Welcome to Thrive!

Our Special Needs Ministry, where we make the Gospel accessible to everyone!

How We Thrive

Our Mission

At Calvary, we believe the Gospel is for everyone. Thrive is our special needs ministry, dedicated to creating safe, welcoming environments where individuals of all abilities can truly belong.

Our mission is simple: We choose to INCLUDE, not separate. We want everyone to experience the full life of our church family. We do this by removing barriers and providing tailored support. No matter your needs, there is a place for you to thrive here!

Plan Your Visit

What to expect

We can’t wait to welcome your family! To help us give your child or family member the best possible experience in our Thrive ministry, here is how check-in works:

  • Plan Ahead (Optional): Many families connect with us before their first visit so we can prepare for your arrival and answer any questions. You can fill out our registration form below, or click HERE to contact our team!
  • When You Arrive: Head to the Preschool/Children’s Registration Desk. Let a volunteer know you are interested in a Thrive class.
  • Personalized Support: Our registration team will immediately alert a Thrive leader. Someone from our team will come meet you directly at the desk to welcome you, guide you to the right classroom, and make sure your family feels right at home.

How We Support Your Family

We offer a variety of tailored support for children & adults!

Specialized Classes

During our 11:00 AM service, we host specialized classes for both children and adults, tailored to meet unique learning and sensory needs.

Buddy System

We can pair your family member with a dedicated Buddy to support their full participation in standard programming. Every Buddy is a trained, background-checked volunteer devoted to making sure your family member feels safe, included, and valued.

Integrated Classes

If your family member prefers to attend our standard classes, we can provide subtle check-ins throughout the session to make sure everything is going smoothly. This setup works wonderfully for participants who are largely independent but benefit from occasional support.

Meet the Team: Melissa Mock, Lead Director of Thrive Ministries

With more than 30 years of experience working with preschoolers, children, and teens, Melissa Mock brings a passion for teaching, discipleship, and creating meaningful connections for individuals with special needs. As the Lead Director of Thrive Ministries at Calvary Church, Melissa leads a ministry committed to making the gospel accessible to people of all ages and abilities.

Through adapted biblical teaching, individualized support, volunteer training, and intentional relationships, Thrive helps individuals with special needs grow in their understanding of God and find a place where they truly belong.

Melissa also equips families, caregivers, teachers, and volunteers with practical tools and strategies that help them support individuals with special needs both within the church and beyond. Her heart is to see every person welcomed into the life of the church, discipled in God’s Word, and given opportunities to use their gifts to serve Christ.

More information

FAQs

While not required, we want to get to know your family member’s unique strengths and needs before they arrive! Please fill out our Thrive Registration Form ahead of time, or reach out to our Thrive Ministry Director HERE. This helps us match them with the right buddy or environment so their first day is a success.

All Thrive volunteers are background-checked and complete bi-annual specialized training focused on inclusion strategies, sensory support, and implementing our specialized curriculum. We also offer year-round workshops for our broader Next-Gen team to build understanding and practical skills. We are committed to equipping our volunteers so every individual can thrive and grow in their relationship with Christ.

Thrive is designed to support individuals of all ages! From young kiddos to adults, we want to ensure every stage of life has a pathway to get plugged into the Calvary family.

We are committed to supporting families across all of our campuses! Currently, our programming is available in the following ways:

  • Clearwater Campus: Offers our most comprehensive range of Thrive environments, specialized classes, and dedicated Buddy support.

  • East Lake Campus: Features a dedicated Thrive classroom, and we are actively expanding our team to offer additional Buddy support in general programming as well.

If you attend another campus or have specific questions about accommodations, please reach out to us HERE so we can partner with your family!

We are trained in evidence-based calming strategies and sensory supports to help participants self-regulate. However, if your loved one experiences distress and needs your familiar comfort, we will contact you immediately via phone or text so you can assist them.

Yes! Our ultimate goal is inclusion, not separation. We want individuals with special needs to take part in everything happening at Calvary, utilizing our buddy system and environments to make that experience comfortable and meaningful for them.

Yes! We want getting here to be as stress-free as possible. We offer dedicated Thrive parking right near the entrance. When you arrive, simply let one of our parking volunteers know that you need Thrive parking, and they will gladly direct you to the best spot.

Ready to make a difference? Email our Ministry Director HERE to schedule a casual chat by phone or on-site during our Sunday or Wednesday service times. We’ll help you find the volunteer role that best matches your gifts—whether serving as a one-on-one Buddy or assisting in one of our dedicated Thrive classrooms!

Interested in Serving?

If you’d like to be a part of what God is doing through our Thrive Ministry, we’d love to connect with you! Please contact us below, and a member of our team will reach out to help you take the next step.