[Faith-Talk] Special Touch Ministries Information

[Linda Mentink]

Dear Friend,
Over the last few months we have been: moving 
equipment from Missouri to Wisconsin, hiring an 
administrator to develop services for the blind, 
planning for the new space for the ministry to 
function and raising funds to complete the God ordained mission.
We are honored, blessed, and excited to have the 
opportunity to serve you. The following 
information is a list and explanation of our current services.


God's Word for Today!

Did you know that you can hear the daily 
devotional God's Word for Today? That's right! We 
are recording it daily on a phone line for you to 
be able to call in and hear it. God's Word for 
Today is a publication from Gospel Publishing 
House and we pray that it will help you grow in 
Christ. 
Call 715-258-2713 and choose option 7.


Special Touch Ministry Online Community

The STM Online Community is a safe place where 
individuals impacted by disability or sight loss 
can share their concerns, struggles, pain and 
triumphs, encourage each other, receive prayer 
and gain spiritual insights. Regular features of 
meetings are: discussions on topics of interest 
to those who live with disability, Bible studies, 
and prayer. The group is designed for those with 
physical disabilities and sight loss, but we 
welcome anyone who would like to be a part of 
these discussions. The community meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month at
12:00 PM CST. Access is available online through 
the Zoom Video Conferencing app as well as by 
phone. To access by phone dial 646-558-8656 and 
enter the meeting ID 36118895 followed by the 
pound sign when prompted using your dial pad. For 
more information or directions to join by Zoom 
email contact: 
<mailto:loribullington.specialtouch at gmail.com>loribullington.specialtouch at gmail.com 



Special Touch Summer Get Away

Summer Get Away is a five-day, in residence, 
camp-style retreat for children and adults with 
intellectual and/or physical disabilities to 
vacation and find fellowship with others in a 
Christian atmosphere. Professional medical staff 
and compassionate caregivers are provided, with a 
low staff to guest ratio. Special care has been 
given to select facilities that will best fit the 
special needs of our guests. The Get Away has 
functionally appropriate programming for people 
with physical and/or intellectual 
disabilities.  Each location has various 
activities such as: swimming, fishing, crafts, 
boat rides, sports, games, hayrides, bonfires, 
petting zoos, and more. Summer Get Away is 
designed for 10 and up.  Children under 10 are 
welcome to attend with their parent or guardian. 
Families are also welcome with discounts 
available when staying together. Tuitions are 
lower than the national average for similar 
programs. Registration is available at 
<http://www.specialtouch.org/getaways>www.specialtouch.org/getaways 
Come and join us!
Summer Get Aways for 2020 in-person have been 
canceled – virtual Get Aways may be available.


Special Touch Ministry Chapters of America

One of the greatest challenges for families who 
have a member with special needs is the isolation 
they feel. Special Touch Chapters address this 
problem by providing effective faith-based 
ministry to individuals who have disabilities and 
those who love and care for them by providing 
local, regular meetings.. The benefits of joining 
a chapter include gaining new perspectives on how 
to share your faith, connect with people who 
understand, help and provide encouragement, 
network with others in your area, and discover 
new opportunities for personal growth. Special 
Touch Chapters minister, mentor, disciple and 
serve people impacted by disability. Current 
locations are: Beaver Dam and Greenfield 
Wisconsin, Jacksonville and Yulee Florida, 
Northford Connecticut, Gardner Massachusetts, and 
Oro Valley Arizona. If you are interested in 
joining or starting a chapter please visit 
<http://www.specialtouch.org/chapters>www.specialtouch.org/chapters


Audio and Visual Resource Lists

We are currently working on compiling resource 
lists. These lists include:
·        Top 100 Christian books in accessible formats and where to find them
·        Online audio resources
·        Offline audio resources
·        Braille resources and more


Special Touch Disability Friendly Church Certification (DFC)

·        Do you currently attend a church that 
would like to be                     certified as Disability Friendly?
·        Do you need help finding a disability friendly church to attend?
The DFC program is designed to encourage, 
instruct, and empower churches in Disability 
Ministry. A church certified through this program 
receives access to tools, information, and 
training designed to enhance and develop the 
disability ministry within their church. Special 
Touch Disability Friendly Certified Churches are 
a safe haven to people with disabilities in their 
community. We encourage a spirit of accommodation 
through services and programs designed to meet 
the unique needs of disability – helping churches 
to let families and individuals know that THIS 
CHURCH CARES! To find a church or inquire about 
getting certified please visit 
<http://www.specialtouch.org/dfcinfo>www.specialtouch.org/dfcinfo


Radiant Life Quarterly Sunday School Curriculum

We were able to start serving this need with 
digital talking books (audio daisy book) to be 
played in the NLS player in the spring quarter of 
2020. We plan to add other materials and titles 
to quarterly orders in the future, as well as 
formats. To be sustainable, we are charging a $20 
one-time fee for access to the Radiant Life Adult 
Sunday School Curriculum, that includes 2 Digital 
Talking Book cartridges with one quarter of 
Radiant Life Sunday School Curriculum in DTB 
format on each cartridge, mailed out on a quarterly basis.


Alive in 5 Print/Braille Tool

This booklet was written by Youth Alive® 
missionaries. The booklet is one of the simplest 
ways to walk others through salvation and the 
Christian life. Featuring five easy-to-understand 
steps, the sinner's prayer and tips for 
discipleship. This tool will help you to better 
share the message of Jesus with those around you. 
The booklet has been adjusted into a large print 
and braille book format. Large print is on the 
right and Braille is on the left so the facing 
pages match and anyone can be empowered to 
share.  Currently it is offered at no cost for 
those with visual impairments and blindness, 
churches and others may receive by donation.
If you would like to stay up to date with 
information from blind services or to order 
curriculum please contact us for an application 
at: <mailto:blind at specialtouch.org>blind at specialtouch.org

With this new adventure there are going to be 
bumps along the way and things for us to learn. 
We appreciate your support as we look forward to 
continued growth.  We are anxious to connect with 
you and we’re praying for you!

Sincerely,
Nettamara Doak
Nettamara Doak, Missionary Associate
Administrator Special Touch Blind Services