They Want To Come To Church, But Can't.

When our staff team was in Jordan early this year, we visited a young man named Tarek and his mother living in one of the poorest areas of the city.

Both of them have cerebral palsy, which means they are unable to walk and have very limited use of their arms and hands. Their daily lives are difficult in ways most of us rarely have to consider. They depend on the kindness of neighbors, and begging on the street.

And yet, what stood out most was not their poverty, but Tarek himself. He was thoughtful and sharp. He showed us how he spends his time playing chess on a old phone someone gave him. He talked about wanting to travel, about wanting friendships, about wanting more than the small dark room they rarely leave.

But that day, he also spoke to us openly about his despair. About feeling trapped. About not wanting to go on. He was suicidal. Our social visit became an intervention.

They are a Muslim family. And just a few hundred feet from their home, there is a church. The pastor has visited them. He has helped where he can. They told us they would like to visit the church, but they cannot. There is a staircase at the entrance. No ramp. No way inside. So the church remains, quite literally, out of reach.

For many of us, worshiping with the body of Christ presents few barriers. We are able to enter a church building, hear and understand the service, and join in worship with relative ease.

But for many people with disabilities, around the world and even within reach of our own churches, this is not the case. What many of us experience as routine, others experience as exclusion.

We believe the church is not whole if some neighbors physically cannot attend.

So in January, CHLF partnered with Inclusive Jordan to bring together leaders from multiple denominations for a conference called Inclusive Churches. We are united by a shared conviction: churches must become accessible, safe, and welcoming for people with disabilities.

Leaders explored how Jesus sees people with disabilities, not as burdens, but as essential members of His body. They learned practical steps toward inclusion, from disability etiquette to accessibility in church life.

This is why this work matters. Because not far from a church door, there are hurting people who would come in, if they could. This is not simply about buildings. It is about a vision for churches where anyone can come and experience the love of Christ through worship and community.

And because when barriers remain, the church is saying something, whether it intends to or not, about who is able to draw near.

As you gather with your church this week, we invite you to pause. Remember those for whom worship is not accessible. Pray for churches in Jordan as they take meaningful steps toward inclusion. And ask God to continue shaping His Church into a place where no one is left outside.