Building Belonging : Jess Berryhill

Kim reunites with her friend, Jess Berryhill! They first met a few years ago at a conference, where we were thrown together to help lead a meetup—and the rest is history. Jess is the student and disability minister at Mount Pleasant Church in Terre Haute, Indiana, and the work she’s doing is nothing short of incredible. She started out as a youth pastor, but when a handful of students with disabilities and neurodivergence started coming to her ministry, everything changed. Today, she leads a thriving community that gathers over 100 students each week! In this episode, Jess shares the unexpected journey that led her from studying experimental psychology to discovering her true calling in ministry. She tells the powerful story of Nick—a student with autism whose presence completely reshaped her approach to youth ministry. What started as an attempt to meet one student’s needs has now grown into something far bigger than she ever imagined. They talk about the challenges, the creativity, and the moments of transformation that have shaped Jess’s ministry, and how we can all play a role in creating spaces where every student belongs. Every Child Belongs explores how we can create spaces where every child feels heard and valued, whether neurodivergent, differently abled, or they've experienced trauma. We'll hear from educators, parents, professionals, and more. Kim Botto is an adoptive mom, grandma, an advocate for kids and teens with disabilities, as well as a long-time leader of kids in student ministries.