During His earthly ministry, Jesus demonstrated a remarkable love, care and attention for those who were disabled or had special needs (Matt. 15:30-31, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 14:15-24).
Numerous Oklahoma Baptist churches across the state are showing His love, care and attention toward those facing disabilities or special needs through dedicated ministries. Oklahoma Baptists, as a state convention, likewise have demonstrated care and leadership in this important ministry space, such as through “Camp Perfect Wings.”
During the recent Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) annual meeting, Southern Baptists as a whole highlighted the importance of this ministry need through a Task Force report and approving
a resolution.
On June 10, the Southern Baptist Convention’s Disability Ministry Task Force presented its report and recommendations to messengers at the annual meeting of the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando.
The task force was led by Tom Stolle, who serves as executive director of the Baptist Convention of Maryland/Delaware. “If you took all the people on our planet with disabilities and added them together, you would have the third largest country in the world, just behind India and China,” said Stolle. “We cannot leave them behind.”
As reported by BRN United, “The Task Force discussed the availability and accessibility of resources for disability ministries across Southern Baptist churches, how churches are presently engaging in ministry to individuals and their families affected by disabilities, and how they can better come alongside and support families who have loved ones that are affected
by disability.
“They made recommendations across the landscape of the SBC. Some of the overarching goals for Southern Baptist and church leaders include:
“Understand that 15-20 percent of the population has a disability, but they are underrepresented in our churches, making this an opportunity to reach families with the hope of the Gospel.
“Identify key church leaders and families in the congregation impacted by disability to help address potential physical and social barriers that may be preventing special-needs families from attending church.
“With help from Southern Baptist entities and/or parachurch organizations, develop a plan for inclusion for children, teens and adults with disabilities that includes evangelism, discipleship, fellowship and service opportunities.
“Build trust within one’s communities to reach families affected by disability by meeting practical needs and pointing them to Jesus, who meets their deepest need.”
One Oklahoma Baptist ministry wife observed the significance of this. Erin Johnson said on Facebook, “I have several highlights from the SBC meeting this year, but I’ll just share two that made the biggest impact on me. The IMB Sending Ceremony, where 63 new missionaries being commissioned to the ends of the earth (6 of those from Oklahoma). And secondly, the special task force… report this year of recommendations for Southern Baptists to make disability ministry a priority across all entities and churches.”
Johnson added, “My family is blessed with a church that deeply cares for our special needs community, but this isn’t the case for all places. I think this is partly due to pure lack of resources, not necessarily a lack of desire for inclusivity. Overall, this (SBC action) is great progress, a start. The special needs community are people created in God’s image, with inherent divine worth. They are not ‘glitches.’”
Amen to that! While the SBC Task Force Report and resolution are small steps forward—they are steps forward. And the Lord can and often does work mightily through small steps of obedience.
“Who dares despise the day of small things, since the seven eyes of the Lord that range throughout the earth will rejoice when they see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel?” (Zechariah 4:10)
