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.

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 , , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , | 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 , , , , , , , | 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 →

Posted in Children, Clergy, Intergenerational, Leadership, Moral Integration, Nurturing Care, Spiritual Formation, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nurturing Care Presentation at ONU

Posted on June 4, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins
Posted in Autism, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nashville Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

West Coast Maker’s Space 2026: Churches Reimagining Compassion Through Children

Posted on June 2, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Ministry Leaders from across the western United States gathered this spring for the 2026 West Coast Maker’s Space Retreat, a collaborative initiative by Nurturing Care that brings churches together to develop innovative ministry prototypes centered on children, worship, spiritual formation, … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Clergy, Intergenerational, Moral Integration, Native American, Nurturing Care, Uncategorized, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Community of Grace

Posted on May 30, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins
Posted in Children, Clergy, Nurturing Care, Virtue, West Coast | Leave a comment