Key Implementation Considerations for a Lebanese Evangelical Summer Program Model for Children with Disabilities : Recommendations from Parents and Special Needs Professionals in US Church Ministries

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to suggest a summer program model for special needs children for Evangelical churches in Lebanon by determining the effective characteristics of a church ministry to children with special needs in the U.S.A. Guided by the phenomenological approach, the study examined three research questions: RQ1: What do parents perceive are the characteristics of an effective church program for special needs children? RQ2: What do teachers perceive are the characteristics of an effective church program for special needs children? RQ3: What are the recommendations as seen by parents and teachers for a summer church program for special needs children? Data was collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with six parents and two ministry teachers who were chosen as a non-probability snowball, purposive and convenient sample. Phenomenological analysis revealed five converging themes that together constitute an essence of an effective church special needs ministry: (1) Finally Welcomed – Image of God Bearers (2) Spiritual Transformation (3) Whole Family Transformation (4) Trust Based through Competence (5) Church as a Community. The findings demonstrate that effective church special needs ministry is not only an effective program but is grounded in a coherent theological anthropology, sustained by competent and Spirit-called volunteers, and realized through authentic community belonging. Recommendations derived from participant testimony and corroborated by existing literature call for intentional theological formation, volunteer training frameworks, family support structures, and organizational commitment at the pastoral and church level.