By Jennifer Johnson
“The disability community is often a hidden community,” says Ryan Wolfe, developmental disabilities pastor at First Christian Church (Canton, OH). “In every city, they largely take care of themselves. But you don”t have to read much beyond the parable of the great banquet in Luke 14 to realize this group is close to God”s heart.”
When local parks began charging the Challenger Baseball league to use their fields, First Christian Church in Canton, OH, sought donations and built a field for children with special needs to use, for free, on church property.
Wolfe and his wife began serving the disabled in their area by volunteer coaching in the local Challenger Baseball league.
“We were outsiders,” he says. “We were the only coaches who didn”t have a kid playing, so we got a lot of questions from the parents. It opened the door to some great conversations.”
As his involvement grew, Wolfe began meeting with other community leaders to find new ways to serve. FCC began offering an annual prom for hundreds of developmentally disabled adults. The free event includes a formal dinner, dancing, games, and prizes.
In 2011 the church launched a “day program” and an employment program.
“The day program is like doing VBS 50 weeks a year,” he says. “There were no faith-based day programs in our community, so we received certification by the state of Ohio and now offer the program every weekday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. We launched with four participants; now we have 50.”
First Christian also employs 14 disabled adults who do clerical and administrative work, housekeeping and cleaning, and property maintenance. “We pay them minimum wage,” Wolfe says. “It”s hard for them to find jobs that pay this much, and it”s great for them to get an official paycheck from the church. And they really help!”
The church also partners with local agencies and the court system to find volunteer guardians for disabled adults in the area.
Meanwhile, a few years ago the local parks began charging the Challenger leagues to use the ball fields. Wolfe realized his church campus had room for a field, and began raising funds.
“I began writing every foundation and every pro sports team in our area,” he says. “The first yes was from the Cleveland Indians, who sent us $5,000. In less than a year we”d raised $50,000 and built a field; the next season we were playing on it, and it didn”t cost the church a penny. Almost six months of the year I can look out of my office window and see teams practicing.”
Although Wolfe would encourage every church to explore ministry to people with special needs, he emphasizes the importance of taking the long view.
“It can take several years for this community to trust you and realize there are no strings attached to your help,” he says. “Also, it”s important to move beyond ministering to people with disabilities and minister with them. They are hidden treasures with so much to contribute.”
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