For years, attending church as a family wasn’t possible for the Alstons, whose 6-year-old son has autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. That is until a chance conversation led the family to a Virginia church dedicated to creating a space for individuals with special needs to grow in faith.
David Platt, the lead pastor at McLean Bible Church, told The Christian Post that caring for families like the Alstons is a priority for the church because they believe it’s also a priority for God.
Platt said, “He (God) loves, pursues, and is committed to providing for each of these individuals and their families, and we want to be a reflection of who He is for them every Sunday and all throughout the week.”
McLean Bible Church has served individuals and families since 1996 through its Access Ministry, which includes Sunday school classes for individuals with special needs, monthly respite activities, sibling events and summer camp. What started as a way to accommodate four families with special needs children has grown into a ministry that serves more than 1,000 children and their families.
Access Ministry Director Julia Lundquist told The Christian Post, “We want to come around these families, and we want to make sure they can come to church together. We’ve seen how this ministry has been the core of our church, and our whole church family has realized these people are an important part of our church.”