About Sandra
Sandra’s Official Bio
Sandra Peoples (M.Div., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is a PhD candidate at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where her dissertation examines the history of disability inclusion in the Southern Baptist Convention over the past fifty years. She anticipates graduating in fall 2026. Sandra serves as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and at Liberty University’s School of Divinity.
In addition to her academic work, Sandra serves as disability ministry consultant for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, helping churches across the state start and strengthen disability ministries. She is a member of the SBC Disability Ministry Task Force and will participate in presenting its report at the 2026 SBC Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida. She has also partnered with Lifeway Christian Resources to develop Be All In: A Ministry Guide for Special Needs Inclusion in Children’s Ministry, a free ministry resource accompanied by training videos available at lifeway.com/specialneeds.
Sandra is the author of Accessible Church: A Gospel-Centered Vision for Including People with Disabilities and Their Families (Crossway, 2025) and Unexpected Blessings: The Joys and Possibilities of Life in a Special-Needs Family (Bethany House, 2018). Her writing has appeared in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Lifeway Research, 9Marks, and byFaith. She regularly speaks at family ministry and disability ministry conferences, including Disability and the Church, ETCH, D6, Heart of the Child, Metro, and The Together Conference, as well as state convention events. She has been interviewed on podcasts, including Focus on the Family, Lifeway’s Kids Ministry Calling, the Joni & Friends podcast, and podcasts produced by Southwestern and Southeastern seminaries.
Sandra’s commitment to disability inclusion is primarily shaped by personal experience: she grew up with a sister with Down syndrome and is the mother of a son with level 3 autism. She and her family live outside Houston, Texas, where her husband serves as a pastor, and she helps lead their church’s disability ministry.
Featured on…
Sandra’s writing has been featured by the following sites and publications.
Get to Know Sandra
Sandra and her husband Lee have two sons—David and James. Her family lives outside of Houston, TX where Lee is a pastor. You can learn more about Sandra and her family on this Focus on the Family interview Experiencing God’s Grace in a Special Needs Family.
Subscribe to Sandra’s Newsletter
Subscribe below to receive updates and new resources relevant to you. Choose between news on disability ministry resources or helpful information for families living with disability, or sign up for both!
On the first Thursday of each month, Sandra sends a newsletter focused on disability ministry resources including links to posts and podcasts she enjoyed, helpful articles, and details about her upcoming speaking and training events. Sign up here!
Each month Sandra sends a newsletter with encouragement for families raising a child with a disability. This is the place we share stories and details too personal or vulnerable for social media—the kind that hopefully make you feel less alone on this journey. Sign up today!
Resource Links
