Joni And Friends Ministry Podcast

Like most parents, Steve Bundy was not expecting his child to be born with a disability. Following Caleb’s diagnosis of partial chromosome deletion, Steve felt so alone – he didn’t know where to turn or who would understand. On this week’s episode, he shares a father’s perspective on a road that few parents would choose to travel. But, as Steve eventually discovered, it's a road that has a destination. He talks with Crystal about the hardest, most painful, and most joyful years he could have imagined, and the courage and healing he found through his son’s disability. If you’re a parent, especially a father wrestling with fears and doubts about your child, know that you are not alone. Listen to Steve’s encouragement and advice for any father, then download a free chapter of his book, Another Kind of Courage, co-authored by Doug Mazza. Find Another Kind of Courage at www.joniandfriends.org/podcast Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17

“Respite is for the parents and for the kids. It’s for the whole family to really have an opportunity to just come to a church and know that the church genuinely wants them to be there.” -Gina Spivey, Disability Ministry Leader Families or caregivers who have children with disabilities are often isolated, exhausted, and grieving. It's so invaluable when there is a place for kids to just be themselves, for caregivers to have a break, and for the church to serve well. Listen as Crystal Keating talks with ministry leaders Gina Spivey and Bret Welshymer about how they use respite events as an opportunity to minister to families impacted by disability in their church. They share the importance of respite and practical encouragement and advice for how you can put on a respite event. No matter how large or small, your church can provide this time of refreshment as a way to welcome and embrace families impacted by disability. For more practical advice and tools to execute a successful respite event, download the free

When Shauna arrived at the doctor’s office for her four-month ultrasound, the question on her mind was what color to paint the nursery. But after an unexpected diagnosis of Down syndrome, she and her husband left with more questions than answers. “I pinched myself. I literally pinched myself. The one and only time I’ve done that in my life. Because it was so surreal. This is not supposed to be happening to me. This is not supposed to be happening to my baby.” Where do we turn when it seems that God has given us more than we can handle? Today on the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast, Crystal is celebrating World Down Syndrome Day with Shauna Amick, the mother of a now teenage daughter with Down Syndrome. Listen as Shauna shares her heartaches, joys, and why today she can genuinely celebrate World Down Syndrome Day. Download the free booklet From Fear to Hope at www.joniandfriends.org/podcast Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years

One of the places where families impacted by disability should feel most welcomed is at church. But when it comes to building an inclusive environment, people and churches often struggle with where to begin. Today on the podcast, Crystal talks with two ministry experts, Liz Babbitt and Lauren Garner, who discuss what it means to really welcome someone with a disability. Listen as they talk through some of the barriers and challenges you may be facing at your church, and the first steps you can take to bridge the gap and include all people. When it comes to disability ministry, you don’t need to be an expert, you just need a willing heart. Download the free eBook Start with Hello at www.joniandfriends.org/podcast Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. Over the past 40 years

More than 70 million people around the world are in need of a wheelchair, but only 10% have access to one.* During March, Joni and Friends is celebrating Wheelchair Collection Month to bring awareness to this need and help solve the global mobility crisis. Today, Crystal Keating talks with Elizabeth Kelly who oversees wheelchair collection for the Joni and Friends Wheels for the World program. Elizabeth shares how God redeems thousands of broken and discarded wheelchairs every year, turning them into a beautiful gift for people in desperate need around the world. And you can get involved – hear how you can help recycle and redeem wheelchairs right in your community. Whether you help by spreading the word, donating a wheelchair, or collecting used wheelchairs in your community, you can make a global impact! *Statistic from the World Health Organization www.who.int/phi/implementation/assistive_technology/wheelchair-publications/en/ Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving acci

There’s a difference between ministering to someone who has a disability and really doing life with them. While barriers like staircases and narrow doorways may keep someone with a physical disability from entering a space, there are other barriers that keep them from genuine, deep friendship. How can we take steps to tear down walls that isolate someone from community when they have a disability? How can we build true mutual friendships? Today on the podcast, Crystal Keating is talking about friendship with Tracey Motoda, her good friend who has Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and is a wheelchair user. We all want to be known and have relationships with other people, so listen as Crystal and Tracey share ways that you can really do life with a friend impacted by disability – what it means to have a deep, mutual friendship. Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen ta

