According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1 in 54 children in the U.S. is diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. This disorder is a developmental disability that affects all ethnic and socioeconomic families, including the Kim family.
Calvin Kim, who serves as pastor of Agape Mission Baptist Church in Palolo, Oahu, and his wife, Bin, understand the challenges of raising an autistic child firsthand. Their 4-year-old daughter, Chloe, was diagnosed with ASD in September 2019.
Rather than keeping their challenges private, the Kims saw a ministry opportunity with their church to help their daughter and other children battling ASD. It is their belief that autistic children also need to learn about the Lord. So in October 2021 they hired a registered behavioral technician and gathered volunteers to start a Sunday School class for autistic children (ages 4–8).
One-on-one attention
Each child receives one-on-one attention in class from skilled volunteers while he or she participates in worship, Bible study, crafts, and art. This weekly ministry provided by Agape Mission meets a unique and vital need on Oahu. The church is a Korean congregation, yet its Sunday services are offered in English as well. They welcome all families and are also seeking volunteers to assist with their autism ministry.
For more information contact Pastor Calvin Kim at calvinhkim@gmail.com. Pastor Kim and the congregation welcome your prayer as they expand this ministry to the autistic community.
EDITOR’S NOTE — This article was originally published by the Pacific Connecter, newsletter of the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention.
