Special Needs Ministry
At First Christian Church, we recognize the uniqueness of each individual who worships here, and we realize that sometimes a child or adult might need an accommodation in order to participate in programming. We want to partner with the family of a special needs child of any age to help ensure safety and appropriate placement while participating in events at First Christian Church. Our staff has enlisted the help of special needs professionals to guide us in helping special needs individuals know that they are safe and loved. We have a plan.

If you have a family member with special needs, here are the steps to helping us serve your loved one well:
- Fill out the Special Needs Information Form below or pick up a hard copy at the Guest Check-In desk located in the FirstKids lobby.
- After we have received your completed form, a member of the Family Ministry Team will contact you to schedule a meeting and tour of the ministry space. This is to determine the best placement for your special needs family member.
- Come to church with your special needs loved one. We understand just how much your special needs family member means to you. Therefore, we want you to feel confident that every member of your family will be well cared for during their time at First Christian Church.
If you have any questions, please contact Family Ministries Director, Heather Vance at hvance@firstdecatur.org or 217.875.3350.
Note: We also have a small group for families of those with special needs called Decatur Area Special Blessings. Everyone from the community is invited. We meet the first Tuesday of each month from 6-7:15pm at First Christian Church in the FirstKids Elementary Large Group Room. Childcare is provided for all ages. The meetings include a variety of formats: Q&A, resource and informational topics, guest speakers, and social events. For more info, contact Jodi VerHeecke at decaturareaspecialblessings@gmail.com.
Special Needs Information Form