Special Needs
The Special Needs ministry of First Baptist Jenks seeks to minister to children and young adults with identified special needs while parents attend Small Group, Worship, or serve within the church. It is our desire to provide a safe, loving, Christ-centered environment for individuals with special needs to learn God’s word.
“For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts,[e] yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.” 1 Corinthians 12:12-26
What to Expect
Our Special Needs Ministry offers support on Sunday mornings during our Modern Worship hours through either Inclusion with a Buddy (see info below) or the Special Connections Class. Click below for a link to our Special Needs Plan.
We ask families to help us with the following:
- Print and complete the Special Needs Ministry Family Questionnaire (link below) and bring it with you on your first visit. Inform the Director of any changes as they develop.
- Provide a current contact number upon each visit.
- Remain with the child until child/ student is settled with the teacher.
- If contacted, agree to check on their child as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to accommodate; parents may be asked to pick up child in extreme situations.
What is a Special Needs Buddy?
A person willing to “buddy” with a special needs child/student during their time at church. Buddy received training and provides appropriate level of assistance to the child.
Can I be a Buddy?
- Must be a member of First Baptist Jenks and complete a background check if over 18 years of age.
- Commit to training provided by First Baptist Jenks.
- Be consistent, dedicated, punctual, and dependable. Families and children depend upon their Buddy to help them have a positive church experience.
- Maintain confidentiality. A buddy may witness behaviors and issues that are to be kept private between the family and the Director. Respect the privacy of the child and their family.
- Avoid giving advice. Report questions/ concerns to the Director. A Buddy’s role is to love, nurture, protect, and guide.
- Be understanding, compassionate, patient, and flexible. Things WILL happen that will be outside the typical child/ student’s behavior. See the child through God’s eyes as part of the body of Christ.
Contact
If you have questions about Special Needs, please contact us using the form below.