Description
Is your church exploring how to better welcome and include neurodivergent children—but unsure how to train your volunteers effectively? Have you ever found yourself asking, “How can I best equip our Sunday School teachers for inclusive ministry?”
This session is designed for pastors, educators, and ministry leaders who want to lead confident, effective trainings for Sunday School teachers and volunteers. Just as congregations routinely prepare Elders and Deacons, we need regular, thoughtful training for those who nurture and support our youngest members—especially those with diverse learning and sensory needs.
Participants will gain:
Practical tools to lead volunteer trainings in a variety of church contexts
Strategies for creating inclusive classroom and ministry environments
Guidance on recognizing and responding to different learning styles
A flexible, adaptable training model to take home
Whether you’re building a program from scratch or refining your current approach, this session will empower you to foster a culture of welcome and belonging—one training at a time.
Workshop Leader: Michelle Junkin
Michelle Junkin, MACE, M.Div, D. Min, is Pastor of Spiritual Formation at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Michelle holds a Certificate in Non-Profit Management. She is a Director of Big Faith Resources, a Lilly Foundation, Inc. initiative supporting and equipping churches to minister to neurodiverse.
Co-Leader: Heather Selement
Heather Selement is Director of Children’s Ministry at Westminster Presbyterian Church and additionally, implements the new ministry programing for Special Needs including seasonal Sensory Friendly Worship services. Prior to working at WPC, Heather served at the Director of Family Ministry at the City Rescue Mission homeless shelter. She is the Assistant Director of Big Faith Resources.