Who We Serve
Individuals with Disabilities
We stand alongside individuals seeking deeper, more meaningful connections within faith communities. For many, traditional faith spaces can feel inaccessible or unwelcoming. At The Julian Way, we strive to ensure that disability is not a barrier but a celebrated aspect of each person’s identity. Our goal is to help each individual feel they belong and are cherished as full members of their faith community.
Faith Leaders and Congregations
We work closely with clergy, faith leaders, and congregations to help them transform their communities into places of genuine belonging. Through our consulting services, we equip leaders with the tools, knowledge, and perspectives needed to create welcoming spaces for people with disabilities. From physical accessibility to inclusive language and practices, we guide leaders in fostering spaces that fully engage and celebrate every community member.
Testimonials
"Rev. Justin Hancock and his incredible team at The Julian Way have been a true blessing to the people and leadership of University Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, Texas! The Julian Way has been an exceptional partner in empowering our church to be in ministry with persons of diverse embodiments.
When the leadership of our church decided to partner with a community organization that provides care and community for adults with [disabilities], The Julian Way was my first call in helping to train myself, the church staff, and our day school staff in how to be in ministry and community with people of diverse embodiments. The Julian Way’s training continues to yield meaningful results for our ministry field.
The Julian Way is also helping us move towards universal accessibility on our historic campus, has taught our youth group (which was so much fun with Justin’s incredible sense of humor!), and has preached powerful sermons at UPUMC. I am so thankful that God has connected us with Rev. Hancock and The Julian Way! I commend them to you wholeheartedly!"
Rev. Joe Stobaugh, Senior Pastor, University Park United Methodist Church
"The opportunities presented for a disabled person like me in the AMP program at the Vancouver International Film Festival are unbelievable. From the connections to the friendships and just the chance to explore, none of this would have been possible for me without the Julian Way and the LIFT Fund. It is truly life changing and I'm grateful to be connected with such amazing people."
Chris Wylie AKA DJ Pastor Rock
"When I became the pastor at White Rock UMC, I was excited to know that there was a covenant relationship with The Julian Way. It helped me to know that social justice was important to White Rock UMC. This past year we were blessed to have Rev. Justin and Dr. Lisa lead an anti-ableist training for our church family. We titled it "Becoming Anti-Ableist Christians" because the gospel calls us to live as anti-ableist Christians in the church and the world. We assessed the role of ableism and assumptions about disability in the church and larger society and examined ideas of welcome and expectations between the disability community and the church. At the beginning of worship each week at White Rock UMC, we say “You are loved. You are accepted. You are called.” The anti-ableist training helped us to really live into those words and develop skills for creating anti-ableist hospitality.
When we have a Communion rail offering for The Julian Way or talk about our covenant partnership, it heightens people’s awareness and helps us to live into our calling to become anti-ableist Christians."
Rev. Kerry Smith, Senior Pastor, White Rock United Methodist Church
Justin Hancock and his wife Lisa to lead an Ableism Awareness Training during the season of Lent. This was a ZOOM gathering since the NE Conference stretches across 6 states in the Northeastern United States. That made it accessible for many people to attend who otherwise would not have been able or willing to do extensive travel in the winter months.
The New England Conference is known for its heart of justice and inclusion but I was aware that the inclusion of the disability community was not as robust as it could be. The Hancocks led an exceptional seminar which laid the foundation for the Biblical and Theological mandate for accessibility and gave practical advice on how to combat ableism in our churches and communities.
I consider ableism on par with racism and sexism but often people don’t take notice of the discrimination, micro-aggressions and marginalization that people in the disability community experience. The church is called to resist evil, and oppression and we can all learn how to improve the way we include and empower people with disabilities in our midst. I strongly recommend that every annual conference hold and Ableism Training event for lay and clergy. Our “justice will roll on like a river and righteousness like a never failing stream” (Amos:5:24) as you do.
Bushop Peggy Johnson, interim bishop of the New England Annual Conference from January 2023 until September 2024.
