"Calling all people to God" means ALL

The front page of our website declares that we exist to call all people to God.
We believe all really means all.
All people. All abilities.

A young child with light brown hair and a dark sweater holds a copy of 'The Beginner's Bible' close, looking thoughtfully to the side.

"Jesus said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"
- Mark 16:15

We strive to create and scaffold spaces for everyone to encounter the love of Jesus and explore God's story.

Two boys seen from behind, sitting close together on a wooden floor while assembling a puzzle. A blue puzzle box is in the foreground.

Better Together

We believe everyone was created in the image of God. When we are in community with people different from us, we learn more about the nature of God. 

At this time, we do not offer a separate Disability Ministry. We work to scaffold and provide support for everyone who comes through our doors to participate in our existing ministries. 

Ready to visit us?

Let Us Know You're Coming!

Meet Some of Our Team!

Our team is composed of Highland staff and volunteers who are committed to creating welcoming spaces for you and your family. This is not a comprehensive list, but a few faces you might see when you visit.

Ashley Crisp - Children's Minister

Ashley Crisp - Children's Minister

"We experience the fullness of the kingdom of God when we all worship together."

Email Ashley
A woman in a pink dress and a girl in pink pants stand smiling in front of a large cross decorated with colorful flowers outside a building entrance.

Ashley Stirman - Student Minister

"Everyone should have an invitation to join God's story."

Email Ashley
A man and three children smile as they pose for a photo in front of a large cross covered in colorful flowers on a sunny day outside a building.

Reid Hillin - Student Minister

"The Spirit calls the church to be a place where all of God’s children belong just as they are, not as anyone else wants them to be."

Email Reid
A woman with glasses and a 'Better Together' t-shirt laughs while standing next to a smiling young boy in a grey hoodie.

Britt Garland - Children's Ministry Intern

"Diversity in our church is the perfect image of the body of Christ, where all people are created good and in God's image!"

Email Britt
A woman embraces a young boy sitting on her lap while they sit on risers in an audience. The boy, wearing a red shirt, looks down at something in his hands.

Jennifer Schroeder - Volunteer

"We are all image bearers of God, bringing unique, irreplaceable value to the community, and without each person, the fullness of God’s kingdom is incomplete."

A young boy in a striped shirt presses a pin art impression toy against another boy's face, creating a 3D imprint of his features.

Sam Pinson - Volunteer

"I want all to know that they are seen, that they are loved, and that that matter in the eyes of God."

A young boy holds a red marker while sitting at a table next to a smiling woman. They are in a classroom with art supplies on the table.

Lisa Adkins - Volunteer

"I want to help people of ALL abilities experience and know the love of Jesus in a meaningful way!"

Pierson Walters - Volunteer

Pierson Walters - Volunteer

“I want everyone at Highland to feel loved and accepted, celebrated for who they are, not defined by their ability.”

Bible Class Accommodations

An overhead view of a young boy in a red shirt reading a book while sitting in a large black beanbag chair, surrounded by stuffed animals and a bin of books.

Children's Ministry

In His Kids Ministry,  we welcome and invite children to join God’s story as we gather in worship, story and response. We worship and hear God's story using our whole bodies and engaging our senses and imaginations. Some supports that are available to children in our care are: 

  • Noise Reducing Headphones 
  • Fidget Tools 
  • Weighted Items (pictured here)
  • Group & 1:1 Support
  • Visuals & Social Stories
  • Sensory Room
  • Motor Movement Space

To learn more about what our typical Sunday looks like,  our gathering times and events and other FAQs about His Kids Ministry, click the link below.

More About children's ministry
Two young boys sit next to each other in an audience. One boy in a green shirt looks at the other, who wears glasses and fiddles with a small orange object.

Student Ministry

In Student Ministry, we recognize that each student has very different needs. We work to scaffold and accommodate each student so they can be successful with us. Some of our support options are: 

  • Noise Reducing Headphones 
  • Fidget Tools (pictured here) 
  • Weighted Lap Pads 
  • Alternative Seating 
  • Clipboards to draw 
  • 1:1 Support
  • Sensory Room
  • Motor Movement Space
More about Student Ministry

Worship Service Supports

Headphones

Our noise reducing headphones fit babies through adults. You can find them in these baskets at the entrances to our worship center.

