Blog

Hi there! We’re the leadership team behind Wonderfully Made—a movement that transforms underutilized church buildings into vibrant, joy-filled communities for adults with intellectual disabilities, whom we lovingly call Wonder Makers. We’ve seen firsthand how churches can become places of belonging again—where faith, friendship, and purpose come alive through something as simple as a cookie and as profound as the gospel.

We’ve successfully launched a thriving flagship chapter, equipped with training, resources, and a ready-made bakery model. We’re now helping other churches do the same—and that’s why we’ve made you this “Grocery List.” It’s everything you need to start your own Wonderfully Made chapter with confidence.

We believe the Church is uniquely called to be the answer to loneliness. Our hope? That you’ll use this list to spark transformation in your own church and city.

Thing #1: A Church with a Heart for People

You don’t need a mega-budget or a brand-new facility. What you do need is a church family that sees the Imago Dei in every person—and is ready to say yes to building a culture of belonging. Why this matters: Wonderfully Made chapters flourish when a church embraces adults with intellectual disabilities not as a charity project, but as co-creators of community. You’ll need space (think fellowship hall, kitchen, and classroom), pastoral support, and at least one champion who will shepherd the vision. What to do: Bring your leadership team together. Cast the vision. Share a cookie. Visit an existing chapter if you can. You’ll know pretty quickly if the Spirit is stirring.

Thing #2: Volunteers Ready to Wonder

Volunteers are the heartbeat of every Wonderfully Made chapter. They bake. They laugh. They listen. Most importantly, they show up with love and consistency. Why this matters: Adults with intellectual disabilities thrive on routine and relationship. That means a committed, trained volunteer team isn’t optional—it’s essential. What to do: Use our Volunteer Training Video Library to equip your team with confidence and clarity. Make time for team bonding, story sharing, and prayer. This isn’t just service—it’s friendship in action.

Thing #3: A Bakery that Builds Bridges

Cookies are more than cookies around here. They’re joy wrapped in cellophane. They’re visibility and dignity. They’re how the community meets your chapter—and meets your Wonder Makers. Why this matters: Every chapter receives access to Made Wonderfully Goods—our proprietary dough, branded packaging, and bakery support. This social enterprise model builds purpose, revenue, and connection.

What to do: Set up a kitchen space that meets your local health requirements (we’ll help with licensing). Host community bake sales, offer cookie subscriptions, and invite your church members to taste the mission. Let the cookies open doors.

Thing #4: A Toolkit That Works

Starting something new can feel overwhelming—but you’re not alone. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned and packed it into one easy-to-use Church Playbook. Why this matters: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. You just need the right steps, the right support, and the right heart. And we’ve got all three ready for you. What to do: Walk through the Church Playbook with your planning team. Use the branded journals, devotionals, Wonder Maker profiles, and care plans we’ve developed. Stay connected to our coaching team and national community for ongoing encouragement.

You don’t have to be a big church. You just have to be a willing church.
You already have the most important ingredient—compassion. And we believe that with a handful of the right tools, you can become a chapter that brings belonging and joy to those who’ve been too often overlooked.

So here’s to you, Wonder Starter. Let’s bake up something beautiful together.

If you have questions or want to take your first step, reach out to us anytime at kelly@wonderfullymadecommunity.org. We can’t wait to welcome you into this growing family.