Category Archives: Intergenerational

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 , , , , , | 1 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

All God’s Children: Workshops at the 2025 Preachers Conference

Posted on October 7, 2025 by Dean G. Blevins

Nurturing Care participated in the 2025 Hugh C. Benner Preachers Conference at Nazarene Theological Seminary hosted by NTS Praxis. The event gathered pastors, educators, and advocates around the theme “All God’s Children”—a focus on engaging and supporting neurodiverse and disabled … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Children, Clergy, disability, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, Leadership, NTS Praxis, Nurturing Care, Practical Theology, Preaching Conference | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Preaching on the Spectrum

Posted on October 3, 2025 by Dean G. Blevins

In designing the ministry, part of the Nurturing Care initiative included a commitment by Nazarene Theological Seminary and its professional development team, NTS Praxis, to commit the seminary’s Preacher’s Conference to highlight the need for churches, and particularly lead pastors, … Continue reading →

Posted in Autism, Bible, Children, Clergy, Intergenerational, KC Nurturing Care, NTS Praxis, Nurturing Care, Practical Theology, Preaching Conference | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments