Special Needs Ministries

Kids, Students and Adults

Our Mission

At HNW, we want to help all people advance in their journey with Christ, and this includes people of all ages and ability levels. Our Special Needs Ministry seeks to provide spiritual growth and development for children, students, and adults with special needs and their families. All of our volunteers are trained and equipped to care for your children, and they have the heart to do so.
Night to Shine is an unforgettable prom night experience, centered on God's love, for people with special needs ages 14 and older.

This coming year, on Friday, February 7, 2024, Night to Shine will celebrate its eleventh anniversary as hundreds of churches and volunteers come together to honor thousands of guests with special needs.

Our church is so excited to join other churches around the globe in hosting this unforgettable night!

To register as a guest or volunteer click the button below!

Meeting Your Needs

The Special Needs Ministry at HNW exists to glorify God by helping all people of all ages, along with their families, advance in their journey with Christ by becoming full participants and contributors in the body of Christ. The heart of the Special Needs Ministry is to give your family member a worship experience that fits his or her needs and to create an environment where he or she can learn about God and experience the presence of Jesus Christ. Our goal is to serve your family with excellence.

Empowered Homes exists to provide practical resources and strategies to help empower your home to be all that it was designed to be. Click here to find resources for marriage, parenting and personal growth.

Join us on Sundays!

If your special needs family member plans to attend on Sunday mornings, one way to help your first visit go as smoothly as possible is to submit your completed registration form before you arrive.
KIDS (Infants - 5th Grade) meet at 9 and 10:30 a.m. in the Kids Bldg.

STUDENTS (6th-12th Grade) HAVEN Students Adaptive Small Group meets at 9 a.m. in Roadside. HAVEN Traditional Student Service meet at 10:30 a.m. in Student Bldg. South. Click here for more info on HAVEN Students.

ADULTS (18+) meet at 9 and 10:30 a.m. in The Commons by the coffee bar.

Serve with us!

Serving others with special needs can bring some of the greatest joys and memories in life. We would love for you to join our team!

FAQ's

Contact our Special Needs Coordinator for more info.

How will my child be integrated into his/her class?
Our special needs ministry aims to include children in general classrooms as much as possible. Our Special Needs Coordinator will work with you to determine what level of inclusion will set them up for the greatest level of success. Children may be fully included, partially included, or stay in one of our sensory classrooms on any given Sunday depending on the child’s individual plan, volunteer availability, and classroom dynamic.

Where should I drop off and pick up my family member? 
Children who are part of the special needs ministry will always start and finish in the special needs sensory classroom downstairs in the Kids Building unless other arrangements have been made with the staff. Students with special needs can be dropped off and picked up in the Student Building. Adults with special needs will start and finish in The Commons. Students and adults will have their own age-appropriate worship experience.

What does my family member do in class while I am in service? 
Your child will have the opportunity to experience worship, engage in a Bible story, pray, and play with other kids. Their time in class is designed to be structured, purposeful, and fun. Students in 6th-12th grade will join student worship. Adults will spend time in large and small group worship with intentional Bible teaching and prayer.

Is there someone I can talk to about setting up spiritual goals for my child?
Yes! If you are interested in an ISP (Individualized Spiritual Plan) for your child, please reach out to our Special Needs Coordinator. We will be happy to meet and discuss any spiritual goals you might have.

Who is caring for my family member?
The leaders in our special needs ministry love this community deeply and have been trained for their roles by the HNW staff, but they are not all necessarily professionals. They offer their time freely and care for each person to the best of their abilities as members of the special needs volunteer team. Each member of our volunteer team has completed child protection and abuse prevention trainings, passed a background check and submitted a detailed application.

What if my child is having behavioral problems?
If a child starts behaving inappropriately, the staff will set up a meeting with you to discuss the behavior and develop a plan to encourage positive change. You may also receive a call/text asking you to check on your child. We will call the number on file, so please make sure this number is kept current.

Will my family member ever be alone with an adult?
We stand with you in prioritizing safety and accountability. HNW Kids and the Special Needs Ministry will always have two adults in the classroom at all times.