A Note From Big Faith Resources

Did you know that despite growing awareness and strides in inclusivity, neurodiverse and developmentally disabled children—and their families—are still often excluded from full participation in church life, especially in corporate worship? In fact, nearly half of parents raising children with special needs report skipping religious activities because churches aren’t equipped to welcome them. Big Faith Resources (BFR)is working to change that.  We launched in the fall of 2024 and by Spring of 2025 the new learning lab at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Oklahoma City is up and running. We are funded by a $1.2 million grant. This initiative is designed to benefit congregations across the Synod of the Sun, which includes over 700 PC(USA) churches in Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Built on the belief that every child should be able to grow in faith and experience God's love—just as they are, the BFR learning lab is both a space for experimentation and reflection and a digital hub of accessible resources. It models innovation in sensory-friendly worship and curriculum materials, offering tools that any congregation—large or small—can adapt for their unique context. The resources are currently available at no cost to churches in the Synod of the Sun. Whether you serve in a rural chapel or a downtown sanctuary, we want to meet you where you are—and help you take the next faithful step forward. 

What’s Coming from Big Faith Resources the Learning Lab:

• Wonder Boxes: Filled with sensory-friendly supports for worship and faith formation (Launching this Fall)

• Traveling Equipment: Sensory items housed at Presbytery offices and available to borrow region-wide (Coming this Fall)

• Downloadable Resources: Worship and curriculum materials available online (Ongoing—check out what’s already posted!)

• Workshops and Webinars: Training for pastors, educators, and volunteers (Scheduled throughout the year—registration available soon)

• Five-Year Milestone Conference: Celebrating impact and sharing new insights

Your Invitation is Coming Soon

By the end of summer, churches will receive a formal invitation with details about how to sign up for Wonder Boxes, traveling kits, and training opportunities. By mid-fall, we expect the first Wonder Boxes to ship, regional equipment to be in place, and our first round of webinars to be open for registration. We also will provide a video and curriculum resource to begin conversations for church-wide use.  We are excited about the materials being developed as we work in collaboration with Oklahoma Autism Network and the Lee Mitchener Tolbert Center for Developmental Disabilities, who provide research-backed guidance and expertise.

In a nutshell: we’re here to support you. At its heart, Big Faith Resources exists to help churches become places where all children can grow in faith, worship freely, and find their place in God’s story.

To learn more and explore what is currently available, visit bigfaithresources.com.

Michelle Junkin

Pastor of Spiritual Formation

Westminster Presbyterian Church

Oklahoma City