Backgrounder-Overview
Abilities Ministries
A place for everyone
Abilities Ministries International
A place for everyone
A fully inclusive worship experience for people of all abilities
Table of Content
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Our History, Vision and Mission
Our Unique History
The concept of an Abilities Church was inspired by the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, the Honorable David C. Onley and evolved from The Mix Community Club in 2009. The Abilities Church developed out of the need to give people with disabilities an equal opportunity to participate within the whole community and church. For the first time in our recent history people with disabilities are being given an equal place of importance within the church as they equally participate in Christian worship and ministry.
In 2011 the main campus of the Abilities Church integrated with LivingHope Christian Church and became an official ministry of this church changing its name to Abilities Ministry Toronto (AMT). There are several locations or campuses of the Abilities Ministry of which AMT is the main campus. Abilities Ministries are not separate congregations or special needs ministries but rather inclusion ministries that operate as a fully integrate part with the regular worship services of mainstream churches.
Abilities Ministries International (AMI) is an inter-denominational ministry that supports churches worldwide in developing Abilities Ministries. AMI also participates and facilitates annual inclusion presentations, conferences, workshops and concerts.
Our Vision
Our Vision is to follow the example and mandate of Christ in giving people with disabilities a priority within the church today in order to fully experience the presence and power of God through a church that finds its strength through its weaknesses by honouring the least among us as the greatest in God's Kingdom.
Our Mission
1. To equip and support the church in becoming equally inclusive towards people with disabilities through the development of Abilities Ministries which operate as a fully integrated part with the regular worship services of mainstream churches.
2. To educate and strengthen the church and community through workshops, conference and events based on inclusion as a human right, Biblical mandate and spiritual priority.
3. To encourage and serve the disabled community by giving people with disabilities an equal opportunity to worship and minister within the church.
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The Biblical Basis for an Abilities Ministry
God’s presence, power and purposes are fully revealed through our human weaknesses, challenges and disabilities and not through our human strength or excellence. God used people with disabilities to:
1. Authenticate Jesus’ earthly ministry. Matthew 11:1-5;11
2. Accomplish God's Works. John 9:1-41; John 6:29
3. Affirm the Kingdom of God and Church.Luke 14:12, 21; Matt 4:23-25; 15:30-32: 1 Cor 6:4; 12:24
There are over 12 well known Biblical characters which God used to accomplish his purposes, includingMoses, Sampson, Jacob, Ehud, Mephibosheth, Jeroboam, Naaman, King Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, O/T disabled Priest, Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus and the Apostle Paul. Disability theologians have estimated that 70% of the Bible is dedicated to disability related issues and we learn from Jesus’ earthly ministry how He gave people with disabilities a priority within God’s Kingdom by healing over 26 different people with disability related conditions or illnesses. Jesus taught us to honour the least among us as the greatest in God’s Kingdom. Matt 11:5,11; 25:40, 45; 1 Cor 6:4; 12;12-24
A PRIORITY MINISTRY
1. Every area of our life, society and church is touched by disabilities as every person will be affected by either visible or invisible disabilities in their life time.
2. Jesus’ life, ministry and teachings demonstrates that inclusion is not a personal vision or calling for some people but rather a universal mandate, social focus and spiritual priority for the whole church and community.
3. God always uses the weak to lead and teach the so called strong.
4. The Bible commands us to invite and bring people with disabilities to all our social events and gatherings.
5. Inclusion is a human right and a Biblical mandate that demands we treat all people equally within the church and community.
BENEFITS OF AN ABILITIES MINISTRY FOR YOUR CHURCH & COMMUNITY
3 physical benefits
1. The first self-sustained and self-sufficient local church inclusion ministry
2. Your Abilities Ministry leadership team can include your regular church greeters
3. AMI provides you with free ongoing logistical and promotional support
3 spiritual benefits
1. Your Abilities ministry will inspire people to believe in Jesus
2. Your Abilities Ministry will strengthen the spiritual growth and discipleship of your church
3. Your Abilities Ministry will authenticate the mission of the church
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Structural Diagram
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Abilities Ministries Overview
Abilities Ministries International
- Supporting churches in starting up Abilities Ministries
- Facilitating Abilities presentations, workshops, conferences and concerts
- Participation in annual community and faith based events, fairs and festivals
- Public relations and promotions through Media and Press Interviews
- Administration, Partnerships and Networking
Abilities Ministry Campuses
1. Providing step by step support in the development of Abilities Ministries within the whole Church
2. Providing ongoing logistical and promotional to local churches for their Abilities Ministries
3. Supporting the development of community and faith based programs and events at each Abilities Ministry Campus through ongoing partnerships
Annual Inclusion Events
The Abilities Ministries participates in several annual inclusion events through speaking engagements, planning and promotions. The vision of our local inclusion events is to bring the community and church together through the mandate of Inclusion. Our mission is to:
1. Cultivate nationalawareness towards inclusion by supporting the community and church to become more inclusive towards people with disabilitiesby networking and partnering together with community and faith based organizations that are making a social difference
2. Break down human or man made barriers that divide the community, church and other faith groups by building bridges of understanding, diversity, respect and unity through the mandate of inclusion
3. Promote the joint and diverse initiatives of the community and church for inclusion, which include strengthening the evangelism, missions and discipleship of the church.
