Children, adults and families impacted by disabilities have much to contribute to the body of Christ, yet they are much less likely to attend church than those without disabilities. Local churches must be intentional about welcoming and fostering the unique gifts of each member.
Hephzibah62:4 has chosen the Disability & the Church (DATC) conference as an annual gathering place for Wesleyan pastors, church staff, lay leaders, caregivers/parents, students and advocates to be inspired, encouraged and gain insight into best practices in caring for vulnerable children and families impacted by special needs, while building connections within our Hephzibah62:4 collaborative community. The next DATC conference will take place March 9-11, 2027 in Houston, Texas at Houston’s First Baptist Church.
Make plans to attend DATC 2027 with the Hephzibah62:4 community!
STEP 1: Do you qualify for a grant?
REGISTERED HEPHZIBAH62:4 CHURCHES (Momentum Builder and Momentum Multiplier): This year we are offering up to two, $600/person grants for qualifying participants. Check our Hephzibah62:4 Benefits to see if you qualify. NOTE: Hephzibah62:4 Churches may choose to use conference grants for one conference annually. Conference choices for this grant category include DATC and CAFO Summit. Contact us at info@hephzibah.org if you’re not sure.
OTHER WESLEYAN CHURCHES WITHIN THE U.S. AND CANADA: If you are a staff member or key volunteer in a Wesleyan church with a special interest in special needs and mental health ministry but your church is not yet registered as a Hephzibah62:4 Church, you may request a grant to reimburse your DATC conference registration fee only.
STEP 2: Request your grant/s
Grant seekers, grant request forms will be found here when available.
STEP 3: Register for the conference and plan your trip
- WATCH FOR REGISTRATION information here as it becomes available.
- WATCH FOR HEPHZIBAH62:4 GROUP HOTEL information here as it becomes available.
STEP 4: Complete a brief survey about your conference experience. We will send this via email after the conference.
STEP 5: If approved for a Hephzibah62:4 Conference Grant, submit an expense report along with your receipts for reimbursement. You can find the reimbursement guidelines along with our expense report template here.
DATC Conference made such an impact on me personally, as a leader, and in my ministry.
As a pastor and a foster mom of kids with special needs, I wanted more to offer my children in ministry. Inclusion is very important to me. I really didn’t know how to start as the awareness of people with special needs is only now starting to grow here on the island of Newfoundland. After attending the conference, I quickly realized that I was not alone and that many churches out there already started down the path I wanted to go. The conference was full of information in all areas and I made some beautiful friendships in the process. – Rev. Jennifer White (far right)