My journey this week takes me to visit a ministry for individuals with an intellectual disability, who typically, but not always, live in Mental Health group homes. Ministers Robert Rodriguez, Michael Johnson and Laura West believe it is God’s plan for these people to be part of Redwood Baptist Church. They are loved and accepted as they are.
I asked West, who teaches a Sunday school class named “Special Friends” to explain the name of her class.
“When we think of the word ‘special’ what comes to mind is something that is unusual, out of the ordinary, something striking or unique," West said. "These terms all apply to a large group of participants in our church. Since 2005, the Redwood church vans have traveled to group homes in San Marcos, Lockhart, Luling and Seguin to bring our friends to church for worship, and they enthusiastically come whenever they choose. During the 11 a.m. morning worship, we have a segment called ‘Journey Time’, led by Sister Wanda Pittman, which is an open mic for the congregation to share about their weekly walk with the Lord. During this time our ‘Special Friends’ come to the pulpit to inform folks about their needs and prayer requests. Like a cool drink of water on a hot Texas day, I am refreshed by the honest sharing these adults bring to our ‘Journey Time’ prior to the sermon," West said.
