Wings of Faith is an ordinary church that God has given an unordinary ministry.

In 2004, Pastor Shedd's next door neighbor happened to work at the Therapeutic Living Center for the Blind in Reseda, and one day asked if we were still meeting in the home where our church first started. She offered to talk to her boss about letting us use space at TLC that is not used on the weekends.

As we began to have our service there we invited TLC to join us, and a few did the first two years. In 2006 more and more started to come. Preceding the summer of 2009, at the encouragement of then TLC Executive Director Ford Neale, we invited Valley Village to also attend our service. Since we anticipated greater numbers, we also agreed with TLC to move into the Reseda Women's Club for our morning services.

At our first service on Sunday morning we are averaging about 75 TLC and VV clients and staff. All of the clients have developmental disabilities and many have physical challenges as well. We are hoping to expand our ministry to other communities of DDA in the area, such as New Horizons.

In between our services we have brunch and include the TLC and VV clients and staff each week. I think the clients not only enjoy the live music and the message from God's word, but they also enjoy getting to see everyone each week and listen to their concerns as they share prayer requests. Only those who want to come to church are brought to WoF, which means that TLC and VV must staff both the houses and those coming to the service every week. And some go to other places of worship as well.

Honestly, it takes a little getting used to. These are some very special people with very special needs -- and none of them chose the bodies into which they were born. Some are not easy to be around. But God loves each one of them individually as He loves you and me. So we need to love them as God loves us. Once you get to know them you find that they have wonderful personalities and love you back so genuinely.

We didn't set out to do this, but it seems that this is the ministry that God has called us to right now. It is not who we are, nor is it all that we would like to become. But it is a big part of us for the time, and we could sure use some help. We're looking for people like us who aren't afraid of the challenges, who believe that if God gives you something big to do He is going to help you get it done if you work hard and are faithful.

It is an unusual ministry. No doubt.

We'd love to have your help. Need a challenge in your spiritual life? This might be it.

Those who come to a service at Wings of Faith are indeed coming to serve. The second service at 11 allows all of us who were involved with the first service a time to relax with the Lord and with each other. Its a beautiful way to do church. Very different, but very satisfying.