MOUNT LEBANON, Texas (ABP) — Larry William's fourth birthday celebration was short-lived.
He couldn't walk or talk like other kids. Soon, tests revealed a mental retardation that would lead Larry to a vegetative state by the time he turned 21. Doctors advised his mother to institutionalize him. Ann Williams vowed that would never happen.
Fifty-five years later, Larry studies the Bible, converses with friends, plays the piano and square dances. His mother calls him her “super blessing” from God.
But finding spiritual peace and emotional support for Larry — essential factors in his ability to function — has not always been easy for his parents. Ann and Gene Williams, both now in their 80s, live with their son because of his learning disabilities. And Larry has a special education teacher to help him through the day.
The Williams aren't alone, though. Seventeen years ago, they started a special-needs ministry at their church, First Baptist Church of Tyler, Texas.
Now, special-needs ministries are cropping up in Baptist churches around the country. Churches like Spring Hill Baptist Church in Ruckersville, Va.; Bethel Baptist Church in Sellersville, Pa.; Memorial Baptist Church in Birmingham, Ala., and Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Madison, Miss., all have programs geared toward supporting adults with special needs. And the trend, along with ideas for support and ministry to special-ministry families, is growing.
In Mount Lebanon, Texas, 465 parents, special-needs children and Sunday school teachers converged at the Mount Lebanon Baptist encampment recently to talk about how to do ministry. James Aldridge helped start the Special Friends camp 20 years ago. It now holds regional meetings to accommodate the growing ministry.
“We're making progress,” he said. “Education is the key. Awareness is the key. We hope that programs like ours are helping Sunday school teachers and churches to better understand and care for the special-needs child and adult.”
Some churches, he said, have a “stand back” attitude that must be overcome. Instead of ignoring the needs of adults or children with mental or physical handicaps, church leaders should incorporate them in ways that help the church family.
“You have a social butterfly like 16-year-old Melissa, who has been mainstreamed with the youth, but the church class is not sure how to deal with this,” Aldridge said. “It is up to us to educate the church.”
Other development experts have developed Sunday school materials to educate churches on members and families in their midst with special needs. Donna McCrary, a professor of special education at Dallas Baptist University, has developed a special-needs retreat curriculum that focuses on mentally challenged adults, their parents and Sunday school teachers.
“Families often feel isolated. They still have a dependent person to take care of. They get frustrated,” McCrary said. “This gives them an opportunity to share concerns and to get help through transitional problems.”
And for Larry and his parents, that help made all the difference.
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