APRIL 2026 UPDATE

Because of the generosity and faithful support of our partners, we are excited to share several meaningful updates on how Access Youth Ministry (AYM) continues to expand access, belonging, and leadership within youth ministry for teens and youth pastors with disabilities.

A NEW NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP

We are thrilled to announce that Access Youth Ministry has been named the Disability Specialist for the National Network of Youth Ministry (NNYM). This partnership is a significant milestone for our ministry and for disability inclusion in youth ministry nationwide.

Through this collaboration, AYM now has direct access to more than 5,000 youth pastors who are part of the NNYM network. Together, we will:

• Equip youth ministries to better reach and disciple teens with disabilities

• Provide free ministry and leadership coaching to youth pastors who live with disabilities or chronic illness themselves

• Help normalize disability inclusion as a vital part of healthy, effective youth ministry

To take our first steps forward, our team will be traveling to Dallas from April 6–10 to meet in person with NNYM’s leadership and staff. During this time, we’ll be sharing more about AYM’s mission, clarifying how we can best serve their network, and beginning to strategically plan how this partnership will be introduced and offered to NNYM members across the country.

We are deeply grateful for how God has opened this door—and for how your support made this opportunity possible.

SHARING & LEARNING ON A GLOBAL STAGE

Later this month, we will also be traveling to Washington, DC, from April 20–24 to participate in the Disability & the Church Conference, which will bring together 800+ attendees from 9 countries. This gathering includes pastors, theologians, disability advocates, and church leaders who are all working toward making the global Church more accessible and inclusive.

We’re especially honored to be part of a panel presentation alongside our new friend and research partner, Dr. Erik Carter from Baylor University, as he and his team share some of the first findings from their three‑year research initiative, Bridges to Belonging. This research is already helping the church better understand what meaningful belonging looks like for disabled teens and leaders—and how congregations can move beyond accommodation toward true inclusion.

We are looking forward to learning, collaborating, and building relationships with leaders from around the world who share this vision.