PALATKA, Fla. — An estimated 2.9 million people are affected by disability, and 15% of the state’s children live with a disability. Yet only a small fraction are reached with the Gospel. 

“Only 5 to 10 percent of the world’s disabled are effectively reached with the gospel, making the disability community one of the largest unreached — some say under-reached — hidden people groups in the world,” said Joni Eareckson Tada, founder of Joni and Friends. 

At First Baptist Church of Palatka, Pastor Ron Smith and his wife, Christa, are working to change that. Their journey into disability ministry began with their son Ryan, who was born with CHARGE syndrome and is profoundly deaf. Christa learned American Sign Language to communicate with him, leading to a lifelong commitment to helping churches welcome and disciple families affected by disabilities. 

Over the years, she has launched after-school programs, served as an ASL interpreter at Lifeway Women’s events, managed disability initiatives with the Tim Tebow Foundation, and now serves Florida families through Joni and Friends. She combines personal experience with professional expertise to help churches develop meaningful inclusion strategies. Christa also serves on the Southern Baptist Disability Ministry Task Force, appointed by the Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee. 

In 2023, First Baptist partnered with Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, a historically Black congregation, to participate in disability-inclusion training through Joni and Friends. The cross-cultural collaboration allowed the churches to serve what they describe as a “third culture” — the disability community — by bringing together two congregations with a shared mission. The training focused on practical tools, cultural awareness and creating a sustainable culture of welcome. 

The partnership helped launch Palatka’s first Night to Shine event in 2024, a Tim Tebow Foundation program that celebrates people with disabilities while also providing support for parents and caregivers. 

Over the past two years, First Baptist has expanded accessibility through ASL-interpreted services, adaptive facilities and intentional inclusion across children’s, youth and adult ministries. Young adults are fully integrated into the college ministry and church choir, reflecting the long-term impact of the effort. 

When asked what they would share with other Florida Baptist churches, the Smiths said families affected by disability “are profoundly used by God,” and that the role of the church is “to walk alongside them, disciple them and welcome them into fellowship.” 

“It’s worth the risk and investment, and God will bless churches that choose to prepare for and invite these families in,” they said. 

Through Joni and Friends training, Night to Shine and cross-cultural partnership, First Baptist Church of Palatka is demonstrating that disability ministry is both a mission field and a practical way to live out the Gospel while serving one of Florida’s most underserved communities. 

Editors Note: The stats in the opening sentence are based on the 2025 Able Trust Annual Survey and Florida Department of Education data.

“There is a huge need in every community for the church to embrace, serve and reach the special needs community,” said Justin Wyatt, executive pastor at Church on Bayshore in Niceville.

Seizing the opportunity to show compassion and Christ-like encouragement to the often-overlooked special needs community, Church on Bayshore gathered support from local businesses and 160 volunteers while working with the Tim Tebow Foundation to host the event.

The prom-style evening included limo rides, a red carpet, dinner, dancing, photo booths and games. Attendees, ranging in age from 14 to 70, were paired with buddies who helped them have the time of their lives.

Parents and caregivers enjoyed a hospitality room where dinner was served as they watched a livestream of the event and made meaningful connections with others in similar roles.

The following Sunday, a family who attended the event returned for worship and shared that they had not been in church in more than a decade due to uncertainties that their child’s special needs could be met.

While Church on Bayshore demonstrated to the community that it is a resource for families with special needs

children, church leaders acknowledged that the follow-up after an event like Night to Shine caused them to pause and ask the question, “How are we equipped, prepared, resourced and trained to provide ongoing ministry to families with special needs?”

Volunteers agreed that Night to Shine provided one of the most meaningful ways they had ever been able to serve and proved to be a beautiful picture of the church displaying the compassion and care of Jesus.

“We had the opportunity to show the lavish love of God to every guest throughout the whole evening, to provide a much-needed night of fun for our guests and their families, and to share the gospel,” Wyatt said.