With Ministries

06/12/2026

We are thrilled to continue to share Faces of WITH, featuring Rene Martinez, President of WITH Ministries. For Rene, belonging isn’t about making room for someone on the margins. It’s about recognizing that we are incomplete without one another.

“I have carried my own experiences of not quite fitting in, of walking into spaces where there were not many people who looked like me or shared my background. That shapes you. But what deepened my understanding of belonging most was spending time in the special needs community.”

Through years of serving alongside individuals and families experiencing disability, Rene discovered something profound: the people society often overlooks have revealed more about God’s character than almost anything else.

“Scripture calls us the body of Christ. If we are not with everyone, if the vulnerable and the suffering are not at the table, the body cannot fully function. We are missing a piece of Him.”

At WITH Ministries, we believe true belonging is not charity. It is not doing ministry for someone or to someone. It is recognizing that every person is an image bearer of God and that the Church is stronger, fuller, and more reflective of Christ when everyone belongs.

Because none of us is whole without the other.

WorshipAsOne

06/09/2026

Recently, our team had the opportunity to equip 30 pastors affiliated with Plant Dallas, and we’re still reflecting on all that we experienced together.

We gathered with church leaders who are reimagining what it looks like for the Church to flourish in today’s world. The conversations were honest, challenging, and deeply encouraging.

One of the highlights of the event was Rebecca’s session, Postures and Prepositions, where she explored how we can move the Church from doing ministry to and for people with disabilities toward ministry with and by people with disabilities.

The reflections we’re sharing in the coming weeks come directly from leaders who attended that session. Their words remind us that belonging isn’t about creating a place for someone on the sidelines…it’s about recognizing that every person is an essential part of the Body of Christ.

We’re grateful for the opportunity to learn alongside so many thoughtful leaders, and we’re excited to continue the conversation.

Accessibility PracticeHeaven

06/04/2026

Today is World Day for Assistive Technology – a reminder that accessibility creates opportunities for people to fully participate, communicate, worship, and belong.

Assistive technology can look like communication devices, sensory supports, captions, adaptive seating, or tools that help individuals navigate the world more independently. But behind every tool is a person made in the image of God, deserving of dignity, inclusion, and community.

At WITH Ministries, we believe accessibility is not an add-on to ministry. It is part of loving our neighbors well.

06/03/2026

𝗖𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽. 𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁.

And we’re seeing early signs that this work is creating real transformation within congregations.

As the demand for inclusive church resources continues to grow, so does the need for capacity.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 $𝟮𝟱,𝟬𝟬𝟬 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗲 𝟯𝟬, so WITH Ministries can continue equipping churches, supporting families, and expanding the reach of this work.

There is still time to help us meet this goal.

➡️ withministries.org/give

06/02/2026

𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝘀 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝘄𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲.

Hosted by WITH Ministries, this gathering brings together pastors and ministry leaders committed to building churches where everyone can fully belong.

This year’s summit will feature:

➡️ New research and practical insight 
➡️ Fresh conversations around accessibility and community
➡️ Real stories from churches experiencing meaningful transformation
➡️ Worship, learning, and community with leaders from across the country

If you’ve attended in the past, we would love to welcome you back. And if you’ve been wondering what WITH is all about, this is the perfect opportunity to experience the heart of this work firsthand.

You’ll leave encouraged, equipped, and reminded that meaningful change is possible.

Trust us… you’ll want to be in the room for this.

𝗦𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 → https://withministries.org/events/worship-as-one/

05/28/2026

Every week, we hear from families who love their church, but still don’t feel fully supported or included.

Not because churches don’t care…but because many simply don’t have the tools or resources they need. That’s where we are asking for your support.

By June 30, WITH Ministries is working to raise $25,000 to:

➡️ Complete resources that help churches create more inclusive environments
➡️ Expand our capacity to support more churches and families

If this mission resonates with you, we hope you’ll consider making a gift today: https://withministries.org/give/

05/26/2026

“Be energized by the faithful opportunity in front of you. Do it with excellence. And be relentless.”

Last week, our Executive Director, Rebecca Wall shared the redemptive work of WITH Ministries at the Praxis Redemptive Imagination Summit in Napa. Before hundreds of culture makers, entrepreneurs, and Christian leaders, Rebecca cast a compelling vision for the Church: to lead the way in creating true belonging for individuals and families experiencing disability.

She challenged a difficult reality…that while society is increasingly moving toward inclusion, the Church has often lagged behind.

But WITH envisions something greater: A Church that repents, responds with faithfulness, moves toward our brothers and sisters with disabilities, and fully embraces the God-given dignity and value of every image bearer, regardless of ability.

The community is innovative, courageous, diverse, and deeply committed to “withness.” What a powerful week celebrating the ways Christians around the world are awakening the Church’s creative and prophetic voice to meet the defining challenges of our time.

And WITH will remain relentless in our pursuit to equip congregations to worship as one complete body.

05/21/2026

Today is Global Accessibility Awareness Day.

Accessibility is more than accommodation… it is an expression of belonging.

When churches, communities, and organizations intentionally remove barriers, they create spaces where people of all abilities can fully participate, contribute, and flourish.

At WITH Ministries, we believe accessibility is not an afterthought. It is part of building communities that reflect the fullness of the body of Christ.

Today, we invite you to consider:

✨ Who might still be experiencing barriers?
✨ What small step could create greater inclusion?
✨ How can we move beyond awareness and into action?

Because accessibility changes more than environments, it changes experiences, relationships, and lives.

WITHMinistries

05/19/2026

What should church leaders understand about disability and belonging?

Recently, WITH Board Member Dr. Erik Carter, Executive Director of the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing, shared thoughtful insight on the role churches can play in creating communities where everyone is seen, valued, and fully included.

His article explores the importance of accessibility, belonging, and moving beyond good intentions toward meaningful action within the life of the Church.

We're grateful for leaders and advocates who continue helping move this conversation forward and challenge us to build spaces that more fully reflect the body of Christ.

If you're passionate about this work, we'd love to see you at Worship As One Summit, returning soon. This event brings together pastors, ministry leaders, and advocates for meaningful conversations around disability, belonging, accessibility, and the future of the Church.

Read the article: https://livingchurch.org/covenant/disabilities-the-church-what-leaders-should-know/

05/13/2026

What would your church do?

If a mom walked through your doors with her two boys (one with Down syndrome and one without) would her family feel truly welcomed? Would they feel embraced? Would they feel like they belong? Or would they, in fact, be ushered into separate spaces, resulting in two very different experiences of church?

Recently, Nakoa Merritt, WITH Ministries’ Community Engagement and Partnerships Coordinator, joined a powerful conversation exploring disability, inclusion, and what it means for churches to create spaces where families can fully participate and flourish.

Through storytelling and lived experience, Nakoa shares both the challenges many families impacted by disability continue to face and the hope that emerges when communities choose intentional inclusion.

Because families impacted by disability are not simply looking to be accommodated. They are longing to be known, embraced, and desired as part of the community.

Belonging is not built through programs alone… it’s built through relationships.

We’re grateful for conversations like these that continue moving the Church toward deeper understanding, accessibility, and withness.

Watch the full conversation →

As a mom of twins, one with a disability and one without, I’ve spent years searching for a church where my children could worship and grow together. Many fam...