DHM is Disciples Hands-on Missions

Kaye Edwards

Kaye Speakes Edwards, born in Paris, Ky., has been a member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) all of her life. She graduated from Lynchburg College in 1970, with a B.A. degree in sociology and religious studies, and from Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Ky., in 1980, with a M.Div. in Pastoral Care.

She was ordained to the Christian Ministry at Antioch Christian Church, Lexington, Ky. in 1980. Currently she lives in Lynchburg, Va., with her husband, David, who is minister of Church of the Covenant - UCC/Disciples. Kaye and David have two adult children, Kent and Shelley.

Kaye has spent much of her professional life working with children with special needs and their families. In Boston, Mass., she worked as a play therapist on the Psychosomatic Unit of Boston Children's Hospital. While in Lexington, Ky., she directed a program to meet the educational and social needs of children with profound and multiple handicapping conditions. After the arrival of her two children, Kaye worked from her home as the Director of the Lexington Mother to Mother Program. Mother to Mother is a national ecumenical program designed to bring together, in mutual supportive friendship, women from different ethnic, social and economic backgrounds.

Kaye has also served as the Children's Advocate in a shelter for abused women and as the Family Life Education Coordinator for a family service organization. As a volunteer, she has worked with Parents Anonymous, Adults Molested as Children, Special Olympics, and Youth Services.

Before being called as Director of Family and Children's Ministries in 1996, Kaye served as the Associate Minister for Christian Education and Youth at First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Lynchburg, Va.

Kaye's responsibilities at DHM include: 

• Local church and regional consultations on all matters related to children and family ministries;
• Information and assistance with AIDS ministry;
• Information and assistance with worship, fellowship and education programs for children and their families;
• Information on Kids to Kids: A children's mission project;
• Information on Disciples Care for Children, Light a Candle for Children and other child advocacy programs in the church and beyond the church doorsteps;
• Resources and assistance with family ministries;
• Training and sustaining the Children Worship & Wonder program;
• Sexuality Education - training and referral information;
• Creating child friendly spaces at general and regional events;
• Information on development of Child Protection Policies; safe nurseries and ways to include children in the whole life of congregations;
• Represent the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Denomination on various National Council of Christian Churches Committees.