Our special needs ministry (Barnabas) exists to glorify God by sharing the love of Jesus Christ and the truths of His Word with children and adults with special needs while supporting and encouraging their families through participation in the church body.
Dear Families with Special Needs Individuals,
The pastors and staff of Grace Church welcome you!
Knowing that families with special needs face unique difficulties and challenges with church involvement, we want you to know we value your presence here. Our goal is to provide the support you need to worship and grow in your own faith journey.
Our special needs ministry has trained volunteers to help you navigate Sunday mornings and settle your child into an appropriate Sunday school class. They can also answer any questions you have about our church ministries and small group connections. We are glad you are at Grace!
God’s Blessings,
Troy Dobbs
Senior Pastor, Grace Church
Dear Families with Special Needs,
I'm Michael Crawford, the Director of the Special Needs Ministry at Grace Church. Thanks for checking out our ministry. You will see various options for Sunday school, parent groups, Respite Nights, Prayer Team support, and several other activities that we want to make available to you.
A big church can be an overwhelming experience for a family – much less one that deals with the challenges of special needs! It's important to us that you, as parents and siblings, get into the Sunday service every week so you can sit under the teaching of God's Word and experience the fellowship of other believers. But just as important is providing a safe and appropriate setting for your special needs child or young person so that they, too, can hear about Jesus, know His love and experience loving relationships with God's people.
Look over the ministry and when you're ready, give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you.
Our special needs ministry (Barnabas) exists to glorify God by sharing the love of Jesus Christ and the truths of His Word with children and adults with special needs while supporting and encouraging their families through participation in the church body.
Dear Families with Special Needs Individuals,
The pastors and staff of Grace Church welcome you!
Knowing that families with special needs face unique difficulties and challenges with church involvement, we want you to know we value your presence here. Our goal is to provide the support you need to worship and grow in your own faith journey.
Our special needs ministry has trained volunteers to help you navigate Sunday mornings and settle your child into an appropriate Sunday school class. They can also answer any questions you have about our church ministries and small group connections. We are glad you are at Grace!
God’s Blessings,
Troy Dobbs
Senior Pastor, Grace Church
Dear Families with Special Needs,
I'm Michael Crawford, the Director of the Special Needs Ministry at Grace Church. Thanks for checking out our ministry. You will see various options for Sunday school, parent groups, Respite Nights, Prayer Team support, and several other activities that we want to make available to you.
A big church can be an overwhelming experience for a family – much less one that deals with the challenges of special needs! It's important to us that you, as parents and siblings, get into the Sunday service every week so you can sit under the teaching of God's Word and experience the fellowship of other believers. But just as important is providing a safe and appropriate setting for your special needs child or young person so that they, too, can hear about Jesus, know His love and experience loving relationships with God's people.
Look over the ministry and when you're ready, give me a call. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sunday mornings are the center of the specials needs ministry. We offer classroom opportunities to children birth through adults at our Eden Prairie location. We serve a variety of students with a disability diagnosis, medical diagnosis, cognitive delays, behavioral disability, and more. The first step in joining our Sunday morning class is to fill out a registration form. This will help us get to know you a little before you come for the first time. We will help you determine the best placement for your child and any support needed while they are with us during Sunday School.
We hope to partner with you to ensure the best care for your child during Sunday mornings at Grace Church Chaska. We will be providing one-on-one care or our “buddy system” for each child on a needed basis. For questions, feel free to contact Pastor Tyler Sotebeer at
Some students are unable to be successful in a regular Sunday school classroom, often due to behavior issues, low cognitive ability or limited ability to communicate. This classroom functions similar to a special education classroom with greater structure, more assistance, and more attention to sensory issues. At 10:40a each Sunday, their time consists of a lesson, music time, activities with related crafts, and snack time.
Questions? Contact Michael Crawford:
As our children grow to be teens and adults, they continue in their walk of faith and in their relationships with one another each Sunday. Many of our students have formed lasting friendships and love being together in this class. Each Sunday at 10:40a, their time together begins with a snack and connecting with each other. They worship together, have a lesson, share prayer requests, and pray together.
Questions? Contact Michael Crawford:
Here are a few testimonies of people who are a part of our special needs ministry. Prayerfully consider joining us!
God tugged on my heartstrings to stretch my faith. The ministry was Barnabas, and I was skeptical. "Really Lord?" I thought. "Volunteering with disabled children?" I had zero experience, but God showed me "You don’t need experience, only love!" In obedience, I walked through the door into the ministry, and it has impacted my life and faith in ways I never knew possible. I have been immeasurably blessed in a ministry where no experience is necessary — just a love for God’s precious children.
At the beginning of each month, we send an e-newsletter to families, volunteers, and those interested in keeping in touch with what is going in our ministry. Each newsletter contains a devotional, upcoming events, and general interest articles. New families are automatically added to the mailing list. Contact us if you are not receiving our newsletter and would like to.
