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Royal Kidz 

Royal Kidz 

Several years ago, a church that I had attended was starting a Special Needs Ministry. I remember listening to a guest speaker who was helping us start the ministry share that 80-85% of churches do not have any level of Special Needs Ministry. And that 90% of individuals with disabilities don’t attend church. An estimated 1 out of 6 children and 1 out of 4 adults in the US are affected by some form of disability. Not all disabilities are visible.

Joni Eareckson Tada founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center: "Only 5-10% of people with disabilities in the world are effectively reached with the Gospel making the disability community the largest unreached people group in the United States and the world."

I remember sitting there thinking that something needed to be done.

During this time, I was teaching full-time as a special education teacher. I have worked with individuals with disabilities, from preschool to young adults, in public school, church, and healthcare settings. I loved teaching in the classroom. I loved and was passionate about researching the best methods and tools for my students. I loved creating resources to equip teachers and parents all around the world at Teaching is a Royal Adventure. But I didn't feel fulfilled.

There was a longing in my heart that I couldn't explain, so I prayed every day that God would give me a supernatural love and understanding of His Word. And I prayed that He would use the gifts and talents that He had given me to bring glory and honor to Him, not only in the big things but in the mundane everyday life. I found great comfort in the Bible Verse: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." -Proverbs 3:5-6

Several years ago, a church that I had attended was starting a Special Needs Ministry. I remember listening to our guest speaker share that 80-85% of churches do not have any level of Special Needs Ministry. And that 90% of individuals with disabilities don’t attend church. An estimated 1 out of 6 children and 1 out of 4 adults in the US are affected by some form of disability. Not all disabilities are visible. He shared that "Only 5-10% of people with disabilities in the world are effectively reached with the Gospel making the disability community the largest unreached people group in the United States and the world. " -Joni Eareckson Tada founder and CEO of Joni and Friends International Disability Center.











God placed a burden on my heart, and I knew that something needed to be done.

During this time, I was teaching full-time as a special education teacher. I have worked with individuals with disabilities, from preschool to young adults, in public school, church, and healthcare settings. If I am sincere, I loved teaching in the classroom. I loved and was passionate about researching the best methods and tools for my students. I loved creating resources to equip teachers and parents all around the world at Teaching is a Royal Adventure, Inc. to help students learn. But I didn’t feel fulfilled. There was a longing in my heart that I couldn’t explain, so I prayed every day that God would give me a supernatural love and understanding of His Word. And I prayed that He would use the gifts and talents that He had given me to bring glory and honor to Him while leaning on the Bible Verse:
 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

OUR MISSION AT ROYAL KIDZ IS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT HELP CHILDREN AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES LEARN AND EMBRACE THE LOVE OF CHRIST JESUS. EVERY CHILD DESERVES THE PROPER TOOLS NEEDED TO LEARN GOD’S WORD, AND WE EXIST TO HELP learners WITH DISABILITIES KNOW THEIR IDENTITY IN CHRIST: AS TRUE ROYALTY.

Our Mission

Our Story for His glory

Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. (Okay, in Kindergarten, maybe I wanted to be Belle, but for the most part I have always felt like I was born to teach.)

In Kindergarten, I became friends with Sarah. Sarah was diagnosed with Down Syndrome when she was born, but I didn't identify Sarah by her disability. Sarah was my friend and I accepted her for who she was. Sarah made a huge impact on my life and God used her to one day lead me to my calling.

By the time I was a teenager, I was pretty involved in basketball. You might wonder why this is important, and I don't mean to go all High School on you, but it was the first big decision in choosing God's way and trusting His plans. You see, at the time I was a Varsity starter and believed basketball would afford me greater opportunities in college. I was passionate about playing, until one day I felt the Lord tugging on my heart to leave the sport behind at the end of the season and not return the next year.

I remember questioning, "Why would God ask me to leave something that I loved so much?" In the end, I made a brave decision and trusted God. After the season was finished, I told my coach that I would not be returning the next year. There was a peace that surpassed all understanding, just like it says in Philippians 4:6. The peace was from trusting in God's plan and where He was leading me. Even though at the time I didn't know what, I knew He had a different purpose for my life.

This decision was the exact turning point in my life.

Because I no longer had to play basketball during study hall, the door opened up my senior year in High School to be a peer tutor in the Special Education classroom. My friends with special needs taught me to love and appreciate the most meaningful things in life. Some of my most favorite memories in High School were the ones we got to share. They inspired me to become a Special Education teacher.

