A conference focusing on the largest unreached people group in America is set for March 9-11 at the Virginia Baptist Resource Center in Richmond.
“A Future and a Hope” is aimed at anyone interested in persons with developmental disabilities, including those working with adults with developmental disabilities, for families of an adult with developmental disabilities and for anyone who is interested in beginning a ministry.
About 36 million people in this country have some form of disability, said Wayne Coley, assistant director for partnerships for the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services.
“It is estimated that 95 percent of the disabled population is outside the church,” said Coley. “That makes it the largest unreached people group in America. Many of our churches have special ministries to reach persons with particular forms of disability. Special education resources are available, particularly for persons with developmental disabilities.
The Southern Baptist Convention’s North American Mission Board recently appointed David Z. Glover to serve as national consultant for disabilities ministries. His major responsibility will be to promote and equip evangelistic disabilities ministries through the Southern Baptist Convention.
Glover serves on the steering committee of the Fellowship of Developmental Disabilities Ministries. FDDM provides a Christ-centered evangelical network for advocacy, education, ministry and fellowship involving persons touched by developmental disabilities.
For many churches, the Fellowship of Developmental Disabilities offers a chance to explore the vast mission field of those with special needs.
Glover will be one of the keynote speakers at the March conference, along with Stephen Richerson, president and executive director of the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services.
Other members of the steering committee planning this conference represent Georgia Baptist DDM, the Florida Agency for Persons with Disabilities, the Baptist State Convention of Alabama, the North Carolina Baptist Children’s Home DDM, the North American Mission Board, Tennessee Baptist DDM, Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped and the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services DDM.
The workshop topics include staffing for a group home, starting/ enhancing a ministry in the church, staff supervision, financial planning strategies, dynamics of transitions, respite care, inclusion and funding and utilizing resources for families.
Registration begins on Friday, March 10 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and the conference concludes with a closing session at 12 noon on Saturday.
There is a registration fee of $50 due by Jan. 31 and $75 after that. The fee includes all breaks and three meals. There will be a pre-conference workshop on Thursday, March 9, from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. on grant writing. If you register for the full conference, this workshop is included. There is a $45 fee for this workshop only.
For those who need overnight lodging, a block of rooms has been reserved at the Quality Inn West Broad Street, which may be reached at (804) 346-0000. The rate is $59 plus tax per night.
You can register on the Virginia Baptist Children’s Home web site at www.vbchfs.org or contact Theresa Carneal at (804) 545-1200 or 1-800-255-2428 for more information.
Special to the Herald