“It’s not your typical Sunday morning church. It’s a sensory-friendly church where individuals and families with special needs can come together and be themselves as they joyfully worship Jesus with all their hearts,” says Greg LeMaster, capturing the heart and mission of Joy Church.
In this interview, we hear from pioneering leader Greg LeMaster about the transformative and inclusive environment of Joy Church, where authenticity and acceptance reign supreme. Greg is the driving force behind Joy Church. He has ministered in everything from a coffee-house turned church to a traditional congregation. He also has a personal connection, as the father of an autistic son.
Fresh Expressions are churches for folks who might not be able to find their place in a typical congregation. Joy Church gives us a vision for an approach to Christian community that fully includes individuals with special needs and their families.
The Heart of Joy Church
What kind of church is Joy Church?
Greg LeMaster: It’s not your typical Sunday morning church where everything is status quo. It’s a sensory-friendly church where individuals and families with special needs can come together and be themselves as they joyfully worship Jesus with all their hearts in a charismatic type of flavor!
We love to empower many of our friends to help lead in the church by singing all types of gospel songs, sharing their amazing poetry, and leading us in a wonderful time of prayer. We love the interaction throughout the church as several testimonies are shared in the church from individuals as well as parents and caretakers giving praises while giving thanksgiving about their loved ones.
Preaching and Messages
What can you tell us about the preaching and messages at Joy Church?
Greg LeMaster: The preaching messages are both a brief Jesus Story from one of the gospels as well as messages from all the individual songs that are sung. Most all special needs folks love music! Several messages come from some by describing their song they are singing and what God is saying through each song to them. We ask for takeaways from the Jesus message as well as at the conclusion of the service of what they loved about the service from inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Memorable Moments
Share some memorable moments you’ve experienced at Joy Church?
Greg LeMaster: Some interesting God moments that we have heard were from a 14-year-old blurting out, “I didn’t know church could be so fun!!” Another was, “I haven’t sung in church since I was a little girl and now I get to do this here!!”
We have had two autistic brothers state that they wanted to teach and lead everyone in the Lord’s prayer because they knew it and none of the smart folks on Jeopardy did.
We have seen several of our miracle folks come to faith in Jesus and be baptized. A father testified about his autistic son who was sitting at the kitchen table, hearing his son repeatedly say, “Jesus, you are so good to me, you are so very good to me!” He went on to say that he felt convicted that he doesn’t talk to Jesus like his son, who has great challenges, and that he was the one who actually had the disability.
The Role of Individuals with Special Needs
How does Joy Church view the role of individuals with special needs in the church?
Greg LeMaster: God has made us all fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:13-16). Currently, one in every 42 boys has some form of autism, while one in every 68 of all children have some form of autism.
Special needs individuals are one of the most unreached people groups in the world. According to the Council for Persons with Disabilities, more than 80% of families with a loved one with special needs are unchurched. What a great opportunity and huge blessing for the church to intentionally reach these precious folks.
I had a lady ask me that about working in our Special Needs VBS but she didn’t know what to do or how to help them. I told her don’t worry, as many folks in our churches haven’t been around the special needs community, and because of that reason, a fear of the unknown happens. I suggested two things to her: all you have to do is be yourself and just love them like Jesus. They will love you back easily.
Personal Experience as a Father
As a father of an autistic son, what has your personal experience been like?
Greg LeMaster: Our son Daniel is 31 and it has been a great life with him. We are so very thankful that God has given him to us. My wife and I are so blessed and grateful that Daniel has a place to worship joyfully along with all the other miracles of God! I pray that you might be encouraged to reach out and make a welcoming place for these wonderfully made people just like you!
Activities and Programs
What are some of the activities and programs offered by Joy Church?
Greg LeMaster: We are now in our tenth year and just recently have gone to two MOG services a month. We also have a Special Needs Prom that we provide every other year, as well as outings like the Santa Train, Special Olympics, and the Richmond Flying Squirrels at the ballpark. Currently, we have two special needs day support organizations that have joined us, as our attendance roll has grown to 70 precious souls. We offer a special needs Sunday school class every Sunday we call Special Buddies. We are now having several families also join us “At The Table” for Dinner Church. For our Special Needs VBS this summer, we are expecting 55 individuals and 35 volunteers.
Greg’s Story and God’s Mission
Fresh Expressions of Church provide congregations with opportunities to reach those whom their typical gatherings and programs do not. But even a truly welcoming congregation does not always have the means to truly include and engage individuals with special needs and their families. Joy Church is inspired by Greg’s life experience and is rooted in a local church, but it also incorporates people who might struggle to find their place. It reminds us not only of how God loves us all, but also how God can use our personal stories to spread the Gospel to new places.
Reflection Questions:
- How can your community create more inclusive spaces for individuals with special needs?
- How can you personally contribute to making your worship environment more welcoming?
- What unique talents or gifts can individuals with special needs bring to your community?
- What actions can you take to help reduce the fear of the unknown when it comes to interacting with the special needs community?
