>Lately, if she\u2019s not taking a trip or hosting an event, she\u2019s planning a trip or event.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"excerpt","protected":false},"author":35,"featured_media":10887,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[20,4,1],"tags":[1545,1404,16,1031,22,112,1465,1457,1513],"class_list":{"0":"post-10884","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-childrens-ministries","8":"category-discipleship-ministries","9":"category-general","10":"tag-1545","11":"tag-article","12":"tag-discipleship","13":"tag-discipleship-ministries","14":"tag-kids-ministries","15":"tag-kid-min","16":"tag-kids","17":"tag-q1","18":"tag-tiffany-trainor","19":"entry"},"title_es":"","content_es":"","author_name":"Tiffany Trainor","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2025\/02\/Welcoming-all.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4T9u2-2Py","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10884","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/35"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10884"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10884\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10887"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10884"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10884"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/discipleship\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10884"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}