Parenting a child with special needs can significantly limit a parent’s ability to attend church. Many churches simply do not have the resources to offer a ministry that serves these families. Because of your generous partnership through time and other resources, Westside’s Special Needs ministry has become a lifeline for countless parents whose lives are forever changed by the gift of a very special child.

Every Sunday, these parents can count on being able to drop their children off, knowing they will be cared for in a safe environment where they are valued for who God created them to be.

In this week’s blog, we introduce you to Jennifer Schlup, her 9-year-old son Levi, and one of the Westside volunteers who connect with Levi on a regular basis.

“If we are not loving the least of these, then I think we have to stop and evaluate what we are doing as a church,” Eric Boles reflected when asked about his heart for serving in Westside’s Special Needs ministry. “I really appreciate that Westside has made a conscious decision to provide a safe space for these children so the families can receive rest and enjoy a Sunday morning gathering.”

Engaging Eric Boles about his passion for caring for children with special needs doesn’t take much.

“You look at the gospels, and it seems like every other page Jesus is bumping into someone with a disability,” Boles added. “Serving with the special needs ministry seems like the easiest way to show love to these parents and their kids.”

It’s that kind of love that Jennifer Schlup finds herself on the receiving end of every Sunday morning at Westside. A divorced mom of two with no local familial support, Jennifer had nearly convinced herself that God made a mistake when he gave her Levi to care for and nurture.

“Levi needs 24/7 care,” Jennifer said. “Nobody wants to sign up for this.”

9-year-old Levi has global developmental delay and autism and is nonverbal. He also suffers from seizures and self-injurious behavior. It’s a lot. Jennifer’s journey with him has been challenging, to say the least. Faced with all kinds of challenges, physical and mental exhaustion, disappointments, and hardships, Jennifer has had to tap into resources that sometimes caused her to question if she was the right person for Levi. All of it, however, led her to one final conclusion: “I know now that I am meant to raise Levi. There is nobody better. This is the task that God has given me.”

***Eric Boles interacts with Levi in the Sensory Room on a Sunday morning***

Two years ago, Jennifer’s friend Jill invited her to Westside. Jill, who had heard about Westside’s Special Needs ministry, thought it might be an answered prayer for Jennifer, who was struggling to get to church.

“I had been praying God would provide a church that I could go to church and raise both of my boys in church—but Levi really needed that extra support,” Jennifer said.

When she arrived that first Sunday morning, the ministry team welcomed Levi into the room while another volunteer visited with Jennifer, explaining Westside’s program and giving her a brief tour. After double-checking her emergency contact information, Jennifer was free to go into the main gathering with her friend Jill.

“I remember that Sunday, I felt pretty nervous but comfortable. Westside is a lot bigger church than what I was used to, but that morning I also felt like this was God’s answer for me.”

Over the next few weeks, the team worked to pair Levi with a buddy, and Eric began getting to know the energetic child in the Sensory Room.

“The sensory room is cool because it’s specifically designed for kids like Levi,” Eric said. “It has a lot of things he might take interest in – he really loves the trampoline. He’s very active and has just endless energy. I think that’s one of the ways we help. These poor moms often don’t have the energy to keep up. When he’s with us, he’s burning lots of energy, getting friendship, and sensory feedback, too.”

Westside’s Special Needs ministry has enabled Jennifer and her family to regularly attend church, and she is grateful.

“Everyone there is so awesome, and they really love Levi, and Levi loves them.

In addition to Sunday mornings, several times a year, Jennifer also brings Levi to Special Needs Respite Night. For a couple of hours, she can drop Levi off at Westside and use the time any way she would like. Sometimes, Jennifer goes grocery shopping or to a restaurant where she can eat alone. Other times, she admits, she’s so tired that she just goes back out to her car and falls asleep.

The ministry of respite and special needs care would have been enough, but Westside’s Special Needs ministry went a step further when they heard Levi had literally destroyed his bedroom. The walls, windows, and floors all had to be replaced.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Jennifer said. “I was so upset about it because it was a disaster, and I didn’t have the resources to fix it.”

Jennifer was shocked when members of the Special Needs team arrived with a team to do the work to help restore and provide a safe place for her son.

“They showed up and fixed it. I couldn’t be more grateful.” Even now, Jennifer is in awe of how they showed up for her. She has nothing to give in return but gratitude.

“Randy always talks about the greatest catalyst to spiritual growth is bible engagement, but personally, I think second on the list for spiritual growth has to be service,” Eric said. “Loving these kids is really a selfless act. You don’t expect anything back. I think it’s cool when someone is willing to serve someone like that and not expect anything back. It’s really the ultimate way to copy God.”

Eric says serving in the Special Needs ministry may initially seem intimidating, but it’s really easy. “Really, you just show up and start interacting with that kid and reacting to how they are that day and focus on how can you help them have a really fun next hour.”

Do you know a family with a child who has special needs? Consider an invitation to Westside. For more information, visit www.westsidefamily.church/special-needs.