Ministry to People with Disabilities

Ministry to People with Disabilities

My name is Molly Steiner, and I am called to ministry to people with disabilities I live in Northeastern, Wisconsin, in the United States. I grew up in a Christian home and accepted Christ when I was six years old. I went on several mission trips when I was in high school, and I also got involved with a camp for people with disabilities and loved it. It changed me.

Personal Growth at the Disability Camp

I started as a counselor in training, then counselor, worker, and intern. I eventually came on as a full-time missionary at Camp Daniel and was there for five years. There, I learned so much about ministry, life, serving, leadership, sacrifice, raising support, helping others, loving others, community, life skills, and so much more.

During my time there, I led a small group Bible study for ladies with special needs and helped with the office administration. I helped with construction projects and would lead teams when they came for workdays. I was a Special Olympics coach and agency manager. Sound and video set up and helping with other tasks were part of my work as well. This work was for our Friday night church for people with disabilities called The Able Church. For the last year, I was also the worship leader.

We had four weeks of summer camp. During the summer, I helped the director’s wife, and we stayed one step ahead of the group and set up and took down for different events and activities. I did the administration with applications, nametags, schedules, and signups. I led worship, took pictures, and many other things.

Called to Ministry to People with Disabilities

All of those things shaped me, and my ministry passion is people with disabilities. They are a blessing to be around. Most of my spiritual growth came from spending time with them. There is joy and innocence about them. They worship purely and beautifully since they don’t have stuff in the way as we do. They can connect with God on a deep and meaningful level. I have learned much from them.

There are many people with disabilities in my community. There are many group homes and a couple of workshops. The mission field is enormous. Most people with disabilities don’t come to church because they don’t have a ride. We can start with that. It has been a privilege to be a part of The Able Church, a church for people with disabilities. The church has been around for about eight years. It has been exciting to watch it grow and change. It has been a blessing to see the members get involved with Bible study, service projects, and things during the service.

My Marriage and Our Ministry to People with Disabilities

During my time at Camp Daniel, I met my husband, Justin. Justin has a physical disability. He is in a wheelchair. We married in August of 2015. He shares a passion for working with people with disabilities, as well. I guess you could say my life was destined for disability ministry because I live it every day now.

I don’t know what God has next for us, but I know it will be okay. Right now, Justin is going to school to be a network specialist. We do the sound and video at the church for people with disabilities, the kid’s ministry, and Celebrate Recovery. It has been a blessing to do all of these ministries together. The church I am currently involved with supports me because they are entirely supportive of the ministry for people with disabilities we are doing there.

My Vision and Study at CLI

I can see myself as a mix of a pastor, evangelist, small group leader, and church planter. My heart is in all of those for sure. If I had to choose one, it would be a small group leader. I got to watch a group of ladies change and grow over four years of leading Bible study with them. In the end, they became leaders. It was a beautiful thing.

Please, pray that God shows us what is next and that we follow in that. Pray that God will bring more workers and helpers for our church. Please, pray that God provides drivers, so our members have a ride to church.

I have some extra time on my hands right now, and I wanted to take advantage of it. I have some ministry training, and now I want some Biblical training. Even though I live in the US, things are tight. I wouldn’t be able to do this any other way. I am so thankful for the Christian Leaders Institute for providing me with this opportunity to get the training I need to do the ministry God has called me to do.

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