I just found out about a wonderful organization out of Rutherford County that I am so excited to share with you! Rising Above Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational ministry that is dedicated to special needs ministry at the church, chapter, and community level. This organization has a national office in Cookeville, Tennessee, but recently opened a Murfreesboro chapter. Their motto is "Wonderfully made, created for a plan and purpose, destined to glorify God."
This organization offers TONS of outreach ministries for families with special needs members. They host a monthly worship service in Smyrna at a LifePoint Church satellite location. This service is held on the first Saturday of each month at 6pm and a fellowship meal is held afterwards. They have classes for all age groups, with special modifications for people with special needs. My son's classroom had a pediatric nurse to help with the kids. That definitely eased my mind to leave him in there!

Rising Above Ministries also offers a Mom's Coffee Talk once a month at Panera Bread in Murfreesboro. This gives moms an opportunity to get out of the house and get away with other ladies for just a while, enjoy some lunch and some friendship! Dad's are not excluded, however. Dad's have a monthly Dad's Hang Time as well!

There is a By The Brook Mom's Retreat in June that pampers moms of children with special needs. Moms will go away for two days and enjoy spa time, gourmet meals, worship, encouragement, and inspiration.

The Two-gether Marriage Retreat and workshops are designed for couples raising children with special needs as well. This weekend couples get away provides real-life, practical, God-centered teaching, encouragement, and application for your marriage. This retreat takes place in Chatanooga next month registration is coming to a close so if this is something you might be interested in attending you must act quickly!

The next big event coming up is the Easter Eggstavaganza on March 31st. New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro is allowing Rising Above Ministries to use their campus to host its first annual Easter egg hunt for children and adults with special needs and their families. There will be multiple egg hunts for individuals with special needs of all ages, and also for their siblings up to age 10. There will be lots of games, activities and entertainment, including a petting zoo! They ask that you RSVP to this event so they can make the necessary accommodations that each person might need to able to hunt. For Christian, I was told that they will have Easter eggs that say "Hey! I'm over here! Come get me!" so that he will be able to find the eggs!

I think this ministry is a great opportunity for anyone, not just those who have family members with special needs, to get involved in the special needs community! Please take advantage of all of these great opportunities to minister or be ministered to!

For more information about this organization, or to register for any of these events, you can visit www.risingaboveministries.org. For more information or if you have questions about the local Murfreesboro chapter or its events, you can email Sonya at craigs@risingaboveministries.org.