ABOUT US
Inclusion ministry:
Created on purpose for a purpose
Kingdom Inclusion was created to serve and love families impacted by disabilities and to build awareness of the special needs population. We deliver the message of the gospel, invite participants to be part of the body of Christ and foster a sense of belonging and inclusion for all.
We are a group that meets weekly and monthly for various events that serve teens and adults with special needs. Our ministry begins in the church. We meet at Crossroads East Side in Cincinnati, Ohio (and we hope to continue to grow this ministry and expand to more Crossroads locations and other churches within the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky area in the future). We serve people throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky with varying degrees of special needs who require assistance in order to understand the message of the gospel and/or to participate in the work of the church community. Because disabilities cover a huge spectrum, we meet families and participants where they are.
At Kingdom Inclusion, we come alongside families impacted by disabilities by sharing the message of the gospel in a language for all to understand, creating a community of support and inclusion, building lifelong friendships and empowering people with special needs to know and understand their God-given purpose.
Message from our founder, Stephanie Smith
"I believe that every life has value and purpose, that every life is a gift from God and that everyone should have access to the gospel message in a language they can understand.
One of the most inspiring people in my life is my older sister Shelley who has cerebral palsy. She has pushed through challenges in this life many of us will never face and she has done it all with a positive attitude. She has inspired me to reach people with special needs, a population often forgotten and definitely underserved. In the process of doing so, lives are being changed!
In Matthew 23, Jesus calls us to humble ourselves and serve others. In John 13, Jesus demonstrates this for us when he meets the needs of the disciples and washes their feet before a meal. It wasn’t a glamorous job. It was that of a servant. My incredible parents, Steve and Patti Lane, have demonstrated this message firsthand for me with their lives. They gave up their own desires to raise their daughter, my sister Shelley. They gave me an image of what it looks like to wake up every morning, get down on their knees and do the hard work of a servant. They never asked for an award, recognition or even a thank you. They have simply followed Jesus’ example with their own lives.
I want to continue the work my parents have started. I want to reach more families impacted by disabilities. I do this now through Kingdom Inclusion as we continue to empower people impacted by disability and share the love of God. I believe that every member of the community is a valuable part of the body of Christ and we can help them discover their worth."
- Stephanie Smith, Kingdom Inclusion Founder