Author Archives: Dean G. Blevins

About Dean G. Blevins

Dr. Dean G. Blevins currently serves as Professor of Practical Theology and Christian Discipleship at Nazarene Theological Seminary as well as Director of Nurturing Care with Children through Worship and Prayer. An ordained elder, Dean has ministered in diverse settings and served as the USA Regional Education Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene. A prolific author, Dr. Blevins co-wrote Discovering Discipleship and authored The Disciples: A BIble Study. Dr. Blevins also served 25 years as editor of the online academic journal Didache: Faithful Teaching.

Church Teams Build New Paths to Belonging at Kansas City Maker’s Space

Posted on September 18, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Eleven church teams proposed practical ways to help autistic and neurodivergent children worship pray and lead within the life of the whole congregation A quiet corner, a volunteer’s bag of sensory tools and a place in the center of worship … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, Design, disability, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Practical Theology | Leave a comment

Making Room for Every Child

Posted on August 31, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Nashville Based Nurturing Care ministries turn prayer, sensory support and practical hospitality into signs of belonging Across the participating congregations, the summer’s Nurturing Care efforts shared a common conviction: children are not simply recipients of ministry but members of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, disability, Intergenerational, Nashville Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Practical Theology | Tagged #NurturingCare, Autism, Children, disability, ministry, Nurturing Care | 1 Comment

Ministry on the Spectrum: Why Disability Ministry May Be the Church’s Greatest Untapped Mission Field

Posted on July 13, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

More than 46 million Americans live with some form of disability outside institutional care, yet many remain disconnected from congregational life. Combined with the growing prevalence of autism—now affecting approximately one in every 30 children by age eight—the numbers point … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Continuing Education, disability, Intergenerational, Nashville Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Virtue | Tagged #NurturingCare, Autism, Children, disability, ministry, Moral Integration, NTS, Nurturing Care | Leave a comment

Nurturing Care Churches Are Learning to Turn Welcome into Practice

Posted on June 26, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Across the Nurturing Care Midwest network, churches are discovering that inclusion is not a single program but a steady reshaping of congregational life. From sensory bags and fidget tools to respite dreams, volunteer training, accessible spaces, and new language for … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, disability, Family, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Leadership, Nurturing Care, Practical Theology | Tagged #NurturingCare, Autism, Children, disability, ministry, NTS, Nurturing Care | Leave a comment

Nurturing Care Presentations at TNU PALCON

Posted on June 13, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, Design, disability, KC Nurturing Care, Nashville Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | Tagged #NurturingCare, Autism, Children, disability, ministry, Nashville, NTS, Nurturing Care | Leave a comment

Creating Space through God’s Place

Posted on June 7, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Patti Rivas shared a story with Nurturing Care about Sandia Valley Nazarene Church and their ability to create space through their God’s place, their prototype in Albuquerque. Rivas reports: “Our children became missionaries to a group of teens visiting us for … Continue reading →