White Faith and Disability Logo
Opening the door for everyone to know, experience, and follow Jesus.
Two boys participating in the sensor-friendly vacation bible school at North Way Sewickley Valley

How does the gospel inform the way we think about disability? Though we all have different abilities, our stories are the same. We’re more alike than we think. We are all made in the image of God. We all share a story of struggle and find hope in the gospel of Jesus.

While there are many excellent resources to help us think clinically about disability, there are few to help us think Biblically. Faith and Disability is a one-day conference to encourage parents and caregivers and to equip the church.

Speakers

Keynote Speaker: Katherine Wolf

Katherine Wolf is a stroke survivor and disability advocate who leverages her redemptive story to encourage those with broken bodies, broken brains, and broken hearts. She and her husband Jay live in Atlanta with their sons, James and John. Together, Katherine and Jay are resourcing people experiencing disabilities through Hope Heals Camp and Mend Coffee. They have co-authored two best-selling books Hope Heals and Suffer Strong. Katherine’s first devotional collection, Treasures in the Dark, is now available.

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Speaker: Doug Muetzel

Douglas Muetzel serves as Chief Executive Officer of Wesley Family Services, a nonprofit whose mission is to empower children, adults and families by providing transformational care. The agency delivers a diverse array of innovative and evidence-based care through more than 50 programs and services in the areas of behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, community empowerment, aging, specialized education, and family support and preservation.  WFS serves more than 20,000 individuals and families each year who reside in more than 10 counties in Western Pennsylvania.

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Breakout Sessions

Parent/Caregiver Track

FROM FEAR TO FAITH

No parent is prepared to hear their child has a disability. A diagnosis brings a litany of questions that often lead to fear, isolation, and shame. How do you grapple with a diagnosis while trusting God is good? Learn from other parents who share their stories of navigating the joys and grief of parenting a child with disabilities.

FROM PAIN TO PURPOSE

The journey of being a parent of a child with a disability is difficult, but God has not forgotten you. He wastes nothing and uses everything for His glory and your good. Do you feel a stirring that all of your learning, advocating, and struggling could help someone else? Learn from others who have found purpose in their pain.

Ministry Leader Track

STARTING A DISABILITY MINISTRY

How do we open the door for everyone to know, experience, and follow Jesus? We remove barriers by sharing the gospel in a way for it to be best understood. Is your church exploring the possibility of a disability ministry but not sure how to begin? Hear from local ministry leaders as they share what they learned as they started a disability ministry including: how to build a sensory room, implement a new culture in your congregation, and begin to lead with a lens for the disability community.

HOW TO BRING INCLUSION TO YOUR CHURCH FOR FREE

Do you have a heart for the disability community but lack the resources to begin a specific program? You can reflect the wildly inclusive heart of Jesus without spending anything.  Learn how to create adaptive resources, make curriculum more inclusive, find free resources, and more.

General Education Track

DEVELOPING A THEOLOGY OF DISABILITY

If you’ve ever wondered what the Bible has to say about people with disabilities or how disability shapes our faith and our understanding of God and others, you aren’t alone. A biblical view of disability is essential as we work to have lives, relationships, and churches that wholly reflect Christ.

A SIBLING'S PERSPECTIVE

Being a sibling of a person with a disability presents a unique set of challenges and special moments. It can change the trajectory of your life in more ways than one. Build empathy and understanding for families touched by disability, as you hear siblings share how their experiences impacted their lives.

10 Ways to Be More Inclusive

As followers of Jesus, we believe that every person is valuable. This isn’t just something we say, but something we practice. Whether it is in your home, church, workplace, or social circles, you can lead the way in being more inclusive of people with disabilities and in doing so, reflect the heart of God.

Bonus Track (Lunch)

THE BODY AND DISABILITY

Adapted sports and holistic care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Parents will benefit greatly from this event, however it will challenge and encourage anyone looking to develop a deeper understanding of how the gospel informs the way we approach disability.

Due to the large volume of participants, we are unable to offer childcare for this event. Please make other arrangements for your child.

We would love to have you join us. Church groups are accommodated in our group pricing. For any other questions regarding your larger reservation, please email tickets@northway.org.

If you would benefit from this resource, we want you to be here. If the ticket price prohibits you from attending, please email tickets@northway.org.

Tickets are non-refundable. They are, however, transferable. So you may give them to someone else in your absence. At the time of purchase, you will receive an email confirmation, which contains conference information. Please keep this confirmation email, as it is your ticket to the event. If you transfer your ticket to someone else, you can let us know by emailing tickets@northway.org.

Yes, lunch is provided. Please check back for more details.

8:45am

Doors Open

9-9:30am

Check-in & Coffee

9:30-10:30am

Welcome & Main Session 1

10:45-11:25am

Breakout Session 1

11:30am-12:30pm

Lunch/Connection Time

12:45-1:30pm

Main Session 2

1:45-2:25pm

Breakout Session 2

2:30-3:00pm

Closing/Resource Tables

All tickets are general admission, so it is a first-come, first-served seating process. Doors open at 8:30am.

If tickets are still available, walk-ins will be welcome until 9:30am the morning of the event.

Media Kit

Conference 11 x 17 Poster
Conference Postcard
Conference Facebook Graphic
Conference Instagram Graphic

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