Special Needs

Grace Special Needs

At Grace Special Needs, we celebrate that God has created EVERYONE on purpose and with purpose! We encourage all individuals of all ages to use their God-given gifts and abilities as they learn what it means to be outward-focused followers of Jesus in a safe, welcoming environment!


What Grace Special Needs Offers

  1. One-on-one buddies in our Grace Kids Ministry! Our goal is to incorporate every child into a classroom that is developmentally or socially appropriate. We focus on having a consistent volunteer with each child so they can build a relationship with the child. We are also happy to work with parents to develop a unique plan for their child if their typical peer’s classroom is too overwhelming. This programming is available at all services at each campus! Our North Overland Park campus is currently at capacity for their volunteer team. Please consider our South Overland Park or Olathe campuses or contact us if you would like to be on a waitlist.
  2. Grace Special Needs Adult Class for students and adults with special needs! This class meets during the last Sunday service at each campus. This class attends worship with the congregation at the beginning of service, and then heads to their classroom for a lesson designed with our adults with special needs in mind! At our South Overland Park campus, there are two classes (our 9:30 class is intended for 6th-21 year olds, and our 11:00 class is intended for 22 year olds and older). This class is currently unavailable at our North Overland Park campus, but is expected to return by Fall 2025.
  3. Grace Students - Special Needs Grace Group is also available for students (grades 6-12) that want to attend our student ministry on Wednesday evenings, from 6:15-8:15pm. This is structured similarly to our adults class, with a social time before the service begins, worship with the whole student ministry, and then a small group time with the same lesson offered at a more accessible level. If your student does not need a buddy, they are welcome to attend Grace Students with their typical peers. Currently this group is only available at our Olathe and South Overland Park campuses.

What's Next

If you have a loved one with special needs and would like for them to be a part of Grace Special Needs Ministry, please plan your visit by clicking the button or contact Tessa Bontrager at tbontrager@visitgracechurch.com.

Our Ministry Partner - SOAR Special Needs Ministry

We also partner with SOAR Special Needs Ministry to offer a few additional events at Grace Church for families with special needs throughout the year:

  1. SOARly Needed R&R Nights: bi-monthly, themed respite nights free of charge.
  2. SOAR Summer Day Camp: annual full day summer camp for individuals with special needs, held every July.
  3. Wonderfully Made Conference: conference for families, ministry leaders, and professionals to have “strength for today, and hope for tomorrow."

If you would like more information about SOAR, please go to their website, soarspecialneeds.org!