Renowned for dynamic soul-winning worship, nationally acclaimed Worship Leader and Recording Artist, BJ McKelvie, has seen the miraculous manifestations of God's power many times in his own life.                                                                     

 

Although he was a talented sound engineer with a bright future, BJ was plagued with depression. He committed suicide, his heart stopped twice and doctors were initially unable to revive him. BJ stepped over the threshold that separates life and death and what he experienced changed his life forever.

 

After several years of searching for the Voice he encountered in that terrifying place, BJ became a follower of Christ. BJ McKelvie Ministries is fueled by his testimony and  the success of his debut album, "Accept Me As I Am". This launched him into an international ministry touching thousands of lives. However, all of this came to an abrupt stop in late 2006 when his son was diagnosed with Autism.

 

Still trying to shake off what he so desperately had been praying was a mistaken diagnosis, BJ quickly retreated from radio, touring & TV to be there for his son & family. He learned that Autism chains the mind and voice, locking people into their own world, unable to communicate - having to make "their own way".  BJ reappeared on the music scene in 2008 after co-writing and producing "I'm In Here". This powerful duet was quickly adopted as the Anthem for Autism and has been heard across the nation and Europe on several radio formats.

 

In September of 2009, Rev. BJ McKelvie and his wife, Francine, answered the call to found and pastor Family Circle Church: Canada's first church for special needs. Together they share their testimony to help individuals, parents and children dealing with special needs to develop a relationship with the Living God.

 

BJ's new calling fanned the flame to reignite this powerful ministry with a new timely message about a forgotten group in our own community who desperately need us and whose voices are often left unheard. Every 20 minutes a child is diagnosed with Autism and the divorce rate is 80 - 90% in families with special needs. The modern day church needs to be equipped to help people with special needs and ensuring the church is wheelchair accessible.

 

This ministry will help churches to understand family dynamics in the home with special needs and why so often they do not attend services. One of the hard facts countless families are facing in the church today is this: a large number of church members feel uncomfortable and offended if someone with special needs "disrupts" the service. Time and time again people will ask the parents to remove the child with special needs from the service; stating that they are "grieving the spirit". This is a harsh reality that happens far too often in church services. The child and the family who need the miracle working God, and the support of the church the most, are asked to leave.

 

BJ McKelvie Ministries will teach the church leadership how to seek out, assist and minister to families with special needs; therefore, enabling them to come to church and strengthening the family unit. These families need a miracle; they need a Pastor in their ongoing time of need. They need to be in church and in the presence of God. This ministry will bring personal awareness and a new level of accountability to the congregation, which will help them to be valuable ministers of the Word in their everyday lives.

 

BJ will bring wisdom, scriptures, tools and teaching methods that the church can use to effectively teach people with special needs the Word of God. This ministry will equip you to make a plan that will work in reaching out to thousands of families in your neighborhood that are often forgotten.

 

This ministry brings a sobering message that has changed congregations and redirected churches. It has brought Pastors to their knees in tears and opened people's hearts. Most of all it has helped families with special needs get back to church.

 

By the time you finished reading this, another child has been diagnosed.