FIND, a new directory of disability-inclusive ministries and churches launched by Koinonia Inclusion Network

Friends and family of Christabel Yip know she serves in the special needs ministry of her church, Church of Our Saviour. Over the years, some of them have approached her on behalf of people they know with loved ones with special needs. They all want to help these families find a community of faith similar to the one of which Christabel is a part.

“I do direct them to consider joining the ministry I’m part of. But many eventually may not find us suitable because of location, timing, or the profile of our members. That’s not surprising. We all have our preferences and reasons for attending our home churches.

“So I have had to rely on my limited knowledge of just a few other disability ministries to refer others to,” said Christabel.

The search for a faith community to rally around people with special needs and their caregivers is real. In a 2024 Disability Trends Report by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) and the National Council of Social Services (NCSS), it was noted that almost 1 in 10 caregivers (9.2%) were not able to access the religious-based support they desired. 

The Disability Trends Report provides key updates on key trends relating to persons with disabilities and their caregivers. Of those surveyed, 9.2% were not able to access spiritual or religious-based support.

It is for such needs that Koinonia Inclusion Network (KIN) launched a directory that lists disability-inclusive ministries and churches.

Friends of Inclusion Network Directory (FIND) helps people with special needs and caregivers find a welcoming community of faith with which to connect. 

The directory allows users to search based on three filters: Type of disability, denomination and life stage.

“I’m excited for FIND to increase the knowledge of and access to our inclusive Church,” said Christabel.

A testimony to Kingdom unity

Creating a directory like FIND had been on KIN’s agenda since 2019.

“For years, KIN has heard from families about how hard it is to find churches where they feel truly welcomed and included. We’ve also met many Christian professionals who want to help connect families to a church, but don’t know where to refer them. It was all based on word of mouth,” said Jesselyn Ng, Executive Director of KIN.

It was only through KIN’s Community of Practice meetings that its network of ministry partners was strengthened. This allowed churches to increasingly work together in disability inclusion, making creating FIND possible.

Said Rev Leow Wen Pin, Chairman of KIN: “FIND is a testimony to the unity that we have in Christ Jesus as we work together on the common task of Gospel inclusion.”

Added Jesselyn: “The momentum we have witnessed is so encouraging. In just the past three years, nine new disability ministries have been added across churches. But this growth cannot stop here.

“With FIND, we hope to help families, whether they’re caring for a child with special needs or a loved one with dementia, reconnect to a spiritual community where they can grow in faith together.”

A tool to draw unreached special families

There is also hope that FIND will be a tool to reach out to pre-believing families of those with special needs.

“We are confident that FIND will allow more persons with disabilities to find a home in a church,” said Rev Leow.

“We are also hopeful that as believers share FIND with their pre-believing friends, FIND will create more opportunities for people with special needs and their families to come to know Jesus.”

Panel discussion during the launch of FIND on the realities and needs behind caregiving and how it has impacted individual church lives and discipleship journeys. Photo courtesy of Telok Ayer Chinese Methodist Church.

That such support is integral to the families is clear. Said Lynne Tan who has a son diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): “Through the ups and downs of my caregiving journey, my spiritual family at Risen Christian Assembly has been my strong pillar of support.

“I believe FIND will be a helpful resource for PWDs (persons with disabilities) and their families who are looking to find a community of faith which they are comfortable to settle down in.”

RELATED ARTICLES:

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“No one gets left behind”: How a class for one person with special needs became Ohana Ministry

Reflecting our disability-inclusive God: How can the body of Christ love those with special needs?

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