1.3 billion people around the world are impacted by disabilities around the world.
Let that sink in for a moment.
I was privileged to participate in a great movement on the rise within the Body of Christ. Special Needs Ministry, or Disability Ministry, is a calling for every Church and Christian organization. I believe this: if someone is passionate about making God’s name known, allow them to shine. God calls even the weakest individuals to have a strong influence in advancing the Gospel. Matthew 28:18-20 provides a mandate from God to go and make disciples of all nations. Having a disability does not automatically give a person with disabilities a golden ticket to Heaven. Therefore, Church leaders and Pastors must realize that the Disability Community needs the Hope of Jesus.
I am thankful that I have friends who invested in my life. Despite all odds, I had friends who showed me the love of God and the gift of the Gospel. One of the profound statements that I love so much comes from Joni Eareckson Tada. She states:
“‘Disability ministry is not disability ministry unless the disabled are ministering.”
This is Disability Ministry. As a person who once doubted the existence of God because I didn’t think God could heal me, I can admit that I was wrong. There is a God who opens His arms to everyone who seeks salvation, and He is the only one that offers true comfort.
Disability and the Church 2025 gave me a home. It gave me a family in ministry that I can come alongside to make God’s name known. God has allowed me to step out in faith to tell the world about Who He is. God, through His Word, reminds me that I am not alone. My disability is temporary because of what is ahead for me in Heaven. Revelation 21:4 states:
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (ESV).
This verse is my hope to keep going!
Likewise, it is my prayer that whoever reads this will know that there is a God who loves you. There is a God who sees you past your struggles and disabilities. The God of the Universe is waiting for you with arms wide open for you to receive His gift of eternal life.
My life is a testament to who God is and what He can do. I am thankful that I have a Friend like Jesus in this journey called life. I am thankful that Jesus died for my sins on the Cross and rose again after the third day. I am thankful that God has orchestrated something beautiful through my mess for others to see.
Disability is only when a person chooses to stay idle and not do anything about it. Thank you to the church community that embraces the disability communities. Thank you for teaching us the love of Jesus to access the Gospel. Luke 14:1-23 is a lesson for all Church leaders and pastors:
“The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.’ ‘Sir,’ the servant said, ‘what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.’ “Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in so that my house will be full” (ESV).
In closing, too many lives are at stake for the Church to stand still. Jesus did not save us so we could stay in our comfort circles. Instead, Jesus calls us to be the hands and feet of the Gospel to all people including the disabled.