You don’t really know a person until you’ve heard their story. For so many families impacted by disability, that story includes unique challenges and demands that can be exhausting and relentless. Responsibilities are often 24/7 in order to meet the needs of a child, spouse, or grandparent with a disability. Today on the podcast, Crystal talks with Sib Charles and Candy Nixon, two people who understand first-hand the need for support. How can you come alongside a family impacted by disability? How can you advocate? How can the church embrace families in need of support beyond Sunday morning programs? Sib and Candy use their personal experiences and years of serving in disability ministry through Joni and Friends to offer practical, even simple ways that anyone can welcome and embrace a family impacted by disability. Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, re

In the middle of his successful career in the biotech industry, Kevin Stark unexpectedly became a quadriplegic. A few years later, he met his lovely wife, Jamie, and they fell in love. On this special Valentine’s Day episode of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast, Kevin and Jamie Stark give honest insight about marriage and the role that disability plays in their relationship. They share what it really means for any couple to say “for better, for worse…in sickness and in health…till death do us part.” Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. Over the past 40 years, the ministry has grown to serve thousands of people impacted by disability worldwide: Joni and Friends has delivered 150,000 wheelchairs and Bibles through Wheels for the World and provided Christian care to 63,

Walking a mile in someone’s shoes is a great way to understand their personal struggles and perspectives. While Tracey Motoda and Scott Bankhead don’t put that much wear on their actual shoes (they are both wheelchair users), we can certainly gain a lot of perspective from their own personal experiences of living and working in a wheelchair. In part 2 of their conversation with Crystal, Tracey and Scott reflect on some of the challenges they have faced because of their physical disabilities. And it’s not just battling staircases, they share ways to break down the visible and invisible barriers that may be keeping anyone from fully experiencing friendship with people impacted by disability. Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. Over the past 40 years, the ministry has grow

Do you have questions about disability etiquette? You may have heard the “do’s and don’ts” of communication and interaction, but what is someone with a disability really looking for? In part 1 of our Crystal’s conversation about disability etiquette, she talks with her friends Tracey Motoda and Scott Bankhead, both wheelchair users with physical disabilities. They share personal experiences – what has been helpful and what has been hurtful – as well as ways to identify and remove the barriers and misunderstandings about having a relationship with someone who has a disability. Learn how you can build genuine friendships with people impacted by disability in your community. Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. Over the past 40 years, the ministry has grown to serve thousan

How do you respond to those who believe some lives are just not worth living? In this bonus episode, Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder of Joni and Friends and a 51-year veteran of life in a wheelchair joins Nick Vujicic, Founder of Life Without Limbs, and Katherine Wolf, former model, young mother, and stroke survivor, to talk about the intrinsic value of every life. As sanctity of life is questioned for the elderly, those with catastrophic disabilities, people with psychiatric disorders, and more, these 3 ministry leaders, each with different abilities and disabilities, share that all life is valuable. Whether life is found in a womb or in a wheelchair, it has value because we are all made in the image of God! Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. Over the past 40 years, the

For our first episode, host Crystal Keating sits down with Joni Eareckson Tada, Founder and CEO of Joni and Friends, to talk about insights Joni's gained from 51 years as a quadriplegic in a wheelchair and 40 years of leading a growing ministry for people with disabilities. Joni also shares how she’s holding on to hope following a second cancer diagnosis and practical ways that encourage her – tangible tips you and your church can also use to encourage someone going through a health or disability-related challenge. Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. Over the past 40 years, the ministry has grown to serve thousands of people impacted by disability worldwide: Joni and Friends has delivered 150,000 wheelchairs and Bibles through Wheels for the World and provided Christia

On the new Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast, we’re answering real questions about disability. Each week, host Crystal Keating is sitting down with a special guest or ministry expert to explore creative and practical ways to embrace and include people with disabilities in our churches and communities. Find resources mentioned on the podcast: www.joniandfriends.org/podcast Crystal Keating has been part of Joni and Friends for 5 years helping Joni Eareckson Tada answer thousands of calls, letters, and messages about disability, chronic illness, and holding fast to the hope we have in Christ through life’s greatest hardships. She is also a graduate student studying marriage and family counseling.