In Luke 19, we find a story about a man named Zacchaeus who is described as “short in stature.” The word “stature” in this text is ἡλικία (hēlikia) and literally means “adultness of mind.” (1) The phrase “short in stature,” therefore, is a Greco-Roman way to describe what some in our modern, Western society would consider “special needs” or “learning differences.”

And in this famous story, Jesus makes it abundantly clear that He has a purpose and plan for Zacchaeus — that part of His own purpose and plan of redemption requires and necessitates Zacchaeus’ help — for Jesus said he “must” stay with him and not simply “want”. In the same way, we are fully convinced that women and men with special abilities must be a part of our church’s membership, leadership, and mission.

For this reason, we launched a ministry called “Kalos” after the Biblical Greek word for “good” and “beautiful.” As an integral part of our identity as a church, Kalos exists to celebrate the goodness of God and the beauty of His people.

(1) Bullinger, Rev. Ethelbert W., A Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament