A Place For Everyone

Joe Moreland has been a member of First Dallas for more than two decades. When he married his wife, Shawna, in 2004, the couple knew this would be the church where they would raise their family. Today, they are the proud parents of two children, 15-year-old Lane and 8-year-old Savannah.

Life took an unexpected turn when Lane was diagnosed with autism and apraxia at just two years old. “We were told by doctors he would never talk,” Joe says. As a result, the Morelands faced new challenges, fears, and one overwhelming question: Who can we trust to care for our son?

For many years after learning about Lane’s diagnosis, the Morelands stayed home from church and listened to KCBI on Sunday mornings. “Having a special needs child turns your world upside down,” Joe shared. They navigated finding a balance between caring for Lane and also making sure their daughter was involved. 

Everything changed when they brought Savannah to Vacation Bible School three years ago. While they were dropping her off, Joe noticed a sign down the hallway in the Children’s Ministry that said, “Special Needs VBS.” “That’s when we met Gary,” he said, referring to the Special Needs Minister. “He asked why Lane wasn’t coming,” he continues, “I didn’t even know there was a children’s special needs program.” That week, both of their kids participated in VBS for the first time. The Morelands didn’t just find a weeklong camp—they instantly found a community.

From Sunday mornings to special events like Parents’ Night Out and Kids Worship Week, the Morelands experience a place that supports every member of their family. Shawna now serves in the Special Needs Ministry, and both Joe and Shawna attend a support group that has become a source of comfort and strength for them. “It’s hard for other people to understand. But, when you meet parents who live this every day, they know what they’re talking about,” Joe says.

Today, Lane talks and uses a communication device—something doctors once said would never happen. Joe and Shawna thank the Special Needs Ministry for the way they have encouraged and helped Lane grow. Joe says, “They value him.” Shawna adds, “They meet the kids where they are. They know those kids. They are not just babysitters. They are teaching them the Bible. Learning looks different, and they show it in a way they can participate.”

The question that once haunted Joe and Shawna about who could properly care for their son’s needs was answered through the compassionate and capable team of the Special Needs Ministry. “The systems they have in place, the people who work in these classes—they are trained individuals with backgrounds in special education. We trusted them.”

Now, their family is thriving. Savannah was recently baptized. Lane eagerly recognizes the church every time they pass by the campus on the way to school. “It’s been tremendous for our spiritual life. It made us stronger as a family and in our faith,” says Shawna.

We want every person who walks through our church doors to feel loved, cared for, and discipled. The Special Needs Ministry is just one of the many ways First Dallas is creating space for every individual to encounter the love of Jesus and grow in their faith. That can start with a simple invitation from you. When you invite someone—anyone!—to First Baptist Dallas, you can trust that they will be taught the truth of God’s Word in a loving community that ministers to them personally.