Collaborative Partners Blog Series: PURE Ministries

In April and May we are going to introduce several of our very experienced collaborative partners in our community who have come alongside us, our friends, their families and churches to train toward excellent inclusion of our friends and their families. You as Young Life staff and volunteers being aware of these key co-laborers is quite critical for excellence in transition. Historically, as you will read in these blogs, our community "partners” have been the link not just for our Capernaum friends but also for their family members.

We often lead with I Corinthians 12:4-11 as a call toward inclusion of our friends into the body of Christ. What if we read I Corinthians 12:4-11 through the lens of being inclusive of excellent community co-laborers to move us all toward the fullness of the body of Christ? What kind of vision could this give your area? Imagine organizations working together and our friends thriving.

We invite you to introduce yourself to the staff of these ministries if they have a location in your area, and begin to set up potential ways to collaborate as you continue to develop your transition plan with your friends. Have questions? Contact your Capernaum Divisional Coordinator for additional information.

PURE Ministries

Contributor: David Glover

PURE Ministries began in 2003 with the primary purpose of awakening and encouraging churches in America to intentionally reach out to minister both to and with PURE people and their families in the Body of Christ. It was born out of the experiences of David Glover and his family through the life of their grandson, Zach. The ministry has impacted many Christians with the simple message that families affected by special needs need the church and, conversely, the church is missing out on great blessings when families affected by disability are not part of the body. A major thrust of PURE Ministries is to change the way our culture views and interacts with people affected by disabilities. Because, literally, all terms or names for these precious people are negative and non-edifying, PURE Ministries has introduced instead the use of the term “PURE”, a more scriptural and encouraging descriptor to be used instead:

        Perfectly created by a loving, sovereign God; designed for His purposes

Unique in his or her own gift, blessings, talents, desires, and contributions

Receptive and responsive to our communication, touch, and acts of love

Eternal: there are no disabled souls

In the effort to accomplish the ministry’s purposes, PURE Ministries has developed and offers a number of helpful resources. These resources are primarily for churches, but they can be used by other Christian organizations as well. Most all of PURE Ministries resources come as benefits with being a member of the PURE Ministry Network. The Network is open to churches, independent ministries, and individuals directly involved with special needs ministry. There is no cost to become a member of the Network and the major resources available via the Network membership are:

PURE Ministry Network

Perhaps the most used resource available provided by PURE Ministries is access to the PURE Ministry Network database. Both churches and organizations can be members of this Network database. Since contact information, status of ministry, and geographic location are included, the database can be searched by other interested churches to find and begin dialogue with churches that meet their defined criteria (for instance, location, size of church, experience in ministry, etc.). Having knowledge about these similar churches, the Network can be used to help churches beginning ministry learn from other churches who have gained valuable experience and are further “down the road” with their ministry. 

Another primary use of the Network is to allow families to locate churches and other organizations in their area that provide services. This method can be invaluable to PURE families who have moved into a new area and are looking for a church with PURE ministry in their new city.

PURE Ministry Downloadable Literature

Another major benefit to PURE Ministry Network members is free access to a variety of helpful, PURE online/printed material which includes:

PURE Ministries QuickStart Guide 

Churches of any size can use the PURE Ministries QuickStart Guide to begin reaching out to children and adults with disabilities. The Guide includes step-by-step strategies for building and/or growing a successful PURE ministry with an emphasis on respite care. Suggested resources and samples of forms are included. The QuickStart Guide can be viewed online on the PURE Ministries website or printed, if you prefer. Whether you’re praying about starting a PURE ministry in your church or expanding your current ministry, the QuickStart Guide should be a great help.

Respite Event Guides 

Churches and/or organizations offering respite care can utilize the many Respite Event Guides available. These respite event guides serve as suggested outlines for themed and seasonal respite events. Each guide is filled with crafts, games and fun activities for all ages. Just add “servants” (volunteers) and you’re ready to go!

In the desire to personally minister to churches, PURE Ministry staff are very willing and eager to come to your church or Christian organization to personally share the PURE message. A wide range of onsite ministry training programs is available as well. All onsite services, as are all resources from PURE Ministries, are always absolutely free. 

David Z. Glover

President, PURE Ministries

David leads PURE Ministries. He is married to Lee, and they reside in Dothan, Alabama. They are the parents of 3, and grandparents of 13. David is an ordained Minister, and has served as National Consultant for Disabilities Ministries for the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention. David and Lee are active members of Calvary Baptist Church in Dothan. David has formerly been instrumental in the founding and development of several technology companies. Most recently, David co-founded and has served as President and CEO of ITManna, Inc. an Atlanta based IT staffing and consulting firm. David currently serves (or has served) on the boards of directors of: ITManna; Southwest Christian Care (a hospice care facility and a medically fragile children’s respite center); Fellowship of Developmental Disabilities (a national association of disabilities ministries, homes, and organizations); and Happy Acres Mission (a missionary support organization). David is the author of “A Better Way: Where Least is Most”. David holds a Bachelor of Industrial and Systems Engineering degree from the Georgia Institute of Technology.