When our son Caleb was born in 2012 with Down syndrome and multiple medical complexities, my husband Brad and I quickly learned what it means to walk by faith—and to lean on the support of a loving church family. Oklahoma City, Quail Springs surrounded us during diagnoses, surgeries and daily challenges, always ensuring Caleb was included in every aspect of children’s ministry. We were cared for. We were seen.

Brad Johnson, Stephanie’s husband, attends Camp Perfect Wings at CrossTimbers with his son Caleb.

But in 2019, God began stirring something deeper in my heart—not just for my own family, but for the many other families affected by disability who hadn’t yet found that kind of support in church. Alongside a few other families and ministry leaders, we began praying about the future of disability ministry at OKC, Quail Springs. Over time, it became clear: God was calling us to build something new.

Unaware of local models to follow, we looked outward—learning from churches and ministry leaders across the country. In August 2022, we launched Masterpiece Ministry at OKC, Quail Springs. Over the past three years, we’ve seen God grow this ministry in powerful ways as we’ve welcomed more individuals and families affected by disability into the life of our church.

The Johnson family.

Our family also began attending Camp Perfect Wings, a ministry of Oklahoma Baptists held at CrossTimbers. This three-day, two-night camp serves individuals with special needs, ages eight and up, and has become a place of deep connection for us. Through our time at camp, we discovered that many churches across Oklahoma are eager to launch or expand their own disability ministries—but often feel isolated or under-resourced.

That’s why we are thrilled to announce the EQUIP Disability Ministry Conference, hosted at OKC, Quail Springs on Saturday, September 13, 2025. This all-day event is designed to equip both new and experienced ministry leaders to better serve individuals and families affected by disability. Whether your church is just beginning or already has a ministry in place, EQUIP will offer practical tools, encouragement and community.

The conference will feature nationally recognized keynote speakers, hands-on breakout sessions, and a panel discussion with experienced leaders from a variety of church contexts. Our prayer is to connect ministry leaders across Oklahoma with the relationships and resources needed to build sustainable, Gospel-centered disability ministries.

We hope you’ll join us at EQUIP. Together, we can build churches where every person is seen, valued, and included—because every person is created in the image of God.

For more information about the Equip Disability Conference, visit
https://qsbc.org/events/equip-disability-conference/