Project: Joni and Friends
Leader: Bret Welshymer
Mobilize the global church to evangelize, disciple, and serve people living with disability.
Continue to implement a global plan that builds geographically localized networks of churches that inspire, train, and mobilize the Church worldwide to build a culture that embraces individuals and families affected by disabilities as an indispensable part of the body of Christ. Churches that are for, with, and by people affected by disability whereby relationships, that is belonging, supersede programs. This strategy includes evaluating church traditions for inclusiveness, exploring how people are valued by the church in light of a biblical worldview, understanding the importance of belonging—being wanted and needed, engaging those with disabilities without any preconceptions, and the role that obedience to God’s Word plays in changing the culture of a church. Training resources that center around a biblical worldview on disability and a 5-stage process of church culture change are central to building and supporting the 36 networks established in the past two years.
The nearly 1 billion people around the world living with disabilities encounter culturally entrenched physical and social barriers that prevent them from finding a place of belonging in the body of Christ. Many of these individuals and their families live in poverty, pain, and despair.
To provide the best experience, we use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.