Pastor Benjamin Hankin of LifeHouse Salem County Church in Pennsville, New Jersey, never dreamed his congregation would have a budding disability ministry. It just happened. Rather, God ordained it.
What began as helping with a sports league for kids with disabilities developed into wonderful relationships with families and transitioned to a successful vacation Bible school this summer.
It started with baseball. Hankin’s wife, Wendy, who works as a guidance secretary at a high school, heard about a local Little League Division from a colleague. The league is designed to give children and young adults the opportunity to participate in sports regardless of ability or limitations.
At the end of the spring 2023 season, the church also hosted the first annual awards event for the league.
Ben said that got him to ask, “What are you doing next, Lord?”
God’s answer? Vacation Bible school (VBS). That may have seemed strange since the church had no young children, but Wendy said she sensed God saying, “I have given you kids”, those baseball players.
The VBS was designed for children and young adults with disabilities and their siblings.
The LifeHouse team designed their own curriculum under the theme “Created by God,” based on Ephesians 2:10.
Wendy said, “We wanted to make sure they knew without a shadow of a doubt that God loves them, that He created them,” “You are created for a purpose.”