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 currently also serves at the USA Regional Education Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene. A prolific author, Dr. Blevins recently co-wrote the textbook Discovering Discipleship and edits Didache: Faithful Teaching, a journal for Wesleyan Education.

Churches Build Momentum for Neurodiverse Inclusion Through Nurturing Care Initiative

Posted on May 23, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Church leaders from across several Nazarene congregations in the Southeast and Midwest gathered for a monthly Nurturing Care project check-in, sharing stories of progress, growing support, and the challenges of creating more welcoming spaces for neurodivergent and sensory-seeking children and … Continue reading →

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

One Step at a Time and Sacred Spaces

Posted on May 9, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Articles by Claire McClun, one of our grantees working with neurodivergent children.

Posted in Autism, Children, disability, Family, Homes, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | Leave a comment

Faith Communities Urged to Move Beyond Programs to Foster True Belonging

Posted on April 22, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Faith leaders are being called to rethink how churches welcome individuals with autism and their families, shifting from program-based support to relationship-driven inclusion. In Nurturing Care’s Day of Learning second session, titled “Faithful Partners in Belonging,” Dr. Melody Escobar highlighted … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Research | Tagged #NurturingCare, NTS, Nurturing Care | Leave a comment

Faith Communities Welcoming Disability: Bill Tammeus Reports on Melody Escobar

Posted on April 15, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Former Kansas City Religion Reporter Bill Tammeus attended the Nurturing Care Day of Learning with Melody Escobar. Tammeus, also a columnist and book reviewer with the National Catholic Press and The Presbyterian Outlook, contributes to the KC online magazine Flatland … Continue reading →

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

Churches Urged to Rethink Inclusion for Autistic Individuals, Families

Posted on April 14, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Dr. Melody Escobar, a leading practical theologian, calls on churches across the United States to confront a troubling reality: families of children with disabilities, particularly autism, leaving congregations at alarming rates due to a lack of genuine inclusion. Speaking during … Continue reading →