Visitors who come to Special Gathering which is a ministry within the mentally challenged community are often surprised that they also receive ministry through the messages and the devotions, teaching and sermons they hear.  No matter who is teaching, if they are effective at reaching our members, they will be effective a reaching others.

There are several reasons:

First, the gospel preached with the anionting of the Holy Spirit produces humility, simplicity and joy.  This  reaches into the hearts of everyone.

Second, at Special Gathering, we deliberately attempt to throw into our messages nuggets which will minister to our teachers.  These are small caviots that may be humor or points of interest.  Interestingly, I find that our members often “get it” as much as our teachers.

Third, there is the supernatural power of the gospel that reaches into the hearts of the every hearer that transforms and changes.

Fourth, our members are a more sophisticated listener than most people give them credit.

Fifth, there is never a necessity to  “dumb down” the message.  It is the presentation of the message that must be adjusted to meet academic realities.

Waiting on a bus in a crowded city, there will be a get variety of people with differing academic levels.  But each person will enter the same bus by the same doors and take their seats or stand in the same way.  Presentation of the gospel is like this.  Hungry people–eager to hear the simple claims of the gospel–will “get on the bus.”   The most sophisticated listener with enter and sit down if they understand their need for Jesus.