Ronnie Carter rose from his wheelchair and walked resolutely to the front of the sanctuary. Turning to the audience, he stirringly sang the hymn, “Jesus Loves Me.”

The 60-year-old South Richmond man has an intellectual disability. He is unable to read. But that didn’t stop him from reciting Psalm 23 from the Bible.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul …” Mr. Carter declared.

When he finished, there was not a dry eye in the sanctuary.

On this afternoon in mid-December, tissues passed freely among the rows of families, friends and community members attending Second Baptist Church’s fourth annual special needs Christmas service.

The theme: “Celebrating Life, Love and Special People.”

Like Carter, participants with special needs merrily sang, danced, mimed and performed karate exhibitions in a celebration that was as emotionally moving as it was joyous.

Performers at the Randolph neighborhood church included children as young as 6 and adults up to middle age with physical and mental challenges such as autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s Syndrome and other intellectual disabilities.

“It’s not about disability, it’s about ability,” event co-founder Monica Lucas, a Second Baptist member and special needs professional, told audience members.

She and Pam Mines, a Chesterfield County mother of two children with disabilities, organized the event to celebrate the talents of people with special needs.

Ms. Mines is the founder and president of the JP Jumpers Foundation, whose mission is to “positively impact families affected by autism, special needs and unique circumstances,” she said.

Jayla Brown, 12, enthusiastically welcomed guests at the service’s start with flash cards that read in part: “I am 90 percent non verbal. I smile, laugh and jump to express my needs and wants. Most importantly, thanks for JP Jumpers.”

Her mother, Jamilya, a single parent who works and attends school full time, was among six people to receive a “God Chose Me” award for her dedication to help people with special needs.

“God gives strength to the weary,” she tearfully told the audience. “Many days, you’re mentally tired, but you pray to him to give you strength, and he does.”

Ms. Lucas then called Cory Todd, a 25-year-old with a learning disability, to the podium to deliver reflections.

Sounding every bit the skilled preacher, he taught from Matthew 1:18-23, telling the biblical story of Jesus’ birth.

“How many of you have felt alone or are feeling alone now?” he asked. “Don’t feel alone. I also feel by myself sometimes.

“We are not alone,” he said, reminding listeners that Emmanuel means, “God with us.”

He said he still thanks God, even after his brother was murdered Sept. 15. “Though I’m going through (tough times), God is still with me,” Mr. Todd said, drawing “Amens” from some audience members.

Mr. Todd’s mother, Cynthia, another award winner, said doctors did not expect her son to survive when he was born weighing 2 pounds. She said he underwent 12 surgeries soon after birth and his disability went undiagnosed by school psychiatrists and teachers.

“Look around this room and see how amazing and awesome God is,” she said.

“God sends us special people so we can remember his love,” she added.

A diverse array of performers brought the audience to its feet time and time again with rousing applause.

Among the highlights:

• Teen middle school honor roll student Sydnee Baker, who has the genetic disorder Neurofibromatosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and is blind in her left eye, mimed to the gospel song, “But God.”

• Jamaar Sheppherd, a wheelchair-bound 26-year-old with cerebral palsy, wowed the audience as he enthusiastically sang, “I Believe I Can Fly,” with his arms raised.

• Grace Bourne, a middle-aged woman with an intellectual disability, shouted, “This is the best Christmas present I’ve ever had!” as she took her seat at the organ to play, “Oh Holy Night.”

• Elegantly dressed Brittany Sweet of Maryland, a 21-year-old with Down syndrome, then charmed the audience with “I Believe” by Fantasia Barrino.

• Dapperly attired Kyle Jones, a 19-year -old with cerebral palsy and a first-year student majoring in business administration at Virginia Commonwealth University, was then presented a “God Chose Me” award.

“It just keeps getting better and better,” Ms. Lucas and Ms. Mines alternately told audience members as the stirring performances continued.

Members of the Miracles in Motion dance troupe of children and adults with special needs, described by Ms. Lucas as “the hottest ticket in town,” dazzled the audience as 22-year-old Jordan Hagan danced to the “Zoot Suit Riot” and 6-year-old Taylor Carpenter shimmied to “Baby, I’m a Star.”

Nine other dancers in the troupe with various disabilities then energetically performed to “Let It Snow” and “Let It Go,” and founder Kim Moncrief then was presented an award.

Young brothers Kody, Max and Nick Reyna, two with autism and one undiagnosed, joyfully serenaded the audience with “Jesus Loves Me.” Later, Khristopher Stewart and Trent Callaham, both with autism, demonstrated their karate skills, with Khristopher breaking three boards using his hands and feet.

Ms. Mines was honored for her advocacy for the disabled and for working to get a bill passed by the General Assembly last year known as “J.P.’s Law,” named for her son, that would allow DMV Virginia to add a code to driver’s licenses and other IDs to help law enforcement officers be aware of an individual’s diagnosis.

Her son, a 12-year-old with autism and ADHD, concluded the service with a performance of “Is This the End” by New Edition.

His 12-year-old sister, Michelle, supported the special needs event throughout by skillfully praise dancing to several songs.

A reception followed.