CHURCH Stories
Bethany EvangelicalFree Church
BethanyEvangelicalFree Church
At Bethany Evangelical Free Church (BEFC), inclusion was not just a response to an immediate need- it was a step of faith and preparation. Even though they did not yet have children with disabilities in their Sunday School, BEFC’s leaders recognised the importance of creating a welcoming and prepared environment for all families. This proactive mindset set the tone for a meaningful partnership between BEFC and KIN, one built on shared learning, strategic planning, and a whole-church commitment to inclusion.
2023
Laying the Foundations
The journey began with a leader’s initiative. In July 2023, Lee Lihui, BEFC’s Children’s Ministry leader, attended KIN’s Certificate of Christian Disability Ministry (CCDM) module on Inclusive Christian Communities, equipping herself with a theological and practical foundation for disability inclusion. This learning soon led to deeper conversations.
By September 2023, BEFC and KIN began discussing what an Inclusive Sunday School could look like. During these conversations, BEFC shared their heart for families with disabilities- that they wanted to position themselves and be ready for any families with disabilities that stepped into the church. KIN worked with BEFC to assess their context and explore how best to take meaningful steps toward inclusion.
Recognising that inclusion must be embraced by the whole church, BEFC invited KIN in October to deliver a sermon on disability inclusion, sharing the biblical perspective on why and how the Church can respond. This message planted the seeds for a deeper cultural shift, ensuring that disability inclusion began to be a shared value across the congregation.
2024
From Vision to Action – Transitioning towards an Inclusive Church Together
With a strong foundation in place, BEFC took intentional steps to engage the broader church.
● February-March 2024: A 3-part Bethany Discipleship Class series equipped members with a biblical and practical understanding of whole-of-church disability inclusion.
● May 2024: BEFC embarked on the Inclusive Sunday School Programme, starting with an observation session by KIN’s consultant. This session helped assess the current classroom culture and environment, providing insights into strengths and growth areas.
● July 2024: Following the observation, BEFC and KIN held a consultation session to review the findings, prioritise short-term goals, and plan next steps. Lihui also continued her own learning by attending KIN’s CCDM: Inclusive Christian Education module, reinforcing her knowledge with deeper pedagogical insights.
● August 2024: BEFC’s Sunday School teachers gathered for the Transitioning to an Inclusive Sunday School Training, where they aligned on the vision for inclusion and were equipped with foundational skills to support children of different abilities.
● October 2024: KIN was invited back to speak and set up a booth at BEFC’s Sunday Service, reinforcing the church’s heart for disability inclusion.
● December 2024: As the year came to a close, BEFC and KIN met to review the year’s progress, discuss how training materials were being implemented, and strategise next steps. Together, they mapped out an action plan for the coming year, ensuring that
inclusion remained a sustained effort, not just a one-time initiative.
2025
Deepening the Commitment- Growth Through Reflection and Action
Entering a new year, BEFC was ready to build on its momentum and deepen its commitment to inclusion.
● February 2025: KIN and BEFC reconnected to check in on progress and discuss how the plans were unfolding.
● March 2025: KIN conducted a second round of observations, this time including both Sunday School and the Bethany Discipleship Class (Kids), to assess how the church’s inclusion efforts were taking root in practice.
The Steps Ahead: A Roadmap
● June 2025: There will be a survey conducted for BEFC’s Children’s Ministry teachers, gathering insights into their serving experiences and identifying areas for further support.
● July 2025: Another consultation session is scheduled to analyse the survey findings, discuss observation insights, and prioritise goals for the next phase of training.
● August 2025: The Building an Inclusive Sunday School Workshop will take the teachers’ learning to the next level, focusing on applying inclusive discipleship principles to lesson design and classroom engagement.
● October 2025: KIN will be participating in BEFC’s Missions Weekend, where the impact of disability inclusion would be showcased alongside other church ministries.
● November 2025: BEFC and KIN planned to close the year with a final consult session, reviewing training outcomes and refining strategies for continued growth.
● 2026: BEFC will be embarking on Re:Member, an initiative to equip the church on Dementia, through a series of trainings.
A Journey of Shared Ownership and Lasting Impact
BEFC’s journey reflects a deep commitment to proactive, whole-church inclusion. From the start, they took ownership of their vision- proactively seeking knowledge, engaging their congregation, and shaping their ministry plans, to pre-position their church for disability inclusion when the need arises.
KIN came alongside as a strategic partner, providing guidance, resources, and training, while BEFC made each decision intentionally, shaping an approach that fit their church context.
Together, they built not just an Inclusive Sunday School, but an Inclusive Church- one that is ready to welcome every family with open arms, now and in the future.