How Churches Can Reflect Every Family: Disability Inclusion with Sandra Peoples [Ep 548]
NOV 10, 202553 MIN
How Churches Can Reflect Every Family: Disability Inclusion with Sandra Peoples [Ep 548]
NOV 10, 202553 MIN
Description
<div>When life doesn’t go as planned, it can be hard to see where God is working. In this powerful conversation, <strong>Sandra Peoples</strong>, 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.<br>
<br>
<br>
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: <br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Disability families are often unreached</strong> — the church has an incredible opportunity to serve and love them.</li>
<li>
<strong>Support for the whole family</strong> — offer counseling, respite nights, and peer connection for parents and siblings.</li>
<li>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. </li>
<li>What questions to ask your friends who are hesitant to come to church with their special needs child. </li>
<li>Hope for the mom that feels unseen or hopeless.<strong><em> Psalm 126:5- Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!</em></strong>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Connect with Sandra Peoples<br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Website: <a href="https://sandrapeoples.com/">Sandra Peoples: Equipping Churches and Encouraging Families</a>
</li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sandrapeoples/">Sandra Peoples (@sandrapeoples)</a>
</li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sandra.peoples.author">Sandra Peoples</a>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Links Mentioned: <br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3LQRzri">Accessible Church: By Sandra Peoples</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/4p2pZ94">Held: Learning to Live in God's Grip: By Sandra Peoples</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/49anfSn">Unexpected Blessings: By Sandra Peoples</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.99balloons.org/">99 Balloons</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Related Episodes:<br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://heathermacfadyen.com/2018/08/20/adopting-special-needs-alice-candace-ep-213/">Adopting Special Needs :: Alice and Candace [Ep 213]</a></li>
<li><a href="https://heathermacfadyen.com/2025/03/24/mothering-autism-navigating-grief-marriage-and-community-carrie-cariello-kate-swenson-and-adrian-wood-ep-515/">Mothering Autism: Navigating Grief, Marriage, and Community :: Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood [Ep 515]</a></li>
<li><a href="https://heathermacfadyen.com/2023/06/12/parenting-neurodivergent-children-summer-edition-carrie-cassell-ep-413/">Parenting Neurodivergent Children–Summer Edition :: Carrie Cassell [Ep 413]</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Featured Sponsors: <br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Thrive Causemetics:</strong> Complete your fall look. Go to <a href="http://thrivecausemetics.com/DMA">thrivecausemetics.com/DMA</a> for an exclusive 20% off your first order. </li>
<li>
<strong>StoryWorth Memoirs:</strong> Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years–Storyworth Memoirs! Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to <a href="http://storyworth.com/dma">storyworth.com/dma</a> !</li>
</ul>
![<description><div>When life doesn’t go as planned, it can be hard to see where God is working. In this powerful conversation, <strong>Sandra Peoples</strong>, 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.<br>
<br>
<br>
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: <br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Disability families are often unreached</strong> — the church has an incredible opportunity to serve and love them.</li>
<li>
<strong>Support for the whole family</strong> — offer counseling, respite nights, and peer connection for parents and siblings.</li>
<li>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. </li>
<li>What questions to ask your friends who are hesitant to come to church with their special needs child. </li>
<li>Hope for the mom that feels unseen or hopeless.<strong><em> Psalm 126:5- Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!</em></strong>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Connect with Sandra Peoples<br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Website: <a href="https://sandrapeoples.com/">Sandra Peoples: Equipping Churches and Encouraging Families</a>
</li>
<li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/sandrapeoples/">Sandra Peoples (@sandrapeoples)</a>
</li>
<li>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sandra.peoples.author">Sandra Peoples</a>
</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Links Mentioned: <br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/3LQRzri">Accessible Church: By Sandra Peoples</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/4p2pZ94">Held: Learning to Live in God's Grip: By Sandra Peoples</a></li>
<li><a href="https://amzn.to/49anfSn">Unexpected Blessings: By Sandra Peoples</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.99balloons.org/">99 Balloons</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Related Episodes:<br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://heathermacfadyen.com/2018/08/20/adopting-special-needs-alice-candace-ep-213/">Adopting Special Needs :: Alice and Candace [Ep 213]</a></li>
<li><a href="https://heathermacfadyen.com/2025/03/24/mothering-autism-navigating-grief-marriage-and-community-carrie-cariello-kate-swenson-and-adrian-wood-ep-515/">Mothering Autism: Navigating Grief, Marriage, and Community :: Carrie Cariello, Kate Swenson, and Adrian Wood [Ep 515]</a></li>
<li><a href="https://heathermacfadyen.com/2023/06/12/parenting-neurodivergent-children-summer-edition-carrie-cassell-ep-413/">Parenting Neurodivergent Children–Summer Edition :: Carrie Cassell [Ep 413]</a></li>
</ul>
<div>
<br>
Featured Sponsors: <br>
<br>
</div>
<ul>
<li>
<strong>Thrive Causemetics:</strong> Complete your fall look. Go to <a href="http://thrivecausemetics.com/DMA">thrivecausemetics.com/DMA</a> for an exclusive 20% off your first order. </li>
<li>
<strong>StoryWorth Memoirs:</strong> Give your loved ones a unique keepsake you’ll all cherish for years–Storyworth Memoirs! Right now, save $10 or more during their Holiday sale when you go to <a href="http://storyworth.com/dma">storyworth.com/dma</a> !</li>
</ul>
</description>](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts211/v4/13/b2/09/13b2090d-b06f-3bd2-676d-8eb1739c0221/mza_12651396023885475537.png/600x600bb.jpg&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)