SPECIAL needs ministry
SPECIAL forces
Special Needs Ministry at Eastside Christian Church PROVIDES A SAFE AND LOVING ENVIRONMENT FOR PERSONS WITH SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL, OR DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFERENCES WHERE WE ENCOURAGE THEM IN THEIR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS!
Preschool - 8th Grade
For ages 3 - 13 we provide a self-contained room that mirrors our Kidside program. We provide curriculum and environment accommodations so each child can participate at their ability or comfort level. Alternatively, a Special Forces Buddy is paired with your child as they mainstream into one of our Kidside classrooms.
high school + up
For ages 14 & up we provide a self-contained room where the main service is streamed at a lower volume level. Basic activities are provided and monitored by two fully screened Change Makers.
To provide the best experience, please fill out an intake form prior to your first visit.
Hear how one family has been impacted
by the special needs ministry at eastside.
The Rivas family’s journey with Eastside Christian Church began during the At The Movies Series. From the moment you meet them, you can’t help but notice the joy that radiates from their lives. With two children, including their daughter Kaelyn who has Down syndrome, finding a church that accommodated their needs had been a struggle. When they discovered Eastside they found not only did we offer a Special Needs classroom but also provided mainstreaming for inclusive support.
The kid-friendly atmosphere instantly won the family over. The Kidside team’s effort to make everyone feel welcome was evident from the start. Despite initial nervousness about leaving Kaelyn due to past experiences, the Rivas family kept their phone nearby in case of any texts. To their surprise and delight, they were able to sit through the entire message without a single interruption. The feeling of having your children well-loved and cared for is priceless, and this marked the beginning of the Rivas family falling in love with Eastside.
When they returned for Easter, the Rivas family couldn’t help but share their gratitude with the friends who had invited them. Thanks to the wonderful way Kaelyn was made to feel comfortable and the warm welcome she received from the Kidside team and Change Makers, Eastside had become their home.
Kidside is dedicated to making every child feel welcome and creating a place for them to experience God’s love without limits based on age or ability. Change Makers are the real heroes at Eastside. They generously give their time every weekend to ensure that a friendly face is always there to greet each child, making a lasting impact on families like the Rivas.
for service availability please choose your location:
Special Forces (ages 3 – 13 years) meet during all weekend services in Launch Pad A. Look for the yellow door down the Preschool Hallway.
Special Forces 14 & Up meets during the Saturday 4pm, Sunday at 9am and 10:30am service in Meeting Room A – near the south entrance of the auditorium.
All participants in Special Forces must check in at Kidside Kiosks for a security tag.
Special Forces meets during the 10:30 service.
All participants in Special Forces must check in at Kidside Kiosks for a security tag.
Coming Soon! We desire to offer both an interactive classroom experience as well as a buddy system for kids with Special Needs and Developmental Differences ages birth-5th grade.
Coming Soon! We desire to offer both an interactive classroom experience as well as a buddy system for kids with Special Needs and Developmental Differences ages birth-5th grade.
Coming Soon! We desire to offer both an interactive classroom experience as well as a buddy system for kids with Special Needs and Developmental Differences ages birth-5th grade.
Coming Soon! We desire to offer both an interactive classroom experience as well as a buddy system for kids with Special Needs and Developmental Differences ages birth-5th grade.