DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
You Are Welcome Here!
At The Reborn Church we are committed to welcoming individuals who have developmental disabilities. In our first logo (below) we had the autism puzzle pieces in our cross to pay homage to autism awareness. Although we have a new logo, we are still paying homage to autism awareness by primary using the Autism blue as the identifying color of the church.
One of the primary visions that Pastor Gabe had when he planted this church, was to have a church where people with special needs, or families with special needs, can worship God without the fear of embarrassment. Many people who have a family member with developmental disabilities are hesitant to attend a church because of the possibility of their child or family member becoming a distraction during the service. Pastor Gabe has over 20 years of relating to your experience. One of Pastor Gabe’s sons by the name of Jeremy, has autism. He understands what it is like to have a son that makes noises in service. However, he also understands the great joy and gift that God has blessed him with in his autistic son. God has used Pastor Gabe’s unique vantage point to show that families with disabled children and families members have too much to teach the church about the gospel to remain in the shadows, even if motivated by noble sentiment. He is convinced that parents and their disabled children should not look to be silently hidden in the church. Instead, they should dive right into the heart of the worship gathering because they are gifts to the body who can uniquely shine a spotlight on the gospel.
Jeremy Manjarrez.
Pastor Gabe’s son. He enjoys watching Super Mario, Pixar, and Dreamworks movies. He loves listening to music. He also occasionally enjoys greeting people at the door at church.
Invitation to Families
Please know that your child or family member adds to the worship service. Children with disabilities add to it by reminding us that God’s gospel of grace is no respecter of persons, and neither should we be (Acts 10:34–35; James 2:1). Raised hands from an Autistic child or adult can glorify God just as anyone else’s.
Please know that your child or family member is a necessary part of our local body. They are uniquely designed by God to bring countless blessings to our congregation. God is using them even if you don’t see it (1 Corinthians 12:18–25).
Please know that your child or family member is a means of moving our hearts toward deeper compassion. Please don’t worry about them being a distraction during church (Romans 15:1–2; Galatians 5:22). The child or family member in wheel chair in the isle, or the child making noises isn’t an inconvenience, but a pointer to the grace of Christ.
Please believe that it’s okay not to pretend that everything is okay. Caring for those with disabilities can be exhausting and deeply stressful. Cry out to our Jesus in the midst of the congregation to help point us all to the reality that Christ still welcomes the faint and heavy laden (Psalm 61:1–2; Matthew 11:28–30).
Please trust that we are willing to help. Our church members want to serve you. If you need help with anything reach out for help(1 Thessalonians 5:14; Ephesians 4:16). Your humility will be a bridge to deeper service and will develop lasting relationships.