Welcome To Side by Side

Welcome to Side by Side, http://mefc.org/specialneeds.aspx  a special needs ministry of the Montgomery Evangelical Free Church in Belle Mead, NJ. http://www.mefc.org/

Side by Side was birthed in November, 2010 when I had the privilege of sharing a message entitled, “Showing God’s Kindness” based on the story of David and Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 9).  This scripture is a wonderful example of four ways the faith community can minister to people with special needs and their families.  At the end of my message I said, “I’m looking for people to help me start a special needs ministry here at MEFC”.  I was pleased to see that twenty people signed up to attend an information meeting.

God used several life experiences to lead my wife, Nancy, and I to this point.  In 2003 I served as a hospice volunteer and learned that special skills are not required to show God’s kindness or to brighten someone’s day.  A simple willingness to serve and make oneself available can make a difference in the life of someone who could use a helping hand.  In 2006 we visited an orphanage for children with disabilities in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and our hearts were touched by the great medical need of some of the children there.  We tried for about two years to find an organization willing to treat some of the more treatable diseases – such as congenital cataracts – but to no avail.  

Undoubtedly, the most significant event that led us to start a special needs ministry was the birth of our granddaughter, Kate.  Kate was born with Down Syndrome a little more than four years ago and has delighted our hearts ever since.  Through her we have been sensitized to the blessings and challenges special needs families encounter every day.  We have been blessed by professional caregivers, friends, and strangers.  We have also come to appreciate that caring for an individual with a disability is a 24/7 responsibility.  A labor of love to be sure – but a labor nonetheless.

Ultimately, Nancy and I came under conviction that God was calling us to start a special needs ministry at our church.  MEFC is a caring church and has reached out to many people over the years but we lacked an intentional focus on disabilities.  We lacked a plan to help us become more user friendly, more welcoming and more helpful to people with special needs and their families across the aisle, across the street and across the globe.

This blog will talk about our experiences and draw from the experiences of others.  It will talk about Side by Side ministries within our church and within our community.  We’ll talk about resources we’ve found to be helpful and friends we’ve met along the way.  We will seek to encourage those with special needs and their families.  We know we will be encouraged by them.  We are unashamedly Christian in our outlook and our approach.  We are also unashamedly open to the best the world has to offer to care for adults and children with special needs and their families.

Our logo illustrates our philosophy.  Note that both trees thrive from their interaction together.  Similarly, Side by Side believes that everyone is made by God in His image, is uniquely gifted by Him and has much to share.  At Side by Side there is a place of fellowship for everyone. Accordingly, Side by Side is a relationship, not a program. 

So, come along side.  Side by Side, we’ll grow together.

Will_M for Side by Side