Sandra Peoples (M. Div, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is one of the leading voices in the special-needs community. She is the author of three books, including her most recent release, Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family. Sandra is currently a PhD student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of family ministry with an emphasis on inclusion for special needs families.

Sandra serves the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention as their special-needs ministry consultant, helping churches around the state start and strengthen their disability ministries. She also teaches a disability ministry cohort through Gospel Centered Family. Sandra is a monthly cohost for Key Ministry: The Podcast, where she will share her perspective on family aspects of disability ministry and inclusion. She and her friend Tiffany Crow also host All Access, a yearly conference held in February in the Houston area for ministry leaders and volunteers.

Becky Davidson is the co-Founder and President of Rising Above Ministries. After the unexpected death of her husband Jeff, she assumed the leadership of their shared ministry and honored his memory by shepherding his last book, Common Man, Extraordinary Call, through publication. Becky and her son, Jon Alex, live in Cookeville, Tennessee.

Becky also founded Redefine This Life, “a place where we can meet and talk about how to manage the unexpected challenges of life. It offers a new way of thinking and ‘being’ that gives hope to those seemingly hopeless situations. I have found remarkable power in learning how to redefine the negatives into hopeful possibilities, but there are some steps you must take to make it stick. I have some hard-won truths I want to share with you so that you have a better chance of not just surviving, but thriving.”

Evana is a God-fearing wife and mother of two children. Her daughter has Down syndrome and a complex medical history. Professionally, Evana is a pediatric speech-language pathologist in private practice.

Cara Milne is the owner of M-Powered Planning, an award winning business that has been promoting positive and valuable roles for people who are vulnerable for over 15 years. Cara provides training and consulting that is innovative and practical for both agencies and families. Cara’s book and training seminars encourage staff and families to see the strengths of their existing services, and simple strategies that create positive changes in the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Cara’s positive and energetic approach supports both common sense and sustainable change. Cara is the proud author of the book, “Building Community; Practical ways to build inclusive communities for people who are vulnerable.”

Jason Hague lives in Junction City, Oregon, where he serves as the associate pastor for Christ’s Center Church and chief storyteller for his wife and five children. He writes and speaks regularly on the intersection of faith, fatherhood, and autism, and he chronicles his own journey using prose, poetry, and video at JasonHague.com.

Bronwyn serves as the Inclusion Coordinator at University Covenant Church (UCC) in Davis, CA and is the co-facilitator of Me Too!, a support group for mothers of children with special needs. She also serves as a board member for University Covenant Nursery School, UCC’s inclusive weekday preschool. She is married with three children and has sat on both sides of the IEP table both as a special education teacher and as a parent.

Married for 25 years, Melanie is the  mom of two young men, one of whom was born with a rare genetic disorder. Their family resides in sunny South Florida where she attempts to balance a full-time career, in Human Resources, full-time caregiving, and full-time passion for ministry to other special needs parents.  You can find her writing on the Special Needs Parenting blog at Key Ministry and her website is Redefine Special. 

It is Ryan’s passion to equip and empower churches, organizations, and individuals to reach their disability communities for Jesus. Ryan comes to Ability Ministry with 15+ years of ministry experience. He previously worked at First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio as their full-time Disability Pastor. He also worked as a Church Consultant for Key Ministry. Ryan is an ordained Pastor. Micah 6:8 and Proverbs 31:8 best describe Ryan’s commitment to life and ministry. He is available for speaking, training, and consultation.

Jenn Soehnlin is a middle school English teacher, writer, and mother to two sons, whom she describes as “precious little lads who are precious blessings and who both have special needs.”

Her heart is to share encouragement and God’s truths with moms who are also traveling the special needs parenting journey. When she’s not busy taking her boys to yet another appointment, she enjoys hiking, reading, writing, and blogging on her website, Embracing Life. Check out Jenn’s book, Embracing Life: Learning to Flourish as a Mother with a Child with Special Needs