By Jordan Tew, Executive Director • Baptist Publishing House
Baptist Publishing House is pleased to announce the release of Ministry Across the Spectrum: Autism, Faith, and the Local Church by W. Russell Threet, pastor of West Park Baptist Church in Ozark and a biblical counselor. This timely resource addresses one of the most overlooked mission fields in the church today: individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the families who love and care for them.
Drawing from personal experience as both a pastor and a parent of a child with autism, Threet writes with clarity, compassion, and theological depth. The book explores autism from a biblical worldview and provides churches with practical tools to better welcome, disciple, and support ASD families within the life of the local congregation.
“Many churches genuinely want to help but feel unsure or unprepared,” Threet explains. “This book is meant to be a starting point — offering simple, faithful steps so that families affected by autism can truly feel at home in the body of Christ.”
Ministry Across the Spectrum guides readers through real-life church scenarios featuring three fictional families representing different points on the autism spectrum. Through these stories, pastors, church members, and parents gain insight into common challenges surrounding Sunday School, worship services, church events, evangelism, counseling, membership, and more. Each chapter concludes with practical applications tailored to pastors, people in the pew, and autism families.
The release of Ministry Across the Spectrum is intended to help churches become more aware of a growing and often overlooked ministry need, while offering practical, biblically grounded guidance for serving individuals with autism and their families within the life of the local church.
Endorsements from church leaders highlight the book’s impact:
“Bold, convicting, and clear… After reading this book, the church will no longer have an excuse for neglecting this part of the community.” — Dr. Clif Johnson, pastor, Garrett Memorial Baptist Church
“This book is an excellent resource for believers seeking to minister effectively to those impacted by autism.” — Bart Herrington, pastor, South Main Missionary Baptist Church
The book also includes helpful appendices with basic training material, communication tips, sensory considerations, and sample checklists for churches, teachers, greeters, and parents, making it a hands-on guide for immediate use. Every church needs a copy of this ministry manual.
Order at baptistpublishinghouse.com or (888) 727-8715.
