Nor Cal Champions Club

Check out the new Champions Club daily devotional on the Bible app!!!

Would Finn be welcome at your church? He’s welcome at Champions Club! #Repost @mr.finncredible As the church, we are called to love & serve the marginalized.... That includes people with disabilities. But what would happen if I brought Finn to your church on Sunday? Would he be welcome in your nursery? He has a feeding tube. A hearing aid. Down syndrome. And he may require supplemental oxygen while he sleeps. Would your volunteers feel comfortable caring for him? What about when he's 8? Will he be welcome in Sunday school? If he requires a one-on-one aid, would you give him one? Would you make sure he has all the support he needs? Will he be allowed to participate in class even if he has "behaviors" associated with his diagnosis? What about when he's 14? Will he be welcome in youth group? Will you help foster friendships between him & his neurotypical peers? What about when he's 30? Will he be welcome at Bible study? If he loves to sing, will he be welcome on the worship team? Will you give him a ride to church? Will you take him seriously when he shares his insight on the Bible? The vast majority of families who have a child with a disability don't attend church. There are several reasons for this. But one of the biggest ones is families feel they aren't welcome. And these feelings are often justified. It is estimated that only 15% of churches have some sort of disability ministry. So if I am a parent who knows my child requires extra support but I don't see any explanation of how my child will be uniquely supported at your church, I won't visit. Roughly 13% of Americans have a disability. So it begs the question, does 13% of your church congregation have a disability? If the answer is no, why not? Church, if there are not children, teens, and adults with disabilities in your church family, this is the year to change that. Find ways to support kids with disabilities in your classrooms. Offer respite nights to families who have children with special needs. Find ways to serve adults with disabilities in your community. And treat individuals with disabilities as essential members of the body of Christ. After all, that's what the Bible says.

What a wonderful time we had in our Champions Club this weekend at Valley Church! Our amazing care team did fun activities, read over our lesson, created fun crafts, and prayed with our Champs! We love our Champions and Champions families so very much! We can’t wait to see you all again next weekend!! Have a blessed week!

Powerful words from Valley Church Lead Pastor Jeremy White!

Happy Halloween Champs!! Valley Church’s Harvest Festival is today October 31st from 6:00pm-8:00pm! We will have VIP parking and wristbands available for your Champion. When you arrive please let the Parking Team attendant know and they will direct you to the VIP Parking area and there will be a booth with volunteers handing out a map of the event. Make sure you ask the volunteers for a wristband for your Champion. The wristband helps Champions have access to the front of the line at our carnival games, trunk or treating, and other activities too! We hope to see you!!

This is a must watch! Incredible interview with Jeremy White. Thank you Craig Johnson and Lakewood Church for your love and generosity!

Happy Father’s Day to all the WONDERFUL Dads out there! You’re such an amazing father and role model to your children! Your love, wisdom, and guidance are such a beautiful blessing! Thank you for everything you do! We hope you have an amazing day with your family! We love you all so much!

Giving gift bags to some of our amazing Champions! More deliveries to come this week! It was so sweet to see their faces and share love to them from a social distance! Our hearts break not being able to gather weekly. We miss seeing your sweet faces and spending time with you! Just know we are praying and thinking about you all everyday! We are always here for you!... I know during this time it can be hard and confusing as to why you aren’t able to go see your family , friends, church, teachers, classmates, and your favorite places. Remember that Jesus is ALWAYS with you and He will ALWAYS bring you strength, hope, peace, love, and joy during this time! We love you Champs!! I can do all things through Christ who makes me strong! Philippians 4:13 (adapted)

Please check out this video! This is an amazing discussion about special needs ministry hosted by Pastor Tim Dailey and Life Connection Church.