Category Archives: Intergenerational

Resting on the Shoulders of Care One Child at a Time

Posted on March 4, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

This past weekend Nurturing Care Director, Dr. Dean G. Blevins, was given an opportunity to address a room filled with dedicated leaders, pastors and local lay workers, committed to discipleship. Dr. Blevins also offered his workshop presentation, Worship on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Clergy, disability, Discipleship, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

West Coast Initiative A Mosaic of Learning and Trust

Posted on February 17, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

On the West Coast wing of the Nurturing Care initiative, the stories coming in from congregations don’t read like a single program rollout. They read like a movement learning, week by week, what it takes to make worship and prayer … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Discipleship, Intergenerational, Nurturing Care, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Nurturing Care Autism Updates and New Event April 13

Posted on February 9, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

A growing network of midwest congregations are redesigning children’s ministry and worship spaces to better welcome children with autism, ADHD and other sensory needs. A recent meeting, coupled with several written updates, revealed churches pairing practical tools like flexible seating … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Leadership, Nurturing Care | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Bend Nazarene Church releasing English, Spanish, bilingual kids’ worship albums

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

A news story from the Central Oregon Daily News on one of our Nurturing Care Prototypes at Bend Church of the Nazarene where leaders build trust through multilingual worship. Reporter Jakob Salao writes: BEND, Ore. — Church services can be … Continue reading →

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

Children lead as ‘Maker’s Space’ prototypes spread from Arizona district gatherings to California outreach

Posted on January 30, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Nurturing Care is pleased to report new Gratitude and Trust Makers Space prototypes giving children across Nazarene congregations room to lead—reciting scripture, praying publicly, and serving their communities alongside adult volunteers—according to recent ministry reports from the Southwest Native American … Continue reading →

Posted in Children, Family, Intergenerational, Leadership, Moral Integration, Nurturing Care, Virtue, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Nurturing Care 2025 Retrospective

Posted on January 1, 2026 by Dean G. Blevins

Each year Nurturing Care submits a report to the Lilly Endowment, Inc. documenting the initiative’s efforts, impact, and most importantly, what our leadership learns through the many prototypes and ministry efforts by our partners. As the initiative gained momentum this … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, West Coast | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Changing the “Voice” of Worship

Posted on December 4, 2025 by Dean G. Blevins

An incredible story involving Kian Answer who is a member of New Community church, a Nurturing Care partner working with minimally-speaking and non-speaking autistic kids. A reminder that the “voice” of neurodivergent children can change the nature of worship… when … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Nurturing Care, Pedagogy | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment