making space for  all children
in worship

A New Initiative from

Made possible through a generous $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., Room on Our Pew equips churches to welcome children with disabilities into corporate worship through targeted training, cohort learning, and adapted resources.


“Is there room on your pews for all children, especially those with disabilities?”

Our goal is to equip your church to respond with a resounding, “Yes!”

Our Program

We teach you how to welcome
children with disabilities and their families through 

Targeted
Training

In January 2026 we will welcome 25 churches per year into an 18-month cohort program consisting of a one-year training intensive to be followed by a six-month implementation period.

Training topics include supporting children with autism, inclusive prayer and worship practices, parental engagement, and much more! 

Cohort Learning & Small Groups

Participating churches will be asked to identify a team of at least three core members to participate in the program. Churches will be assigned to small groups of 5-7 churches based on shared interests and needs. Small groups will meet virtually each month with program staff to discuss training topics and applications. Cohort churches are asked to commit to at least one core member attending each small group.


Retreat & Exclusive Resources

Although most of the training will occur virtually, we are excited to offer an annual retreat to our cohort churches. Registration for one core team member per church is included in the cohort fee. Churches may purchase additional retreat registrations at a subsidized rate.

Cohort churches will also receive a Room on Our Pew Starter Kit and an exclusive sensory support pack.
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Applications are open! Priority deadline is August 1.

The registration investment for the first Room on Our Pew cohort is $500 per church.
This fee includes all trainings, a Room on Our Pew toolkit, an exclusive sensory support pack, and retreat registration for one person from your church (with the option to purchase additional discounted registrations). We are grateful to offer this first-year cohort at a significantly subsidized rate, made possible by the generous support of Lilly Endowment Inc. Please note that the subsidy will decrease in future years.

Please return your completed application to roomonourpew@engagingdisability.org.

Our Resources

We give you the resources you need to disciple
children with disabilities, including 

Interactive Toolkits

Over the next five years we will release yearly toolkits that reflecting the essential elements of a Reformed worship service. 
Here's a sneak peek of our timeline!
  • 2025: Room on Our Pew Starter Kit
  • 2026: Simply Worship Toolkit
  • 2027: Simply Prayer Toolkit
  • 2028: Simply Sermons Toolkit
  • 2029: Simply Sacraments Toolkit

Inclusive Books

The Worship With Us book collection will feature photographs from congregations who have taken steps to include children of all abilities in their corporate prayer and worship services. The collection will include:
  • a series of five board books
  • an elementary-age children’s book
  • a handbook book for parents, ministry leaders, and congregants

Digital Downloads

Engaging Disability has a long history of publishing high-quality adapted resources in both digital and print formats through our publishing branch, Simply the Gospel. We are excited to expand our free resource library to include additional supports for corporate prayer and worship.

Partner With Us

We held info sessions for interested churches in March. You can view the recorded session below.

Applications are open!


Have a question?


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Participate in the
Worship With Us Book Project

The Worship With Us book collection will feature photographs from congregations who have taken steps to include children of all abilities in their corporate prayer and worship services. If you are interested in partnering with us please reach out through the button below!

News

Press Release

NOVEMBER 1, 2024- Engaging Disability With The Gospel has received a $1.25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to establish Room on Our Pew: Making Space for All Children in Worship. This new program will equip churches to . . .