Every Child Belongs

What if the greatest challenge facing people with disabilities isn't disability at all? What if it's isolation? Matt Mooney, co-founder of Ninety-Nine Balloons, believes the Church has a unique opportunity to change that story. After losing their first son, Elliott, who lived just ninety-nine days with Trisomy 18, Matt and his wife, Ginny, found themselves drawn into a community that would forever change the way they understood disability, friendship, and the Kingdom of God. Their journey eventually led them to adopt their daughter, Lena, and to launch a global movement focused on helping people move from isolation to belonging. In this conversation, Matt challenges churches to move beyond simply creating programs and instead build genuine friendships. He explains why disability isn't a problem to solve, why inclusion alone isn't enough, and how every person, regardless of ability, has gifts the Church desperately needs. Through personal stories, practical wisdom, and deep theological insight, this episode invites us to become the kind of community where no one has to experience life alone. "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

When Nadia Ibrahim Mossburg was growing up with cerebral palsy, she rarely saw someone like herself serving in the Church. That absence shaped her life, but it also became the foundation for her calling. As a disability rights advocate, federal policy expert, and author of Divinely Disabled, Nadia has spent decades fighting for accessibility while reminding the Church that policy alone cannot create belonging. Real community begins when hearts change and people with disabilities are recognized not as projects to serve, but as essential, "load-bearing" members of the Body of Christ. In this deeply personal conversation, Nadia shares her journey of living with cerebral palsy, wrestling with difficult questions about suffering and God's sovereignty, and discovering the freedom that comes from knowing she was intentionally created by God. Together, Kim and Nadia explore how churches can move beyond accessibility toward genuine belonging, why vulnerability matters, and what it looks like for every believer to contribute their God-given gifts. Get Nadia's book here: https://amzn.to/4gO37aW "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

When churches think about disability, many immediately ask, "Do we have enough volunteers?" Jason Le Shana believes that's the wrong first question. As a pastor, researcher at Baylor University, parent of a neurodivergent son, and someone living with a disability himself, Jason brings a unique perspective to what true belonging looks like inside the local church. Drawing from Baylor's groundbreaking national research, he explains why most pastors actually want to welcome people with disabilities but often feel overwhelmed and unequipped rather than unwilling. In this conversation, Kim and Jason explore why disability isn't a problem to solve but an ordinary part of the human experience, how churches can move beyond programs to cultures of belonging, and why listening to people's stories is the first step toward meaningful inclusion. Whether you're a pastor, ministry leader, volunteer, parent, or church member, this episode offers practical wisdom for building communities where every person is seen, valued, and invited to belong.   Learn more about Jason here: https://disability.research.baylor.edu/person/jason-le-shana   "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

When Amy Julia Becker's daughter Penny was born with Down syndrome, everything she imagined about the future suddenly changed. Fear, grief, uncertainty, and love all arrived at once. In this conversation, Amy Julia shares how that unexpected diagnosis reshaped not only her understanding of disability, but also her understanding of God, belonging, friendship, and what it truly means to live a meaningful life. Together, Kim and Amy Julia discuss how churches can become places where people with disabilities are genuinely known, why friendship matters more than inclusion alone, and how every child brings unique gifts to the world. They also explore helping children discover their hopes and dreams, preparing for adulthood, and why curiosity is one of the greatest gifts we can offer. Whether you're a parent, pastor, educator, ministry leader, or simply want to better understand disability and belonging, this conversation offers practical wisdom, deep encouragement, and a fresh vision for seeing every person through the eyes of love. Find Amy Julia Becker here: https://amyjuliabecker.com/ "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.

What if one of the largest unreached people groups in your community is hiding in plain sight? In this episode of Every Child Belongs, Kim Botto sits down with disability advocate, ministry leader, and educator Abby Howard. After a rare spinal cord stroke at age 19 left her paralyzed from the chest down, Abby's life changed overnight. What began as a devastating medical crisis eventually became a calling to help churches make the Gospel accessible to people with disabilities and their families. Today, Abby serves as a disability ministry coordinator, special education graduate, and founder of The Accessible Gospel, where she equips churches with practical tools to welcome and disciple people with disabilities. Through personal stories, ministry experience, and a deep passion for the Great Commission, Abby challenges churches to rethink what belonging truly means. Together, Kim and Abby discuss invisible disabilities, common misconceptions about disability ministry, why so many families have left churches, and how simple accommodations can create life-changing opportunities for children and adults to experience the love of Christ. Abby also shares her own journey of learning to be honest about her disability and allowing others to help carry her burdens. Whether you're a parent, pastor, volunteer, educator, or church leader, this conversation will encourage you to see disability ministry not as a specialized program, but as an essential part of making disciples and building a church where every person belongs. "Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely" by Kim Botto https://amzn.to/3Utuw6V (affiliate links) Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.