Mission Efforts & Mission Society

DDM is an integrated auxiliary church and mission society. In order for DDM to make our vision a reality, we need a large network of churches joining our mission society. As a mission society, we are committed to the following Mission Efforts of DDM:

  • Residential Services
  • Navigation Services-Family Resource & Supports:  Waiver and SSI navigation services, peer support referral program, Advocacy and Education, Church Network Linkage
  • Spiritual Development of Staff and Core Team Members (Residents)
  • Providing education and information to church leaders to start new Special Needs Programs throughout Georgia.
 
  • Volunteer Mentor Program: Focus on relationships for people we serve
  • Helping Hands:  Assistance to individuals we serve, to cover unfunded Day to Day Living Expenses
  • Leap Fund:  Recreation Activities (Camp, Outings, anything fun)
  • Wishlist (Group Home needs)
  • Open new group homes in partnership with local churches

Join Mission Society

If you or your church would like to know more about DDM and how you can join our mission society, please contact Ryan Whitmire at rwhitmire@ddmga.org.

Start a Special Needs Program

If you are a church leader and are interested in starting a special needs program in your local church, please contact us at email@ddmga.org or 770-623-4899.

Ministry Board of the DDM Association of Churches:

Mr. Charles Bailey

Charles E. Bailey is an Atlanta native, and the proud father of two children, including an adult son with developmental disabilities. He and his family reside in Decatur, Georgia, and are active members of Oakhurst Baptist Church where he teaches the All Right Class, a Sunday School class for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Mr. Bailey is an attorney and registered neutral who provides alternative dispute resolution services. He also serves frequently as guardian ad litem representing the interests of children in contested custody matters. In addition to his private law practice, Mr. Bailey serves as a judge for the Decatur Municipal Court, and is the Chair of the Ethics Committee for the City of Decatur. He is past chair of the Board of Directors for Oakhurst Recovery Program, a non-profit organization that provides free residential treatment to homeless men struggling with chemical dependency. Prior to practicing law, Mr. Bailey worked for a community mental health center providing intensive case management services to people with chronic and severe mental illness. He also worked for several years in high education administration, serving as an assistant director of undergraduate admissions and later as the director of student activities for his alma mater, Vanderbilt University.

Colin Harris

Colin Harris is a retired teacher with Mercer University in the general area of religious studies. Prior to his service with Mercer, he taught at Meredith College and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in North Carolina.

He has been a member of the DDM Board of Trustees and currently serves as a Deacon and adult Sunday School teacher at Smoke Rise Baptist Church.

He and his wife, Faye (a retired elementary school teacher), have two children (both math teachers), and three grandchildren.

Rev. Bart McNiel

Rev. Bart McNiel serves as Associate Pastor at Smoke Rise Baptist Church in Stone Mountain, Georgia. Bart has been teaching and preaching in churches for more than 30 years. Prior to accepting a call to full-time Christian ministry, Bart worked as a civil defense attorney for 12 years, serving insurance and corporate clients. Bart has a B.A. from the University of Mobile in Religion & Psychology, an M.A. from Florida State University in Religion in Western Antiquity, and a J.D. from Florida State College of Law. Bart and his wife Stacey live in Snellville, GA with their two daughters ages 9 and 11. Bart enjoys day trips with his family, reading, music and movies.

Jillian Palmiotto

Jillian Palmiotto is the Pastor and Director of the Unlimited* Special Needs Ministry at Mount Paran Church in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and a master’s degree in Interrelated Special Education.

Before becoming the ministry director at Mount Paran, Jillian taught in the public school system for 12 years. In 2014, she utilized her education, experience, and guidance from the Holy Spirit, to envision and launch the Unlimited* ministry. Since its inception, the ministry has grown from 20 families to approximately 175. 

In 2016, Jillian founded the Together Conference, an annual event designed to equip ministry leaders and volunteers to launch or improve their special needs ministries. She has consulted with numerous churches across the United States, helping them to welcome people with disabilities.

Jillian has been a member of Mount Paran Church since 1997. Through the years, she has served in various roles including music ministry, facilitating Bible studies, leading middle school small groups, mentoring children and youth during summer camps and guiding families whose children, youth and young adults belong to the special needs community. Jillian serves with her husband, Anthony, and her two children, Samantha and Nicholas.

Beth Willetts

Beth Willetts is retired from the pastorate. She has served Baptist churches in Fairfax, VA, McLean, VA, Annandale, VA, and South Wales. A graduate of South Wales Baptist College, University of Wales in Cardiff, she holds degrees in Theology and Pastoral Studies. Beth is a council member of the Mid Atlantic Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and is affiliated with the Baptist World Alliance. She and her husband, Jeff, live in Stone Mountain and are the parents of three children.