Lauren Hickman
Lauren Hickman is the Director and Founder of Wonderfully Made Ministry, a church ministry dedicated to serving individuals with disabilities and equipping churches to welcome and support these families. She is also a lead special education teacher in the Hope Allen Center for Exceptional Children. Lauren is passionate about helping churches recognize the God-given worth […]
Joel Sheagren
Joel Sheagren is an award-winning filmmaker and photographer and the father of neurodiverse children with FASD, autism, ADHD, and trauma-related challenges. He is the co-author of the books Embracing Hope: Innovative Strategies to Empower Parents Raising Neurodiverse Teens and Embrace Neurodiversity: A Church Resource. He is also the visionary behind the multimedia Embraced Movement project, […]
Jana Magruder
Jana Magruder serves as the Strategic Initiatives Director of Lifeway NextGen. She is a graduate of Baylor University with a background in education, publishing, and ministry. As host of the podcast, Kids Ministry Calling, Jana loves championing and equipping leaders and families in the local church. She is the author of Nothing Less and Kids […]
Mary Tutterow
Mary Tutterow is the author of The Heart of the Caregiver® study series – a curriculum for those caring for someone with chronic illness, disability, mental illness or age-related issues. The curriculum has been in churches and online groups around the world for more than 10 years. Mary consults with churches and denominations on family […]
Katie Matthews
Katie Matthews is a mom of three, a pastor’s wife, and BCM/D’s Disability Ministry Consultant. She leads a disability ministry at her church called Bethany Blessings. She is passionate about bringing the gospel to families of individuals with disabilities and seeks to train other churches on how to minister to these families. Her desire is […]
Dan Vander Plaats
Dan Vander Plaats serves as Vice President of Development for Acts 29. He brings more than 30 years of Christian ministry and organizational leadership experience, including significant expertise and proven success in fundraising for Christian ministries. Dan is also a disability advocate committed to helping churches cultivate greater access, dignity, and belonging, all for the […]
Abby Howard
After sustaining a rare stroke in her spinal cord, which caused an incomplete spinal cord injury, Abby began realizing just how inaccessible church is for the disability community. The Lord used her own disability to make her passionate about one of the most unreached people groups in the world, those impacted by special needs and […]
Melissa Ortiz
Melissa Ortiz is founder and principal of Capability Consulting, an award-winning speaker, and a self-described “relentlessly resilient warrior princess (RRWP).” At Capability Consulting she advises on ADA-compliance, accessibility, and disability policy. She served as a presidential appointee and has written op-eds for USA Today, the Washington Examiner, and other publications. She has been interviewed by […]
Jordan Duffy
Jordan volunteered with Masterpiece Alliance a few times in the past, but never thought the Lord would lead her to a part time position. Jordan and her husband Paul joined Masterpiece Alliance, a community based organization for adults with disabilities, in July of 2025. Jordan was previously a nurse, but she felt called to step […]
Kristen Lewis
Kristen works in Southeast Asia where she supports a vocational training center for neurodivergent young adults. She has over 20 years of experience in disability ministry and 12 years professionally in special education. Kristen met Steve in Memphis where they were part of a disciple-making team working with international families.