Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church Equips Members to Build a More Inclusive Ministry

DeLand, Florida — On Sabbath, July 25, 2026, members of the Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church in DeLand, Florida, participated in an engaging and transformational presentation entitled “Disability Inclusion: Diverse Abilities, Many Possibilities,” presented by Dr. Jennifer Sankey-Battles, Ph.D., Health and Possibilities Director. The training was made possible through the leadership of Pastor Alex Williams and First Elder Corban Robinson, who recognized the importance of equipping the church to intentionally welcome and involve individuals with disabilities in every aspect of church life.

More than 30 members attended the interactive ministry event, where they discovered that disability inclusion is not simply about accessibility—it is about recognizing the God-given value, dignity, and abilities of every individual giving them equal opportunity to participate in ministry and social activities. Additionally, creating a welcoming environment from the parking lot to the pew, platform, potluck, and to the parting from the church property.

Using 1 Corinthians 12, Dr. Sankey-Battles reminded participants that the body of Christ is made up of many members with diverse gifts and abilities. Just as every part of the body has an important function, every person has unique abilities that contribute to the ministry and mission of God’s church. Participants also examined examples from the life of Jesus, who consistently demonstrated compassion, acceptance, dignity, and inclusion toward individuals with disabilities. His ministry showed that every person deserves to be seen, valued, loved, and given opportunities to participate in the community of faith.

Throughout the presentation, attendees actively engaged in demonstrations, simulations, discussions, and practical application exercises designed to strengthen their understanding of disability inclusion. Members learned disability etiquette that describes how to accept, respect support, and intentionally involve individuals with disabilities in worship services and in reach and outreach ministry.

One of the highlights of the training was a church accessibility assessment. Members worked in pairs and were assigned various areas of the church property to evaluate existing accessibility features and identify physical barriers that could limit participation. Teams carefully observed entrances, walkways, restrooms, classrooms, parking areas, and other facilities before reporting their findings to the larger group.

The assessment generated meaningful discussion as participants identified both accessible and inaccessible areas of the property. Together, members developed practical recommendations to remove barriers, improve accessibility, and create an environment where individuals of all abilities could safely and comfortably move within the environment to participate in worship and church activities. The exercise emphasized that accessibility extends beyond American Disability Act (ADA) compliance—it reflects Christ’s love by preparing places where everyone is welcomed and can belong.

Another memorable component of the training was a blindfold simulation exercise. Several volunteers agreed to be blindfolded while youth and young adults served as their guides around the church property. The activity was designed to help participants experience some of the emotions and challenges that individuals with visual impairments may encounter, while highlighting the importance of compassionate guidance, patience, trust, safety, and support.

Following the exercise, participants reflected on their experiences.

Among the comments shared were:

· “It felt good to help someone who needed me.”

· “I was nervous and afraid.”

· “I trusted my guide.”

Many participants naturally connected the experience with their walk of faith, offering spiritual insights such as:

· “Walk by faith and not by sight.” (2 Corinthians 5:7)

· “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

· “Call on the name of the Lord in times of need.”

· “Trust God even if you cannot see Him.”

· “Remove obstacles from life so we can walk the straight and narrow way.”

These reflections reinforced that disability inclusion is both a practical ministry and a spiritual calling. Just as believers depend upon God for guidance, the church is called to guide, support, and encourage one another so that every member can fully participate in the body of Christ.

As Emmanuel Seventh-day Adventist Church continues its journey toward greater accessibility and inclusion, the congregation serves as an example that embracing diverse abilities creates many possibilities for ministry. At the conclusion of the presentation, members committed to being on the lookout (BOLO) for individuals with disabilities—not merely noticing their presence, but intentionally preparing welcoming, accessible environments where everyone experiences belonging. Participants pledged to remove barriers, extend invitations to serve, and recognize the many abilities individuals with disabilities bring to the church family.

Dr. Sankey-Battles emphasized that disability inclusion is not a one-time initiative but an ongoing ministry that reflects the heart of Christ. Churches are encouraged to provide annual disability inclusion training for pastors, ministry leaders, and church members to increase awareness, clarify responsibilities, and strengthen their ability to foster congregations where every person are given equal opportunities to worship, fellowship, grow spiritually, and advance God’s kingdom. For more information contact Dr. Jennifer Sankey-Battles, 352-720-5206 or Jennifer.sankey@secsda.org