The Accessible Church

3 August 2025

by Pastor Frank Liu - Mandarin Congregation Pastor

Not long ago, an elderly man in a wheelchair came to visit our Mandarin congregation. However, when he arrived at the entrance, there was no accessible ramp or lift, and he couldn’t get inside. In the end, he had no choice but to go home, having spent over an hour on the road for nothing. That moment caused us to reflect: shouldn’t the church be a place where everyone can freely access?

In Acts 3, we read about a lame man who also had no access to the temple, not merely because of his physical disability, but because the religious culture and societal realities of the time had made the temple inaccessible to people like him. His exclusion wasn’t just physical; it reflected a deeper, systemic lack of access to the presence of God. But when Peter, in the name of Jesus Christ, healed him, the man was finally able to access the temple, walking, leaping, and praising God. Jesus makes the place of worship truly accessible, not only in a physical sense, but spiritually and relationally as well.

One of the key motivations behind our church’s Master Plan is to improve our physical facilities, so that everyone can access our church easily, regardless of age or physical condition.

But the true Accessible Church is not only about buildings. We as brothers and sisters in Christ also need to open our hearts and eyes, growing in genuine acceptance, thoughtful care, and warm hospitality. In doing so, we make sure that everyone who steps into our church can truly experience Central Baptist Church as a spiritual home, a place where they are loved, welcomed, and deeply respected.