History
Embracing the indispensABLE, becoming complete.
Thirty years ago, Sam Stone was the editor of the Christian Standard at Standard Publishing, next door to Mount Healthy Christian Home. One morning, on his way to visit with his parents, he spoke to another resident in the hall Marjorie Broxon. She had cerebral palsy and was in a wheelchair. Marjorie spoke slowly and with difficulty; she was often hard to understand. They chatted for a few minutes like they usually did, and he started to go on to see his parents. Then she said, “You know I like it here. There are good folks operating the home. But all of the other residents here are a lot older than me and I don’t have a chance to do many things I’m able to do and want to do. I wish our churches provided a home to help handicapped people.” “Well, yes, that would be nice,” Sam agreed, “but you know it would take a lot of money to build a facility like that.” Without hesitation she responded, “It took a lot of money to build Mount Healthy Home, too.”
So, in 1981, at the North American Christian Convention, several men met with Sam Stone to discuss what the Restoration Movement should do to help people with disabilities and their families. Needing someone to oversee and lead this work, the group hired Dr. Jim Pierson from the East Tennessee Rehabilitation Center for Children as the first director. Here is a picture (upper right) from an article written in the Christian Standard by Sam Stone. The picture is of Dr. Pierson teaching at the NACC in 1983. The Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped (now Ability Ministry) was chartered in 1983 in the state of Kentucky. Property was purchased in Louisville, Tennessee, with one existing house on the property. was built on our present property and the first resident moved into the house in August, 1986 and the house became a home. The original structure (Riverwood II) was remodeled and ready for residents in 1993.
Who We Are
As an independent Christian non-profit ministry, we strive to enhance the lives of persons affected with disabilities by providing services for persons with developmental disabilities, including residence, job placement, opportunities for social interaction and spiritual growth. We seek partnership with individuals, churches, and other organizations to meet the physical and spiritual needs of persons with disabilities. We also work to enable others through training, resources, and encouragement to effectively minister. We also manage two residential facilities for adults with disabilities, one in Missouri and the other in Tennessee.
Our Faith
We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the Word is divided into two parts; the Old and New Testaments. This is the exclusive and final authority of God. We believe in only one true and living God who is the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He is our Savior and the only way to the Father. We believe our salvation comes through the Grace of God. And while we can do nothing ourselves to warrant salvation, we believe we receive that gift through faith in Christ, a repentance of sin, confessing Christ as Lord, and being immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Our Mission