EMERGE

SPECIAL NEEDS MINISTRY

In Emerge Students, our mission is to make sure every student has an opportunity to hear the gospel and feel the love of Christ. We use a one-on-one buddy system to ensure that each student is immersed in an inclusive environment with the comfort of a buddy to walk with them throughout each of our weekend services. Our goal is to meet each student where they are and provide them with the services they need to understand the gospel at their level. We started this ministry to give each student a purposeful experience with Jesus and time for parents to truly rest in God’s presence, knowing their student is in a safe and loving environment. 

    In Emerge, we provide a one-on-one buddy system. Each student is matched with a volunteer buddy that stays with them throughout the entire service. We train our volunteers to fully love and meet the unique needs of their buddy to the best of their ability. Our volunteers attend to each student's needs, whether that be in the classroom or in one of our sensory rooms. We hope that by having a buddy system in Emerge, we are able to foster loving relationships between our volunteers and families. This is done by making sure our volunteers are showing their buddy the love of Jesus Christ throughout their time together.

    Emerge provides buddies for students on a case-by-case basis. If you are interested in your student attending one of our student ministries (EON, Encounter, Evident), please fill out an Emerge application by clicking the "Register my student" tab. From there, someone from the Emerge team will reach out to provide a buddy for your student, depending on what student ministry they will be attending. 

    If your student is in high school or older, we provide Emerge Teens and Adults on Saturday nights at the 7:00 pm service and on Sunday mornings at the 11:00 am service in the Fox Room. This ministry exists to provide a church service for teens and adults with special needs where they can worship, learn the Bible, and participate in small group discussions with their peers. To see more information about this ministry, please view the "Emerge | Adults" page.

    Because Emerge is a one-on-one ministry, our Emerge team must know when your student will be attending service. If you are a new family, please take the time to fill out an Emerge Student Application by clicking the link above. Once you fill out the initial application, someone from the Emerge team will contact you. The Emerge team will give you more information about how to get plugged in and how to communicate which service you will be attending each week to ensure that your student has an Emerge buddy. Please wait to be contacted by the Emerge team before attending for the first time to make sure they are fully prepared for your student and can support them to the best of their ability.  

    This process is designed to ensure that your student has the best support and care possible while they are at church. We want you, as the parent, to have peace of mind when you leave your student with Emerge. We want to provide an opportunity where you can attend service, receive rest and respite while getting filled up through worship and teaching, knowing your student is being shown the love of Christ, and being cared for intentionally by a volunteer. The goal of Emerge is full inclusion, and we will advocate this for your student as we see what classroom environment is most beneficial for them. If you have any questions about how to get your student plugged in with Emerge, please email   . 

    Emerge would not be possible without our team of volunteers. If you are interested in serving with this ministry, please fill out our volunteer application.

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    QUESTIONS?

    How does my student receive an Emerge buddy?

    The first step in receiving an Emerge buddy for your student is to fill out an application found on the "Register Your Student" tab. Once you have filled out an application, someone from the Emerge team will contact you about receiving a buddy. Please wait to hear from the team before coming to church to ensure that we are equipped to care for your student.

    What will my student be doing in Emerge?

    Our goal in Emerge is to provide full inclusion for each student, to whatever degree is most beneficial for them. We provide many tools and resources for students to help them participate with their peers. Their Emerge buddy is there to provide whatever support they need. Each student will have an opportunity to worship, hear a Bible lesson, and participate in small group discussions.

    What kind of support does Emerge provide for my student / family?

    We have 3 sensory rooms that provide breaks and sensory-friendly activities for students whenever they need it. We also have resources such as visual schedules, reward charts, etc. to help students succeed in class. We work with each volunteer to provide the best support possible for each student. We support families by allowing them to receive rest and respite while attending service, knowing their student is being loved and cared for.

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