From Welcoming to Withness: The Church Families Need (with Rebecca Wall) | Episode 15

What if the biggest barrier to disability inclusion isn’t budget, space, or staffing… but posture?In this episode of A Little Extra Love, Rachael sits down with Rebecca Wall, Executive Director of With Ministries, for a thoughtful and deeply pastoral conversation about what it actually costs to move from welcoming to belonging. Rebecca shares how her disability journey began with a first-grade friendship, why inclusion so often fades after childhood, and the “withness” Jesus models—slow, present, returning again and again.We talk about the pain families carry, the quiet reasons churches keep missing adults with disabilities, and the hopeful truth: the first steps toward belonging are often free… but they require humility, repentance, and proximity.If you’re a parent who’s been hurt by the church, a leader who feels overwhelmed, or a church trying to do this faithfully—this one will meet you in the tension and give you a next right step.In This Episode, We Talk AboutHow Rebecca’s journey into disability ministry began at age six through friendshipWhy inclusion becomes harder as individuals with disabilities ageThe hidden gap between children’s ministry and lifelong discipleshipThe difference between welcome and true belongingWhy posture — not programming — is the most important factor in accessibilityThe heartbreaking reality: 1 in 2 families leave churches after disability diagnosisHow pastors can begin today without new resources or staffWhat disability friendships teach us about dependence, delight, and the Kingdom of GodWhy belonging is formed through presence, not perfectionResources:Website: https://withministries.org/Equip: https://withministries.org/equip/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/withministriesorg/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/withministriesorg