Learn more about our Special Needs ministry

Marissa Wiegand
Marissa Wiegand
Last updated 
Welcome to FCC Children with Special Needs Ministry. We are here to encourage you and your family in your walk with Jesus. The goal of this ministry is to create a safe environment where all members of a family are provided an opportunity to attend and be a part of Freedom Center Church.
We fully believe as it is declared in Psalms "Behold, children are a gift of the Lord (127:3)" and each is "fearfully and wonderfully made; (139:14)." Likewise, we believe every child is a gift and that all of God's children belong to the body of Christ. From the belief in the teachings of Jesus Christ, our love for God, and our love for people, we look forward to serving you and your family.
Know this ministry is a 3 fold ministry. 
1) We are here to share God's love and care with your wonderful child
2) while you and the rest of your family can enjoy your walk with Jesus at FCC, you are comforted in knowing your child is safe and cared for
3) and we are helping our church body to not have a stigmatism towards individuals/ children/families with special needs, that they are just as much a gift of the Lord as they are.

For your first visit there is a one-time Child with Special Needs Questionnaire for you to fill out so we can better understand and meet the needs of your child. This questionnaire is linked below for you to fill out prior to your first visit with us.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and your family.
Blessings from FFC Children with Special Needs Ministry leaders,
Carey Panlener
810-533-8045
Pastor JD Wiegand


FCC Children with Special Needs Service Schedule:
Your child and you will meet outside the FCC Kids' Nursery Room before going to their group class or FCC Children with Special Needs room. This provides a set location to meet and be checked in by FFC Children with Special Needs Ministry leaders. Children with a FFC Friend will be picked up from the same location. Child safety is top priority so any child checked in with FFC Friends must be checked out as well.
Once children are checked into FFC Children with Special Needs Ministry, they will participate in open play with their peers. By spending the beginning part of service among their peers, they are not segregated or removed from the rest of the congregation. Unless children are unable to due to medical reasons, sensory issues, or parents request otherwise, we encourage these interactions. For children who do not participate in open play, they may enter their class room and enjoy other small group or individual activities.
Below is a description of what each portion of the service will look like, no matter which room they are in. For children in the FFC Children with Special Needs Ministry room, we will try to give a normal church service experience similar to those of other FCC Kids' Ministries. Each week we will strive to give them open play time, worship, story, and craft/activity.
The following may or may not apply to our FCC Children with Special Needs room, but we will still strive to do our best to make them learn and feel God's words and love.
After free play, children will be asked to find their seat and the classroom time begins with prayer and worship.
Once worship is over, the leader will go over the monthly verse with them... encouraging them to repeat the verse if able.
Children will hear a story and do an activity or craft based on the principle described in their monthly verse. Often a child may be read the story while participating in an interactive activity. Activities will be suited for the group as best as possible. This approach allows children to apply what they are hearing from the stories of the Bible and obtain a more literal understanding of them. We encourage parents to review the monthly verse as well as talk with their child about what they learned in service.
When service is over, please remember to pick up your child who is with their FFC Friend at the same location that they were dropped off.

General First Aid Reference
Dealing with a Cold, the Flu, or COVID:
There may be occasions when parents will bring their child to church unaware that the child has a cold, the flu, or COVID. This usually happens when a cold is mistaken for seasonal allergies or when a child hasn't displayed symptoms of the flu or COVID. Due to the potential of spreading illness here are a few things to keep in mind if this situation arises:
  •  If a child becomes feverish, begins vomiting, or shows other symptoms of the flu parents will be contacted. We cannot keep a child with the flu or COVID.
  •  If a child has a runny nose that is clear, you can drop off.
  •  If a child has a green or yellow runny nose, there may be an infection present. Please do not drop off your child.
  •  In the case of coughing, encourage the child to cover their mouth. If the child is unable, speak with leaders on how to best assist or handle such a case.

Matters of FCC Friends
A few things for everyone to know:
Child safety is a top priority at Freedom Center Church, so leaders, parents, volunteers and children are all expected to adhere to the drop off and pick up policies in place.
Freedom Center Church does not offer diaper changes or restroom assistance for children over the age of 2. Parents of children requiring restroom assistance will be called or texted directly from their child's FCC Friend if needed during service. We can take them to the restroom and stand outside the restroom door, but we cannot go into the restroom with them.
If there is ever a conflict please bring it to the attention of FFC Children with Special Needs Ministry leader or Pastor JD Wiegand immediately so it can be resolved. Open lines of communication are a must for making Sunday service enjoyable for everyone.