Special Needs

Our mission is to lovingly share Christ with individuals with special needs of all ages and help them become all God has created them to be. We want to equip them to follow Jesus and empower them to serve within the church body as we all grow together in faith.

Weekend Services

Volunteers provide a safe and loving atmosphere for children and adults with special needs to learn and experience the love of Jesus Christ. Highlands Special Needs Ministry team is available during our Thursdays at 6:45pm and Sundays at 9:00 and 10:45am service times.

Parent Connect Group

First Sunday of Each Month at 10:45am in the Highlands Office
You are invited to join our Parent Connect group.  This is a wonderful opportunity for parents and caregivers to come together and share the joys and challenges of the special needs journey. We also have the opportunity to support each other and share resources.  The special needs classroom and Highlands Kids classes are open to provide care for your students.

Cowboy Day Camp

April 6th | 2:00-7:30pm
We're inviting our friends with Special Needs to Reigning Grace Ranch in Rio Verde for a day full of horseback riding, cowboy activities, dinner, songs around the campfire. Open to ages 14+. The cost is $35 (full and partial scholarships are available - contact  for details).

Register

VOLUNTEER: If you'd like to help us provide an awesome Cowboy Camp experience for our friends with special needs, sign up to volunteer for the day! Volunteers will be assisting our campers with their experiences and helping them transition through activities.

Register to Volunteer

Guys & Dolls Jr

A musical production featuring teens & adults with disabilities
Auditions April 3rd
Performances August 16-17

Shine Theatre presents a musical comedy classic about rolling the dice and falling in love under the lights of Broadway! This production will feature a cast made up of teens and adults with disabilities, facilitated by a talented team of staff and personal coaches. If cast, the cost to participate is $250 (full and partial scholarships are available - email  for details).

Register to Audition

Night to Shine Photos

We had an amazing night on February 9th celebrating our friends with special needs at Night to Shine, sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation. THANK YOU to all who attend as guests, as well as to all our amazing volunteers who served. You can find albums of all our official photos below:

Biblical Support Group for Individuals with Physical Disabilities

Thursdays at 5:00-6:30pm
This group lead by Brooke Brown will provide a safe place for adults with physical disabilities to find emotional support, be encouraged in their daily challenges, and study the Bible as we help to build each other’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Join us afterwards at 6:45pm for Highlands Weekend Service.

Register

New Family Form

New to Highlands? Complete our NEW FAMILY FORM to help us make your family member with special needs time at Highlands awesome and safe.

Family Resource Guide

Our Family Resource Guide was compiled by our entire Family Ministry team to help your family grow together in faith. These resources include books, podcasts, videos, games and more - all designed to help you have faith-filled conversations and interactions throughout your week.

Download Family Resource Guide

Respite

Offered quarterly, respite is an opportunity for parents to bring their children with special needs to Highlands for a fun-filled event so parents can have an evening to themselves. Reservations are required - contact  .      

Highlands is an Irresistible Church

Our partners at Joni & Friends of Arizona define an irresistible church as an authentic community built on the hope of Christ that compels people affected by disability to fully belong. If you have a special need or care for someone who does, come find out why the irresistible Special Needs ministry of Highlands can make a life-changing difference! 

Our Staff


Missy Farrington | Minister of Special Needs

Missy has a Master's Degree in Special Education and a certificate in Disability Ministry. 

We have many other professionals volunteering in our ministry as well. Our loving volunteers are trained by Missy and other special education professionals to provide the highest quality experience for our community to learn about Jesus and grow in faith together.