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• 145: Disability and the Church Conference Recap with Sandra Peoples and Kathy Kovalchuk
• 144: How Curiosity and a Few New Strategies Can Expand the Kingdom with Kim Botto
• 004: A Better Question with Dr. Lamar Hardwick

We Didn’t Just Come Here to Read: The Power of Pursuit

Recently, at Disability and the Church Conference 2025, Dr. Lamar Hardwick was awarded the President’s Award and delivered a moving and powerful message about what it truly means to serve the disability community in the church. Drawing from personal experience and deep reflection, his words challenged attendees to go beyond preparation—and embrace pursuit.

More Than Gratitude: A Testament to Pursuit

Hardwick began by expressing gratitude for the Key Ministry team and reflecting on his journey with them—from attendee to speaker, writer, board member, and now award recipient. His story served as a living example of what happens when someone is not just welcomed but pursued.
His progression wasn’t just about opportunities. It was about being seen, valued, and intentionally included. It was, as he described it, “a testament to the power of pursuit.”

The Politics of Desirability

A key idea from Hardwick’s latest book centers on what he calls the politics of desirability. This concept highlights how people who are considered “desirable” in society tend to have greater access to resources and relationships. In contrast, individuals with disabilities often find themselves on the margins—not because they lack value, but because they are not actively wanted.

Hardwick emphasized that churches and ministries must move beyond simply creating welcoming environments. They must foster a culture where people with disabilities feel wanted, not just accommodated.

The Call to Pursue, Not Just Prepare

Conferences like this provide valuable training—tools, techniques, and strategies to better support people with disabilities. But Hardwick issued a deeper challenge: don’t just attend to be prepared—choose to pursue.

He shared an anecdote about baseball legend Hank Aaron and catcher Yogi Berra. As Berra tried to distract Aaron with commentary about how to hold his bat, Aaron hit a home run and quipped, “I didn’t come here to read.” The point: our purpose must go beyond theory and knowledge. We are here to act.

The Gospel That Moves

Referencing Colossians 1:6, Hardwick reminded the audience that the gospel “came to you.” It didn’t stay confined within church walls. It pursued people. And that’s the model churches must follow—especially when it comes to reaching the disability community.

True ministry doesn’t stop at preparation. It continues with action. It seeks out those who are often overlooked and makes them feel desired, valuable, and known.

A Challenge for the Church

Hardwick closed with a universal challenge: pursue everyone. Regardless of political affiliation, race, or socioeconomic status, the call is the same—pursue. Because real inclusion starts when people feel truly wanted.

The message was clear: the goal isn’t just to make people feel welcome in our spaces. It’s to actively go out and pursue them with love, with faith, and with the intentionality of the gospel.

Final Takeaway

This was more than a speech. It was a call to action for every church and ministry leader:

Don’t just prepare for people to come. Go out and pursue them—especially those with disabilities.

Because we didn’t just come here to read. We came here to pursue. Keep the momentum going—one conversation, one tool, and one family at a time.

The post We Didn’t Just Come Here to Read: The Power of Pursuit with Lamar Hardwick EP 146 appeared first on Key Ministry.

Source: Special Needs Parenting- Key Ministry