Exceptional Needs
(Special Needs Ministry)A Place Where Your Child Is Known, Loved, and Pointed to Jesus
“O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay; and you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand.”
– Isaiah 64:8
As a parent or guardian of a child with exceptional needs, you want more than childcare; you want a place where your child is safe, understood, and growing in their faith.
We’re here to walk with you.
Central Church’s Exceptional Needs Ministry exists to make sure every child and family knows they belong. We strive to create an environment where every person of every ability is valued, equipped, and flourishing as part of God’s beautiful design.
We use lessons made specifically for children with special needs to show just how much God loves them. All while you attend church. Whether your child is with their peers in Central Kids or in the sensory room, we make sure every child has an adult buddy by their side to show them the love of Christ and help them grow in their understanding of who Jesus is. You don’t have to choose between caring for your child and being spiritually refreshed, we want you to experience both.
Ready to take the next step?
If you have a child with special needs and would like to be a part of this ministry, please fill out our intake form using the button below.
Want to volunteer?
If you would like to volunteer with the Exceptional Needs Ministry, please fill out the volunteer form.
You’re not just welcome here, you’re wanted.
For Your Child:
Your child is a purposeful and loving creation of God. Our heart is for your child to:
- Know Jesus and grow in Christlikeness
- Feel safe, welcomed, and valued, with their individual needs thoughtfully cared for
- Hear the Gospel every time they’re with us, in ways they can understand
- Look forward to church, excited to see their adult buddy and friends each week
For You:
You carry a lot, and you don’t have to carry it alone. Our hope for you is to:
- Rest knowing child is safe, cared for, and being shown the love of Christ
- Fully engage in worship, finding encouragement and renewal in God’s Word
- Belong to a caring church family that supports you and helps you grow in your own walk with Christ
What does Sunday look like?
Beginning in January 2026, we will launch our new Exceptional Needs Ministry at 9:00 AM on Sunday mornings.
By March 22, we will expand to both the 9:00 & 11:00 AM services. As this ministry grows, other times (such as Wednesday nights) will be considered, as well as special events.
We offer both an inclusive setting where your child can participate alongside other children of the same age, or a sensory room located adjacent to our main gathering space. In both settings, your child will be assigned an adult buddy to engage them and help them learn about God. The starting point for either setting is to fill out our intake form and let us know more about your child and how we can partner with you.
Inclusion
Our inclusion setting allows children to participate with their peers while receiving individualized support. On Sundays, Parents will check their child in, and their assigned buddy will join them in their classroom. Check out the Central Kids page to find out more about our check-in process and safety procedures.
If necessary, our buddies can divert and engage your child should they grow overwhelmed or dysregulated by their surroundings.
Sensory Room
We also have a sensory room for those who are sensory-seeking or have sensory-aversions. In this room, your child will be assigned an adult buddy who will work with your child 1-on-1. We also use Bible curriculum specifically made for children with special needs.
The Sensory Room is located directly next to our Worship Center, where we gather for worship services every Sunday.
The first step is filling out the Exceptional Needs intake form. Then, on Sundays, you would check your child in at the Sensory Room, where your buddy will spend the next hour playing, teaching, and engaging your child.
About Our Buddy System
Our goal is for every child to have an adult buddy who can work 1-on-1 with them. Each buddy will get to know your child’s likes, dislikes, strengths, goals, and behaviors. The information you fill out on the intake form is used to personalize your child’s time with their buddy. While we aim to have the same buddy with your child each week, this will not always be possible, and we will have substitutes on standby. Each buddy is background checked and trained by our Exceptional Needs team leaders.
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When will the Exceptional Needs Ministry Launch?
We’re excited to share that we are planning to launch this ministry in January 2026. An official launch date will be announced as soon as it’s finalized, so please keep an eye out for updates!
January 1, 2026 Update:
We’re currently wrapping up a few final details with contractors as work on the sensory room continues. Once those timelines are confirmed, we’ll be able to share more specifics about our opening date. We’re grateful for your patience as we work to create a space that serves families well.
Our initial launch will take place during the 9:00 AM service, with plans to expand to the 11:00 AM service beginning March 22. If we’re able to open earlier, we’ll be sure to communicate that here and directly with parents.
As the ministry grows, we’re excited to expand into Wednesday nights and to offer special one-time events designed to support and encourage families. So please pray for us! Sunday mornings are only the beginning.
Can my child attend more than one service?
At this time, our ministry is available during the 9:00 AM service only.
As the ministry grows, we plan to expand support to the 11:00 AM service as well.
To help us serve families well, we ask that each child participate in one service time. If your family needs support across multiple services, please reach out to us at info@centralchurch.com and we’d be happy to start a conversation.
What ages do you support?
Our inclusion setting is designed to support children and students ages 3–18.
Our sensory room is currently available for students in Kindergarten through 5th grade.
At this time, we’re not yet equipped to provide a dedicated environment for adults with special needs. That said, we care deeply about every family and would love to connect. If you have an adult with special needs, please reach out to us at info@centralchurch.com, and we’d be glad to begin a conversation about how we can support you.
What types of diagnoses can you accommodate?
Our goal is to support children and students with a wide range of needs, including autism, learning disabilities, and genetic or chromosomal differences such as Down syndrome.
At this time, we do not have a licensed nurse on-site, so we’re unable to provide care for all medical conditions or needs that require medical monitoring or clinical intervention. That said, every child is unique, and we welcome the opportunity to learn more about your family. We encourage parents and caregivers to share their child’s needs with us so we can determine together how best to support them.
Will someone help my child in the restroom?
For the safety and dignity of every child, our team is not able to enter restrooms with children or assist with diapering or toileting needs. However, our volunteers are happy to walk your child to the restroom and wait outside the door until they are finished, then walk them back to their group.
If your child requires hands-on restroom assistance, we ask that a parent or caregiver remain available via texting or phone call. We’re always glad to talk through individual needs and help you plan for a successful experience. Please fill out an intake form to let us know about your child’s needs.
What happens if my child has medications they need to take during service hours?
For the safety of every child, our volunteers are not able to administer medications during ministry hours. We ask that a parent or guardian give all medications before or after your child is with us.
The only exception is in life-threatening situations, such as a severe allergic reaction, where emergency measures (including the use of an EpiPen) may be necessary.
We are prayerfully seeking a licensed nurse to volunteer with this ministry. If you know someone who may be interested in serving in this way, please contact us at info@centralchurch.com and we would love to connect.
Do I need to remain on campus during the service?
Yes. For the safety and well-being of every child, we ask that a parent or guardian remain on Central Church’s campus while their child is in our care. This allows us to quickly connect with you if your child needs additional support at any point during the service.
Thank you for partnering with us as we work together to create a safe, supportive experience for your child.
Do I need to be a part of Central Church (or any church)?
All are welcome!
You do not need to be a member of Central Church in order to bring your child to the Exceptional Needs Ministry. Our only request is that you take this time to rest, be refreshed in God’s Word, and be open to finding a community of Christians who want to walk alongside you.
Can I volunteer with this ministry?
Yes! We are always grateful for additional volunteers who feel called to serve families in this ministry. If you’re interested in volunteering, please email info@centralchurch.com to let us know!
At this time, we ask parents or guardians of children with special needs to prioritize attending a worship service rather than volunteering. While we sincerely appreciate your willingness to help, we believe one of the best ways we can serve these families is by giving parents and caregivers the opportunity to rest, worship, and be encouraged by God’s Word during the service.
If you have a question that isn’t covered on this page, please feel free to email info@centralchurch.com.
Interested in your child being part of the Exceptional Needs Ministry?
Fill out this form to let us know how we can help.