Projects

Our work focuses on the ways in which religious communities can better welcome, support, and embrace people with disabilities and their families. We are equipping and supporting pastors, ministry leaders, parachurch organizations, and denominations to create accessible and inviting faith communities. We are also exploring how service systems can honor the spiritual values and priorities of people with disabilities and their families.

Current Studies and Projects:

• Accessible and Multi-Sensory Worship
  • Our team has developed academic and practical work on accessible and multi-sensory worship practices. For more information, contact Jason Le Shana.
• Baylor Religion Survey – Disability Variables
  • This project is an interdisciplinary effort to analyze data from the 2025 Baylor Religion Survey on the religious activities and beliefs of adults with disabilities. For more information, contact Erik Carter.
• Belonging Under the Bridge is a year-long ethnographic study funded by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship. The research was conducted by teacher-scholar Melody V. Escobar, Ph.D., and research assistant Caroline Reed, M.A., through the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing at Baylor University. It took place from July 2024 to August 2025 and explored the phenomenon of belonging within the setting of an interdenominational church, Church Under the Bridge (CUB). The church has worshiped beneath an Interstate Highway in Waco, Texas, for three decades under the pastoral leadership of Jimmy and Janet Dorrell.
• Bridges to Belonging: Accessible Ministry with Youth and Young Adults
  • This five-year project—funded by Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Thriving Congregations Initiative—is helping congregations embrace young people who have disabilities, mental health challenges, and chronic illnesses. It is a unique collaboration among George W. Truett Theological Seminary, the Center for Church and Community Impact, and the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing. For more information, contact Elyse McMullen.
• Church Stories: Learning from Parents of Children and Youth with Disabilities
  • This study focuses on the church experiences and insights of families impacted by disability. Based on what we learn, we will create new resources that churches and parents can use to help young people with developmental disabilities grow in their faith.
• Church Transformation and Disability
  • We are analyzing data from community conversations with ministry leaders, people with disabilities, and pastors to better understand the processes by which churches adopt changes that create belonging for people with disabilities. For more information, contact Jason Le Shana.
• Disability and the Church Study
  • This large national study explores the disability-related ministry practices, beliefs, and experiences of pastors, youth ministers, and children’s ministers. For more information, contact Jason Le Shana.
• Disability and Church Websites Study
  • This pilot study examines the ways church websites talk about disability, and explores potential best practices for creating an inclusive online web presence. For more information, contact Emily Frake.
• Disability, Religion, and Spirituality Database
  • This searchable collection of journal articles, books, and other resources brings together diverse information related to religion and spirituality.
• Faith and Disability: National Pastors Survey
  • Through this large national survey, we are investigating the theology and church practices of pastors as they minister amongst people with disabilities. This partnership between the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing and the BRIGHTS Center is made possible by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. For more information, contact Jason Le Shana.
• National Study of Disability and Ministry
  • This research project explores the current landscape of disability and ministry in the United States, as well as its impact within the church. We are learning from 200 churches in 48 states that are actively involved in ministry to, with, and/or by people with disabilities and their families. For more information, contact Erik Carter.
• Pastoral Ministry and Disability Study
  • Based on qualitative interviews with pastors, this study explores the disability-related theologies and practices of pastors in the local church. This partnership between the Baylor Center for Disability and Flourishing and the BRIGHTS Center is made possible by a grant from the John Templeton Foundation. For more information, contact Jason Le Shana.
• Vocational Calling in Disability Professions
  • This study explores the vocational calling in the lives of special educators and disability service providers. For more information, contact Erik Carter.
• Worship as One: Learning with Children with Disabilities about Worship and Prayer
  • This multi-year project is inviting, equipping, and supporting churches and families to re-envision the ways in which children with developmental disabilities participate in worship and prayer. This partnership between Baylor University and With Ministries is funded by the Lilly Endowment’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative. For more information, contact Erik Carter.