By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer
COVINGTON, La. (LBM) – Will Robinson was a young man of few words but his impact on those he encountered was immeasurable.
Robinson, who died, June 7, at age 24, was born without the ability to speak. Still, his parents refused to let that stop him from living life to its fullest. In turn that mindset led to the creation, two years after his birth, of the “Special Friends Ministry” to individuals with special needs and their families with First Baptist Church, Covington.
Glynn Robinson, who serves as missions and evangelism pastor with FBCC, said he and his wife, Melinda, miss their son, but are thankful for the joy he brought to their family and community.
“There’s no way to physically account for it, but you just give God the glory because He is always drawing people and used a guy like Will and our family,” Glynn Robinson told the Baptist Message. “We now have to keep honoring that legacy and God will show us a very clear pathway forward.”
While the Special Friends Ministry officially began in 2003, the church already ministered to families of children with special needs. When Will was born, the Robinsons, along with a dedicated group of volunteers, were led to organize a ministry geared to that demographic, with 10 people attending.
Through the years, the church added classes on Sundays for individuals with special needs, a “Yes We Can!” annual festival and expo, summer camp and the Tim Tebow Night to Shine prom for individuals with special needs. In 2017, the church hired its fi rst Special Friends Ministry coordinator, Pat Bourgeois.
“We are so happy Pastor Glynn and Melinda shared Will with us in the Special Friends Ministry,” she said. “We were able to learn more about him while connecting with him on an individual level. We could always hear Will coming down the hall to be with us. He could let us know in his own way what he wanted. He would inspire the volunteers when he said their name and bring a tear to the eyes when he would reach for a hand to hold. We repeated prayers and Bible stories to him, and his reward was watching a movie. We miss Will in Special Friends but look forward to seeing him running, jumping and welcoming us to Heaven.”
Melinda Robinson said she appreciated Will’s impact on others.
“None of this was a surprise to God,” she said. “He knew how Will’s life was going to be, and he made us better people. Our girls are so strong and have such compassion for others from having Will as a sibling. Will took the life that that God gave him, and he lived it very well. We’re so proud of him for fulfilling the purpose that God had laid out for him.
“God doesn’t see limitations and He used Will in a very powerful way,” she continued. “He had his struggles, and we had days that were very di cult. But at the end of the day, we know this was God’s plan all along. ere were days that we didn’t feel like we were equipped, but God always was faithful to equip us for whatever hit us that day.”
Glynn Robinson said he was thankful for a church that embraced their son and family.
“I don’t think people can sometimes see the value of special needs children in the world, but in God’s Kingdom we can clearly see their value,” he said. “And so, we’re just so honored to be part of a church who not only shares the love of Jesus with these kids but also actually ministers to their families. There’s not been a moment that we haven’t felt loved.”