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Leadership and Volunteering
Leadership Team
- Jaime Castro- Founder and President, Abilities Ministries International
-Administration
-Public relations and promotions
-Logistical support for developing Abilities Ministries
-Participation in workshops and conferences
- Coordination of mobile events and concerts
- Robert Gagnon- Senior Local Director
-Represent ministry at community fairs and events
-Participation in annual disability related conferences
-Support local and mobile ministry presentations and concerts
- Scott Farraway- Senior Mobile Director
-Public relations and promotions
-Logistical support for developing Abilities Ministries
-Participation in ministry workshops and conferences
- Coordinates local and mobile inclusion events or concerts
-Leads Abilities Worship Team
Volunteering Opportunities
Volunteering positions are available through Abilities Ministries International (AMI), Our Annual
Inclusion Events, or at one of our Abilities Ministry Campuses. All volunteer positions at a local
church campus will be administered by the sponsoring church and not AMI
Abilities Ministries International
Administration Support
Community Representatives
Conference speakers and worship leaders
Abilities Ministry Campuses
Worship team members
Scriptural reading or spoken word
Greeters and ushers
Information or refreshment attendants
Community promotions
Drivers- pick-up and drop-off
Set up and clean up
Annual Inclusion Events
Event planning
Community Promotions
Networking & Partnerships
Sponsorships and Fundraising
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Testimonials
"Pastor Rick and we loved reading about the wonderful experience you had in building your church. We really appreciate the way you have positioned your church to include people with various disabilities in ministry positions. What better way could you find than having people concentrate on others instead of dwelling on their own problems. This is very healing and comforting... Our Saddleback Prayer Team will continue to pray that your church will keep on growing as you spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God is blessing you for the good work you are doing..."
In His name,
Jim and Joan Dernocoeur
Assistants to Pastor Rick Warren
Saddleback Church
"I admire your goal to maintain balance between disabled and non-disabled people – it means that yours is truly a church that’s all about inclusion, not one where disabled people are “misfits” who can’t attend a “regular” church".
Carina Kwok
Communications Advisor
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada
"I am excited about the start and vision for growth of this much needed church opportunity. It is a sacred space that embraces and makes room for ability rather than accommodating and making special exceptions for disability. Here, disability is not a barrier, it is a pathway into the presence of God. It is about ministering with and to the whole community of God. It's not about 'your disabled and I'm not', it is all about dwelling and communing together in the Imago Dei. All have a place to belong, participate, be ministered too, and to minister - it is living Luke 4:18-21".
Neil Cudney
Director of Pastoral Ministries
Christian Horizons
"This year I was introduced to a church in Toronto called the Abilities Church. They are impressive. Their staff and vision are excellent, and have all levels of ability. They model inclusion and invitation to all people. The Abilities Church’s goal is to have 50% of their participants having a disability. Their services are lively and show a part of the spirit of Christ that many churches miss. If you are in Toronto on a Sunday you should attend this church..."
Ed Epp
Executive Director
CBM Canada
"Jaime Castro and his leadership team from Abilities Church participated in a weekend conference we hosted here at Centre Street Church, No Limbs To No Limits, as feature speakers, along with Nick Vujicic, Justin Hines and other active leaders in the disabilities community. We are very grateful for their inspiring message of community inclusion, self-advocacy and equal opportunity and their faithful witness as a church".
Dallas Frank
Lead Pastor/Special Needs Ministry
Centre Street Church, Calgary Alberta
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Share the Vision
Start your Abilities Ministry Today:
1. Share the Abilities vision with your pastor and church….
2. Book an Abilities Presentation for your congregation
3. Approve and start developing your Abilities Ministry
Book the Abilities team for the following venues:
1. Churches, Christian schools or other ministries
2. Community organizations or charities………..
3. High Schools, colleges or universities………..
You can book several mobile services:
1. Abilities Worship Services or Concerts
2. Introduction Ministry Presentations….
3. Workshops and Conferences…………
All our services are facilitated by an integrated ministry team of people with and without
visible disabilities. E-mail us at: for booking information.
The Abilities Ministries has been featured in the following media organizations
Present and Past Sponsors
Abilities Ministries
c/o LivingHope Christian Church
1100 Bellamy Rd N, Scarborough, ON. Canada M1H 1H2
Tel: 647-393-5721 E-mail:
The first fully inclusive worship experience for people of all abilities