Bridging the Gap
          
            2025 Year in Review
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          53m
        
      
    Led by Kris Mitchell, a licensed clinical family therapist, this workshop equips church leaders to better understand and support neurodivergent individuals in their congregations. Topics include autism, Tourette's, ADHD, sensory processing differences, pathological demand avoidance (PDA), and the role of special interests. Participants will explore how church settings may unintentionally exclude neurodiverse members and learn practical strategies for creating more inclusive, compassionate ministry. This session aims to help church leaders foster environments where all individuals can worship, serve, and belong—celebrating the full diversity of God’s people.
Kris is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 30 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families in both clinical and church settings. He currently serves as a youth pastor at his local church as well as a therapist.
Kris specializes in working with neurodiverse individuals, including those with autism, Tourette’s Syndrome, OCD, and ADHD. His clinical approach is rooted in empathy, advocacy, and collaboration, often partnering with parents, educators, and school professionals to ensure comprehensive, individualized support.
He holds degrees in Religion, Marriage & Family Therapy, and Theological Studies, and is licensed in both Missouri and Kansas. Kris is also a Certified ASD Clinical Specialist, a Certified PREPARE/ENRICH Counselor, and a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach.
Up Next in 2025 Year in Review
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  Called to Lead, Wired DifferentlyA Workshop for Understanding Neurodivergent Leadership in the Church What does it mean to be both neurodivergent and called to ministry? In this honest and insightful workshop, Pastor Jesse Briles shares his personal experience of pastoring on the autism spectrum—offering a window into the joys,... 
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  Can I Still Pray if I Can't SpeakHow worship and prayer can be accessible to All God’s Children. We often define prayer as “talking to God.” But what does this definition mean for nonspeakers? What other language or practices might create barriers to inclusion in the life of our churches for autistic, neurodiverse or disabled i... 
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  Disability Ministry and Adapted Churc...Church is for everyone, but not all church policies work for everyone. In this workshop we will learn how to look at your church policies through the lens of disability, what policies most commonly need to be adapted (or added), and how to create policies that work for families and for the church... 
 
 
           
          