Special Needs Ministry in West Africa: Sharing Christ’s Love for Disabled Children
In West Africa, a place where children with a disability are deemed embodiments of evil, Gene and Amanda confront this harsh cultural stigma with compassion and the love of Jesus. Serving in Liberia with SIM USA, they witness firsthand how these children are labeled as cursed, believed to bear the weight of divine retribution.
“They are seen as witches, dragons, snakes, anything but human, and anything but good,” Amanda said.
In the face of this darkness, Gene and Amanda share the hope of Christ while helping families understand what Scripture says about disabilities and human worth. They aim to bring hope and understanding to the families of children with disabilities, who are often entrenched in fear and misconception.
Their ministry reflects the Lord’s heart for children with support needs. In the New Testament, Jesus confronted cultural misconceptions about disabilities. He told His disciples that disabilities are not a punishment from God but often carry a divine purpose.
“His disciples asked him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’” John 9:2-3
“God has allowed us to share the gospel and the biblical perspectives of humanity and disability with these families,” Amanda said. “It’s a beautiful opportunity.”
King’s Kids Ministry: Overcoming Stigma with Christ’s Love
Gene and Amanda’s passion for this ministry is deeply personal. They are the parents of a daughter with support needs, giving them unique empathy for the families they serve and a firsthand understanding of the challenges and beauty of raising a child with a disability.
Their ministry for children with support needs is called King’s Kids. The ministry exists to build a supportive community for children with disabilities and their families, and to equip parents with the training needed to lovingly care for their children.
“They have no community. They’ve been kicked out of their families and villages, but bringing them together has been one of the most beautiful things I have witnessed,” Amanda said. “I want to provide some basic teaching and practical help for them, because they’re given these children and told nothing. They’re sent home with a baby, and many of them are even told to dash the baby (on the ground) because the child is here to curse them. So, we want to help them understand what disability is, what cerebral palsy is, and what Down Syndrome is. We want to teach them what they can expect from these disabilities and how they can help their children.”
Ultimately, the community support and educational focus of King’s Kids serve a greater purpose: introducing families to the hope and saving grace of Jesus Christ.
“Those first two things lead to the final and most important thing, which is to inject Jesus into that dark place,” Amanda said.
“Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” Micah 7:8
King’s Kids is growing quickly! What began with just four attendees has now blossomed into a community of around 60 regular participants. Please pray for God’s continued provision, guidance, and wisdom as the ministry expands to meet increasing needs.
How a Christian Radio Program is Changing Disability Stigma in West Africa
Amanda sat with one of the mothers from King’s Kids, reflecting on the profound challenges and painful stigmas attached to raising a child with special needs in Liberia. As they talked, Amanda shared a thought:
“You know what I’ve noticed about disability? It’s not the disability itself that causes the suffering—our society causes suffering by how it responds to disabilities. How can we change the culture to reduce the suffering?”
The mother looked into her eyes and shared a simple but profound idea: “Get on the radio.”
Amanda froze. Her first instinct was to panic. As an introvert, the thought of public speaking on a radio broadcast sounded like a nightmare. In that moment, she felt like hiding under a rock.
Sensing her hesitation, the mother continued. “Amanda, we all listen to the radio. If you only want to do community campaigns, we won’t listen to you. You’ll come visit us once, you’ll leave, and then we’ll never see you again. If you want to impact the community, you need to get on the radio.”
Amanda heard a gentle, yet unmistakable confirmation from the Holy Spirit: “Yes.”
“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent… I am slow of speech and tongue.’ The Lord said… ‘Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’” Exodus 4:10-12
Despite her fears, Amanda stepped out in faith and began hosting a radio program that opens up honest conversations about disability. She describes the show as an imaginary public table where the community can gather and look at disability from three angles: spiritual, social, and medical.
First, they examine what God says about disabilities and what Scripture teaches about worth and purpose. Then, they examine disability from a societal perspective: how does disability affect society, and how does society impact individuals with disabilities? Lastly, they consider the medical side, providing knowledge and understanding that can lead to better care and compassion.
“We provide Bible teaching on the radio. I invite our King’s Kids mothers to come on the radio to tell their stories and give their perspectives. I also invite medical staff from the hospital to share from a medical perspective. They might answer questions like, ‘What is cerebral palsy? How do we get it? Can it spread? Can I catch disabilities from somebody else?’ And so that is the beauty of radio,” Amanda said.
What began as a moment of fear has become a powerful tool for this uniquely purposed ministry. Through the radio, the hope of Christ is reaching into homes, hearts, and cultural strongholds. Amanda’s obedience, even in discomfort, is changing how communities view disability and, most importantly, is introducing them to the gospel.
Because when God’s people say “yes,” even through trembling voices, He does the rest.
Your Role in Global Missions: Go, Give, or Pray with SIM USA
Gene and Amanda’s ministry in Liberia is a reminder that God calls us to bring His light into places of deep darkness—sometimes through community, sometimes through education, and sometimes through the airways of a radio broadcast. It’s all for His glory.
You can be a part of this work. SIM USA equips and supports cross-cultural workers like Gene and Amanda who share the gospel all over the world. Whether you feel led to go, give, or pray, your involvement matters!
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
Maggie Watts
Content Creator
I am a Content Creator with SIM USA. It is a joy to use writing and multimedia to glorify God and tell stories about how He is working around the world.