Buddy Bags

Buddy Bags can be found at most entrances to our worship center. Each bag has several fidget tools and a visual order of worship.

Chewy Tools

For oral sensory seekers we have chewy necklaces available in the South Foyer.

Busy Toddler Room

A place for you to watch the service while allowing space for your children to move around. Located in the South Foyer.

Nursing Mother's Room

A calm space for you to watch the service while caring for your little ones. Located in the South Foyer.

His Kids Worship

Open to all kids ages 3 years old - kindergarten during the sermon of both worship services.

More Information

Barnabas Buddies

Barnabas Buddies is an additional worship service support we offer to those that have aged out of His Kids Worship but benefit from a secondary worship space. We utilize a 1:1 buddy system during this time. In order for us to be prepared for your child, please let us know you are planning on attending! 

Barnabas Buddies Social Story

Frequently Asked Questions

They are welcome here! We strive to meet each child or student in our spaces where they are at whether they have a disability or not. Our rooms are equipped with a variety of tools, such as flexible seating, fidgets, alternative activities and low lighting, and our volunteers are empowered to adapt spaces to meet a child where they are at. 

If additional support is needed, we will visit with you and volunteers to find the tools to help your child feel loved and supported while at church. We have experience providing buddies, social stories, visual schedules, timers and more. We are always willing to be creative and collaborative. 

We believe every single one of us has been made in the image of Jesus and each person deserves to be treated as such. When moments of overstimulation or crisis occurs, our primary goal is to treat the person with dignity and give them space to feel safe again. 

In children's ministry:
      • When possible and appropriate, we will take a child to another space to allow for time to regulate. We have a sensory room, motor space and other rooms available to use during the Bible class time. 
      •  A familiar volunteer will stay with the child and provide support as needed. We will contact the parent if the need presents itself. 
      • The child is welcome to return to their group whenever they are ready! Our volunteers will help bridge social connections as needed. 

In student ministry:

      • We have two separate sensory spaces we can utilize as calm down rooms in the event that a student needs a quiet moment. Most of the time our students choose to self-select back into the group after a few minutes to regulate. 

Having safe and prepared volunteers is important to us. All volunteers are required to pass a background check and complete a child abuse awareness training.  

Many of our student and adult volunteers have gone to Camp Barnabas, a summer camp for individuals with disabilities, and have experience building relationships with people from all walks of life. We also have volunteers who have helpful experience in their careers such as teaching, speech pathology and psychology. We are thankful for their expertise in equipping the rest of our volunteer team!

Presently, we do not have a specific training program for our volunteers. 

We know stepping into a new place can be challenging and takes courage. We would love to talk to you before your first visit to help make your Sunday easier. Please fill out the form and/or send us an email. One of our ministers will follow up with you.  

Fill Out This Form
email us

We'd be happy to set up a time for a tour or find a way for you and your child to see the spaces before joining us on a Sunday morning. 

Email Us

Highland is a big building with many entrances. There are visitor parking spots on each side of our building. The guest parking with the shortest walk from the car to the door is located on the south side of the building. 

Once you enter the building, one of our greeters will be happy to point you in the right direction. Preschool and Elementary rooms are located on the north side of the building. Nursery rooms are located on the south side of the building. Student Ministry rooms are located on the second floor near the elevator.  Click the button below to see a map of Highland. 

Campus Map

Before eligible to volunteer with minors, all potential volunteers are background checked and complete a child abuse awareness training. All of our classrooms and sensory spaces have cameras that are continuously recording both audio and visual.

All classrooms have at least two adults, but most classes have additional adult or student volunteers. In children's ministry spaces and Barnabas Buddies, children wear name tags. Their name tag contains any allergies and an emergency contact number in case we needed to get in contact with you quickly. 

For additional information about safety in our spaces, please email us. 

Email Us

You're right. The majority of our supports are aimed at children and students due to the current needs of our community. However, we do have experience scaffolding participation of adults with a wide variety of support needs. If your family member is older than 18 years old, we would love to talk to you about what that could look like. 

Email Us