Pastors are often expected to be resilient, spiritually strong, and emotionally steady—especially in the face of crisis. But what happens when church leaders themselves are carrying unresolved trauma from their own past?

In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Dr. Steve Grcevich sits down with counselor and researcher Jeremy Smith to explore the often-unspoken reality of trauma in pastors’ lives and why addressing it matters for the health of the Church. This conversation moves beyond theory and into lived experience, research, and gospel-centered hope, offering church leaders permission to name what they carry and practical wisdom for cultivating resilient, healthy ministry.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

As we end one year and look forward to the next, we can praise God for all He’s done in 2025. In this episode, Sandra Peoples shares ten wins from the disability ministry movement. She also covers five things she’s looking forward to in 2026.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

Links:

• Joni & Friends released an updated version of Beyond Suffering
• Awe & Wonder released a salvation resource kit
• Key’s YouTube page
• review of Accessible Church for Christianity Today
• Engaging Disability with the Gospel is launching Beyond the Pew
• Letters to Lindsey: Seeing Your Child’s Autism through a Gospel Lens
• Raising Autistic Disciples on Instagram

In this episode of the Key Ministry podcast, join Dr. Chris Hulshof as he reflects on one of the lesser-known yet deeply meaningful names of Jesus found in Luke 2: The Consolation of Israel.”

Drawing from Simeon’s encounter with the infant Christ, this conversation explores how Jesus is not a consolation prize for a broken world, but God’s personal comfort given to His people. For families and individuals impacted by disability, this name of Jesus offers real hope, belonging, and rest during the Christmas season and beyond.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

What helps vulnerable kids truly heal and thrive—especially children navigating disability, trauma, foster care, or adoption?

In this conversation, Dr. Steve Grcevich sits down with Rachel Medefind, Director of the

Institute for Family Centered Healing and Health at the Christian Alliance for Orphans (CAFO), to explore how God uses loving families, local churches, and simple daily practices to foster whole-person health. Drawing from her own story, her work at CAFO, and current research, Rachel offers deeply hopeful, gospel-rooted encouragement for parents, foster and adoptive families, and church leaders who want to walk faithfully with vulnerable kids.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

Sandra talks with Tammy Dunkum about how her church shares the gospel with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and disciples both participants and families over time. Tammy shares practical classroom strategies, sensory-aware gospel conversations, and stories of God’s work—from a first grader learning who Jesus is to a sensory-friendly VBS that reached unchurched families.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, Dr. Chris Hulshof invites us into Mark 3 and the healing of the man with the withered hand. As Jesus confronts religious leaders with “calloused hearts,” we’re challenged to consider where our own hearts may have grown hard—especially in how we see, serve, and welcome people with disabilities in the life of the church. This is a gospel-centered call to trade systems, silence, and self-protection for love, mercy, and faithful service.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

In this episode of Key Ministry: The Podcast, host Dr. Steve Grcevich welcomes

Dr. Mark Mayfield—pastor, counselor, professor, and author of The Mental Health Handbook for Ministry. Together they explore how churches of every size can care well for individuals and families facing mental health challenges, develop a biblical theology of suffering, and build trusted pathways to professional support—all while holding fast to the hope of the gospel.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.

What does it look like to support neurodiverse teens so they can truly belong, grow, and thrive in your youth ministry? In this episode of Key Ministry the Podcast, Sandra Peoples shares practical guidance shaped by both ministry experience and life as a mom to two neurodiverse teenagers. She explains common challenges neurodiverse students may face at church, outlines inclusion models that help them hear and respond to the gospel, and reminds us that their identity is ultimately found in Christ—full of value, purpose, and dignity. Also, listen for Ten Tips for Supporting Neurodiverse Teens in Your Student Ministry.

Visit KeyMinistry.org/Podcast for show notes.