Discipleship Commons

The Nurturing Care Kansas City Cohort finished their final online meeting prior to gathering for the next Maker’s Space September 19-20 at the Marillac Retreat and Spirituality Center in Leavenworth. The session, lead by national coordinator Dr. Dana Preusch, began with a prayer and a scripture reading from Matthew, followed by a light-hearted discussion about favorite summer foods, with ice cream being the most popular answer. Dana then asked what was bringing participants joy, sharing a quote from Mary Oliver’s poem “Don’t Hesitate” about embracing joy even in difficult times.

The conversation then turned to updates around efforts within the ministries. New Community pastor Stephanie Answer celebrated her new opportunity to lead with Speller’s method training and gave thanks for her “spiritual family” which her small group of neurodivergent children and parents who now gather regularly for worship and prayer. Stephanie noted how some of the neurodivergent children are now helping each other even during more informal times of swimming and fun.

New Hope Church leader Tiffany Solum celebrated that their sensory backpacks now have a rack from which to hang in the church foyer. Tiffany is known on the Kansas City District of the Church of the Nazarene as a resource person, providing workshops and creative resources on disability ministry at district events. She has used her relationships to meet with other churches and share what Nurturing Care provides.

Demetria Lawson updated the group of Growth Church’s ministry this summer. The group which meets normally in a worship center during the year (picture of their group celebrating at Easter) moves into the community for service and prayer during the summer. Demetria shared a story how one of their autistic children has decided to “lead” other neurodivergent and regular children both during services but also as an example. Demeteria reports “For the month of June and July Growth Church and Growth kids spent each Sunday learning about how to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Growth kids spent each Sunday learning and teaching new kiddos who joined us at each community location we served at. Growth kids applied what they learned about being the hands and feet of Jesus by teaching praise, worship and prayer.

As we wrapped up the month of June the children began being willing to teach ways of praise, worship and prayer independently. One week, our kiddo with Autism was attempting to lead by example. Another week, once he noticed everyone was seated, he joined along with a few fidgets. Church was set to begin and he seemed to notice that quite a few of our congregants had not taken seats and he led by taking a seat himself and waiting.”

One of the unintended consequences of this ministry occurs as Nurturing Care efforts invite adults into the conversation. Dr. Dean Blevins encountered this phenomenon during his presentations on Neurodiversity this summer. However, Reverend Mike Kern of Hosannah Lutheran Church reported a poignant moment during a ministry sabbatical. Mike reports:

“In July of this year, I spent a week as the pastor in residence at the  Chapel in the Hills in the Black  Hills of South Dakota.  While there, I began writing a retelling of several Bible stories that aim to make them easier for autistic and neurodivergent children to relate to the characters in the Bible who we often mistakenly think of as being “perfect.” 

One evening, after leading an evening prayer service, I noticed a visitor lingering around, visibly upset.  I greeted the woman and we began conversing.  When she heard that I was working on retelling Bible stories in an approachable way for people on the spectrum, she revealed that she had come that evening because of her own struggle with understanding.  Earlier that same evening, she had told her family that she had been diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. However, instead of listening to her self-revelation and her hope for better understanding, they attempted to convince her that there was “nothing wrong with her.”  She felt unheard and ashamed.  Unable to be around her family any longer that evening, she ventured to the Chapel in the Hills seeking peace and prayer.  The worship had already helped calm her anxiety and anger. 

As we talked, I listened as she described her journey.  I affirmed that many people don’t understand the nuances of autism and neurodiversity–that there isn’t something “wrong” with her, but that she simply has different needs than her family.  Although she never read the stories I was writing, simply attending worship, talking about neurodiversity in a religious space, and affirming God’s blessings however our brains are wired helped her find some peace and affirmation.”

Nurturing Care occurs in the most amazing places, from resourcing other churches, to letting children lead, to providing a place of grace for a neurodivergent adult seeking support. The prototypes continue to teach this community how ministry occurs in, with, and through the lives of unique children and caring adults. Next “Kansas City” Maker’s Space already has a dozen churches signed up from Texas, Oklahoma and both sides of the Kansas/Missouri divide. Another Maker’s Space will occur in Nashville at Grace Church of the Nazarene March 6-7, 2026. Join us on this special journey.