It is a blessing to pray for you! Nothing is too small or too big for God to handle. Coming to Him for all that we need is what this group does. About 65 prayer warriors regularly lifts up the prayer requests of our ministry, our families, and our volunteers. They genuinely care for our families and this ministry.
If you have a prayer request Contact Sue Kabala, our prayer coordinator at You may also request that it be confidential with no names.
We want to reach out and support parents during difficult times. Special needs parents often feel alone and isolated. We have a team of representatives in the special needs ministry who are willing to walk alongside parents during hard times. If this is you or know of a need please let us know. We would love to:
In John 13:34, Jesus speaks of loving one another. Galatians 6:2 says, "Bear one another's burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ."
Contact Michael Crawford at to reach out to our team.
Raising a child with special needs has many additional challenges. Support from other moms and dads experiencing similar situations can be a great support. Check out opportunities for parents to get connected at Grace.
A life full of unknowns is the standard with special needs. Current events in our world have compounded this unease of living with the unknown. In this study, we will answer the question of how to find peace when living with uncertainty. We will find answers to this question by developing a habit of personal time in God's Word and studying Paul's prison letters. In our monthly group time, we will discuss and share answers that we find from our individual reading of The Word. These answers coupled with the practice of personal time in Scripture will equip you to face the unknowns.
Second Monday of Each Month, 6:30p-8:30p
Questions? Contact Lanae Doiron at
We are a group of dads (or guardians) with children who have special needs. During our time together we have the opportunity to share our stories and address our challenges from a biblical perspective. We support each other in community and in prayer. Our study each month typically will be based from Pastor Troy’s message from the previous Sunday.
First Tuesday of Each Month, 6:30p-8:30p
Questions? Contact Thomas O’Connor at
There are many ways to engage and make a difference through our Barnabas Special Needs Ministry:
Our inclusion program gives kids with special needs (birth through elementary school) the opportunity to attend Sunday School with their peers. Sometimes extra support or breaks are needed to be successful. Most volunteers work with just one student, supporting as needed and being available for breaks the child needs. Training is available, and an Inclusion Coordinator is available for support during the 10:40a Eden Prairie services.
Questions? Contact Michael Crawford:
Our Special Needs Sunday school class gives children who cannot be successful in a typical classroom an opportunity to learn more about the love of Jesus and the Gospel in a specialized setting during the 10:40a service only. We have an amazing space to welcome children of all abilities to gather together to learn at their own ability level and participate as they are able. Volunteers are needed for teaching, leading worship, supporting students one-on-one, or being available for different needs that arise. To connect with the Kids Classroom Coordinator, email Tom Kopacek at
Our teen and adult class is an amazing group of students who have gained independence, communication skills, and relationship skills. This group enjoys learning more about Jesus and each other. During the 10:40a service, volunteers are needed to build relationships, teach mini-lessons, help lead worship, and pray with the students. To connect with the Teen and Young Adult Classroom Coordinator, email Michael Crawford at .
Caring for our special needs community takes a lot of love and support from many angles. It also takes knowledge and skill to handle a wide variety of needs. Throughout the year we offer trainings and resources to support our volunteers as much as possible.
Most of our volunteers come to us with no background in disability, but sense God’s calling to serve Him in this unique area. Our volunteers have many different ages, backgrounds, and experiences. Whether you are in high school, college, single, married, young, or young-at-heart, we have a place for you. A willing heart to learn and a commitment to this ministry is all you need. You will fall in love with our kids and realize what a privilege it is to be a part of the spiritual growth and encouragement of the kids and their families. Often, the volunteers mention that they are the ones being blessed the most!
All our volunteers participate in a day-long training in the fall. This training includes:
Continuing education will be provided throughout the year in the format of a couple of informational speakers as well as resources handed out either on Sunday mornings or through email.
Our next respite night will be October 14, 2022.
If you want to be added to the mailing list so you don't miss any announcements, click here.
Questions? Contact Michael Crawford, Special Needs Director, at or (952)224-3177.
Community is especially important for families impacted by special needs. Throughout the year we gather together to support and care for one another.
Each spring we hold a day at Grace set aside for moms of special needs children. Moms come from all over the Twin Cities and surrounding states. Our retreat is a Christ-centered event designed to encourage, support, and bless each mom through worship, teaching, sharing, and fellowship. We bring in speakers who bring hope and life through God’s Word while enjoying a beautiful luncheon.
Questions? Contact Sue Hume at
Join us for our Special Needs summer picnic Sunday, August 21, 2022 at Lake Riley to celebrate all that God has done through our Special Needs Ministry. It is an afternoon to linger over great food, fun, boat rides, and lots of connecting. Meat and water will be provided. Click the link below to register your attendance and sign up for a dish to share. We will also be doing sensory-friendly baptisms - contact Michael Crawford with questions and for registration information.
RSVP and food sign up