Fast forward to going into my second year teaching, In 2012, God laid it on my heart to create classroom decor for my coworker and I where our children with special needs would have a safe, inviting, and fun classroom to walk into each day. Never did I imagine it would lead to creating curriculum where children all around the world would learn and grow! At that time, I was happy and content. I loved teaching. I loved being a curriculum designer and creating resources for my own students and children all around the world to learn how to read. But there was something in the deepest parts of my heart that knew God had something different in mind for my life. 

There was a longing in my soul that I couldn't explain. So I began to pray every day that God would use the gifts and talents that He had given me to bring glory and honor to Him.

During this time, there was an opportunity at church for me to become a buddy with a preschooler who had special needs. Kate was this precious, brown-eyed little girl, with a room-brightening smile, and a giggle that will lift your heart! She has such a curious and full of life personality. 

Kate has been diagnosed with multiple disabilities. She is so brave and has proven time and time again how extraordinarily strong she is overcoming numerous surgeries and day to day activities that so many of us takes for granite. One of the most amazing miracles is seeing Kate walk again.

Kate is now 14 years old. We recently enjoyed breakfast and our first coffee together. It's amazing getting to see how God is continuing to blossom her in becoming who God created her to be in His perfect timing and how God has uniquely created her for a divine purpose.

When Kate went into the Children's Ministry I starting noticing how all the great tools for individuals with disabilities to learn at school were not available in the church for ALL kids to study God's Word.

In 2013, Kate's mom and two other mamas with kids who have special needs started bringing awareness of the importance of having a Special Needs Ministry at our church. They invited the founders of Rising Above Ministries to visit our church to equip our staff and volunteers in starting a Special Needs Ministry. They shared statistics that 90% of families with special needs do not attend church and make up the largest unreached demographic in the United States. And only 11% of evangelical churches have a ministry that serves individuals with special needs. When I heard these statistics, there was a stirring in my heart that there needed to be a change.

In December 2016, God answered my prayer and laid on my heart to create a Bible Curriculum for children with special needs to learn God's Word with visual, picture-based support. I had no idea what putting my yes on the table would involve and how much God's Truth would impact my life. A year later I got the amazing honor to partner with SymbolStix, LLC., an evidence‑based symbol communication tool to ensure EVERYONE has access to learning the Bible with lessons that match their ability levels.  

This has been a five year project, and I can hardly believe you are reading this story and that this dream is now a reality. 

From the beginning, my mind has always been set if God could use this to change one life, it would all be worth it. What I was not expecting was how much my life would be changed. Through digging in and studying God's Word, I have grown so much in my own relationship with the Lord and know Him in ways I could never imagine because of the life of your child with unique abilities. 

Your child inspires me by helping me be a more patient and loving person. They motivate me to become a better teacher, and encourage me to appreciate the most meaningful things in life. There is nothing more rewarding than the opportunity of getting to develop resources to help children of ALL abilities learn God's Word. 

Never did I imagine creating classroom decor for my coworker and I would turn into creating curriculum for Teaching is a Royal Adventure, Inc., and now creating curriculum for Royal Kidz, Inc. where ALL kids will have access to learn the Bible to match their individual needs. It's such a beautiful picture how God's plans are so much bigger than you could ever imagine for yourself with patience, discipline, determination, and hard work. And how God so lovingly uses our passions and gives them a purpose. 
I'm so thankful I get to do this for Him and for His glory, and for everyone I've met through this journey.

When considering a name for this curriculum, God brought me back to why Teaching was a "Royal" Adventure. Why was it "Royal?" You see without realizing it, it's because every friend, child, student, and adult that I have met with special needs has helped me be more like Christ. 

And in Christ, God calls your child royalty. At Royal Kidz, we truly love getting to help your child live out their royal calling.

"We become Royal Kidz, Not because of us and our abilities or disabilities, but because of Jesus Christ and who He is."

At church, I was a buddy to a child in our preschool. Kate is a beautiful, big-brown-eyed little girl with a room-brightening smile and a laugh that lifts anyone who meets her heart. Kate is not a little girl anymore. Now she is 15 years old. It's so hard to believe! (But I love that we can now share a good cup of joe.) Kate has multiple disabilities and medical complexities. She has gone through so much in her life and is so incredibly brave. She experiences challenges and struggles each day that we can take for granted, yet she keeps persevering while radiating the joy of the Lord! Kate is fearfully and wonderfully made, and God has used Kate to inspire me in many ways and strengthen my faith by seeing His strength and power in her life. When Kate went into the Children's Ministry, I loved watching Kate praise and connect with God through music. It was so touching watching her make a joyful noise unto the Lord! But I noticed there wasn't anything available for her to learn and be engaged in learning God's Word. Kate inspired me to found Royal Kidz.

In December 2016, God stirred in my heart to create an adapted curriculum to help learners with disabilities learn God's Word. God has faithfully brought together an amazing team to make this dream a reality. 

