How Churches Can Reflect Every Family: Disability Inclusion with Sandra Peoples [Ep 548]

When life doesn’t go as planned, it can be hard to see where God is working. In this powerful conversation, Sandra Peoples, author, special needs mom, and ministry leader, opens up about her journey from growing up with a sister with Down syndrome to parenting a son with autism.


Sandra shares how her family’s story revealed a gap in the church for families impacted by disability, and how God called her to help fill it. From starting a special needs ministry to creating sensory rooms and buddy systems, Sandra offers practical and spiritual wisdom for pastors, volunteers, and parents alike. Here is some of what we cover:

• Disability families are often unreached — the church has an incredible opportunity to serve and love them.
• Support for the whole family — offer counseling, respite nights, and peer connection for parents and siblings.
• The church should be a whole picture of the body of Christ including those with disabilities who often enter into worship in the most beautiful ways.
• What questions to ask your friends who are hesitant to come to church with their special needs child.
• Hope for the mom that feels unseen or hopeless. Psalm 126:5- Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!

Connect with Sandra Peoples

• Website: Sandra Peoples: Equipping Churches and Encouraging Families
• Instagram: Sandra Peoples (@sandrapeoples)
• Facebook: Sandra Peoples

Links Mentioned:

• Accessible Church: By Sandra Peoples
• Held: Learning to Live in God's Grip: By Sandra Peoples
• Unexpected Blessings: By Sandra Peoples
• 99 Balloons

Related Episodes:

• Adopting Special Needs :: Alice and Candace [Ep 213]
• Mothering Autism: Navigating Grief, Marriage, and Community :: Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood [Ep 515]
• Parenting Neurodivergent Children–Summer Edition :: Carrie Cassell [Ep 413]

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