All Belong, based in Wyoming, Mich., is a 40-year-old ministry and bills itself as the leading catalyst for creating and maintaining inclusive Christ-centered communities for persons of all abilities.

Friendship Ministries, based in Grand Rapids, Mich., said its vision is for people with and without intellectual disability to grow deeper in their relationship with God and with each other in community together. It’s mission is to provide resources that support faith formation and congregational inclusion with individuals with intellectual disability.

“Under the banner of All Belong’s name and enduring mission—to equip congregations and schools to glorify God through purposeful, innovative inclusion of persons with varied abilities—we will together build on Friendship Ministries’ work to serve churches by providing curriculum designed to build relationships within and across local churches and communities,” All Belong said in a note to supporters.

All Belong noted that Friendship Ministries sought out a partnership with a like-minded, Christ-centered ministry focused on inclusion.

“All Belong joyfully took the opportunity to create a proposal, engage in discussion with Friendship Ministries leadership and, after much prayer and planning, finalize Friendship Ministries as a subsidiary of All Belong – a friendly and positive outcome for all of us.

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All Belong said the new relationship “just makes sense.”

“We have long shared a heart for similar work in building belonging in churches,” All Belong said in the note. “In short, we’re excited.  With supporters like you, and this new development for the organization, we’re eager to expand our impact through this avenue of purposeful, innovative inclusion of persons with varied abilities in God’s kingdom. And that’s something we can all celebrate, together.”

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