So many incredible ministries are bringing social awareness to the need for Disability-Inclusion in the church. The heartbeat for Royal Kidz is to provide parents, teachers, and churches with the proper tools, resources, and training to help kids with disabilities learn God's Royal Adventure through the Bible by engaging the five senses and individual learning styles. 

At Royal Kidz, we know parents of children with disabilities want to see their kids enjoy acceptance and love. We do too!

One pivotal way to bring this about is to help children feel God's smile and understand His wonderful plan for them.

We want to help ALL kids see themselves as they truly are - precious children created in the image of God and a valuable piece of God's Story. Through His Word, they can see themselves as royalty in Christ and become who they are created to be as children of the King.

Every child can learn God's Word and grow in their relationship with Him in their own unique way. 

We believe every child has the opportunity to leave a legacy and needs the proper tools to reach their full potential. That's why we put Jesus at the center of everything in all of our resources, to help kids with disabilities grow in Christ. Through our adaptive Bible Curriculum and the power of the Holy Spirit, every child can learn about and connect with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ." God loves your child and has created them for a unique purpose. 

When considering a name for this ministry, God brought me back to how I feel about teaching. I've considered teaching... "a Royal Adventure." Why is it royal? I thought about my friends growing up with disabilities, the students I taught, Kate, and all the friends in our Special Needs Ministry at church and how they inspired me in many ways by helping me be more patient and loving. They motivated me to become a better teacher and encouraged me to appreciate life's simple and most precious gifts. They have helped me be more like Christ, which is more precious and rewarding than anything in this world.

God is the Creator and the loving King over all of creation. In Christ, we are ALL children of God! And when we become a part of His family, we become Royal Kidz. We are true royalty, not because of us and our abilities or disabilities, but because of Jesus Christ and who He is. ⁠ In Christ, God calls your child royalty as a child of the King.

At Royal Kidz, it's a privilege, and we truly love getting to help your child live out their royal calling for the King's glory.

At church, I was a buddy to a child in our preschool. Kate is a beautiful, big-brown-eyed little girl with a room-brightening smile and a laugh that lifts anyone who meets her heart. Kate is not a little girl anymore. Now she is 16 years old! It’s so hard to believe! Kate has multiple disabilities and has gone through so much in her life. She experiences daily challenges that we can take for granted, yet she radiates the joy of the Lord! Kate inspires me in so many ways and encourages me to appreciate the simple and most precious gifts in life.  When Kate went into the Children’s Ministry, I noticed she loved praising and connecting with God through music, but there wasn’t anything available for her to learn God’s Word.

In December 2016, God stirred in my heart to create an adapted curriculum to help ALL kids learn God’s Word, and God brought together an amazing team to bring this dream into a reality.

So many incredible ministries are bringing social awareness to the need for Disability-Inclusion in the church. The heartbeat for Royal Kidz is to provide parents, teachers, and churches the proper tools, resources, and trainings to teach learners with disabilities God's Word. 

At Royal Kidz, we know parents of children with disabilities want to see their kids enjoy acceptance and love. We do too!

One pivotal way to bring this about is to help children feel God’s smile and understand His wonderful plan for them.

Sadly, many people believe people with disabilities can’t learn. That means they often feel overlooked and rejected—even in church. We know better! Mark 16:15 says, “He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” NIV

We believe every child CAN learn and develop a relationship with God through His One and Only Son, Jesus, and carry out the great commission “to go and make disciples of all nations.” – Matthew 28:19 NIV

The Bible says everyone, with or without disabilities, is a sinner. The Good News of the Gospel is to be shared with ALL people! We hope that through the Holy Spirit and our Christ-centered resources, tools, and training to study the Bible for kids and adults with disabilities, we can help them experience God’s love.

⁠When considering a name for this curriculum, God brought me back to the way I feel about teaching. I’ve considered it a “a royal adventure.” Why is it royal? God created ALL children. He is in charge of everything.











In Christ, we are ALL children of God! And when we become a part of His family, we are royalty! We become Royal Kidz. Not because of us and our abilities or disabilities but because of Jesus Christ and who He is. ⁠ In Christ, God calls your child royalty. It’s a privilege getting to do this for the Lord, and we genuinely love getting to help your child be all that God created them to be and live out their royal purpose.










In Christ, we are ALL children of God! And when we become a part of His family, we are royalty! We become Royal Kidz. Not because of us and our abilities or disabilities, but because of Jesus Christ and who He is. ⁠ In Christ, God calls your child royalty. At Royal Kidz, we truly love getting to help your child live out their royal calling. It’s a privilege getting to do this for the Lord and we truly love getting to help your child live out their royal calling.

- Lawren Christianson, Founder of Royal Kidz

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