Joni And Friends Ministry Podcast

Stacy DeWitt is the Executive Director of James Storehouse, a community-based non-profit established in 2012. She works daily with an outstanding volunteer team to meet emergency needs to help expedite cases and ease transitions for children and families. By offering essential support to foster children—including those with disabilities—James Storehouse helps to break multi-generational cycles of abuse, neglect, and poverty.Stacy is bilingual and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts/ Spanish. She has done graduate work at California Lutheran University and Fuller Theological Seminary. Stacy has three children ranging in age from fourteen to twenty-four. She is also an adoptive mother and has had the great joy of being a foster mother as well. She considers it the highest honor to fight for justice and to be a strong voice for the voiceless and most vulnerable in her community.Located in Newbury Park, California, James Storehouse partners with local public and private child welfare agencies. From cr

What is grace and how can it change your life? In this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series, Joni shares how grace has flowed through her life in a transformational way.When Joni broke her neck in a diving accident and became paralyzed at age 17, she discovered grace like never before—as light piercing through the darkness of her despair and sin, bringing joy and healing to her life, and illuminating the path ahead. Now, decades later, Joni can personally attest to the mighty power of God’s grace—not only in her own life but in the kingdom work of Joni and Friends, which brings Gospel hope to people around the world. Joni invites you to lean on God’s grace, no matter what circumstances you face.Sign up to receive Joni’s daily devotional, which will encourage you to depend on God’s grace and take joy in his presence.Learn more about Joni and her story of God’s Amazing Grace in action.Get your copy of Joni’s book, Songs of Suffering, which will guide you through difficult times wit

Get your copy of Darby’s Children’s book, Something Scary Happened (Comfort for Children in Hard Times)Get your copy of Darby’s booklet, When Children Experience Trauma: Help for Parents and CaregiversLearn more about Darby and her workDarby Strickland is a Christian counselor who works with individuals and families facing a variety of issues. She was trained at Westminster Theological Seminary where she obtained a Masters of Divinity specialized in Counseling.  If you are a parent, grandparent, or caregiver counselor Darby wants you to know that you are just the right person to help the child or children in your life when they experience trauma. After a child endures a distressing event, a parent’s (or grandparent’s or caregiver’s) shepherding can play a vital role in the healing process—providing love and security. You can help the children you love to navigate their fears, guide them through their distress, and assist their recovery. The struggling child in your life does not need you to be an expert in tr

Millions of people throughout the world struggle with chronic pain. And in the United States alone, an estimated 20% of adults experience chronic pain. That’s around 51 million people! So if you’re listening today, there’s a chance that you live with chronic pain, just like Joni. If you are suffering in an ongoing way from physical pain, grief, isolation, or relational strife, it can be overwhelming! It’s why Joni invites you to turn to God in your pain, leaning on Bible promises and drawing on grace. When you do, the Lord can use your pain to draw you closer to him.Get your copy of Joni’s book, Songs of Suffering, which includes 25 hymns with accompanying devotions and photography designed to spark hope in hardship. Opening with a special message from hymn writers Keith and Kristyn Getty, this book is a source of comfort for anyone who needs biblical encouragement, prompting readers to seek refuge in the Lord and rejoice in his goodness.Pain and chronic illness can erode your joy like acid, and can lead you

How do you help someone who is grieving? Or, if you’re experiencing grief yourself, what do wish others knew about what helps—and what just makes things worse? Poet Emily Curtis joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about bringing hope to those who are grieving. inspire you with biblical insight and heartfelt encouragement for facing grief.Emily is the compiler and author of the bestselling book Hope in the Mourning. Featuring real life testimonies and a foreword by Joni Eareckson Tada, this book offers hope to the hurting heart and will equip you to confidently minister to the grieving. Learn what to say, what not to say, and how to effectively serve those in the deepest, darkest valleys.Get your copy today! Emily Curtis lives in North Carolina with her husband, Brent, and their four children, Micah, Avia, Malachi, and Alayah. She has a passion for ministering to hurting people and learning how to love them as Christ would. She serves at Twin City Bible Church in the nursery and music ministries. She enjoys homesc

This episode features the stories two beautiful young women, Vicki and Liz. Though they never met, God wove their lives together through a beloved purple wheelchair and the power of his grace.Vicki lived with profound disabilities. She also exuded joy and made others happy everywhere she went. When she died unexpectedly the day after Mother’s Day at 27 years old, Vicki’s parents were heartbroken beyond belief. They held on to Vicki’s beloved purple wheelchair, too grieved to let it go. But as God brought healing to their hearts, he also brought Vicki’s parents a beautiful idea: to donate their daughter’s wheelchair. According to the World Health Organization, the majority of people who need assistive technology—such as a wheelchair—have to do without. Through our Wheels for the World program, Joni and Friends changes the lives of individuals and families living with disability by hand-delivering wheelchairs and Bibles to people in need.  Each year Joni and Friends collects thousands of used wheelchairs, which

Michael Hingson, blind since birth, was born in Chicago to sighted parents who believed in raising their son with a can-do attitude. Treated like all other children in his family, Michael rode a bike, did advanced math in his head, and learned to read and write. He later went to college receiving a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physics along with a secondary teaching credential from the University of California at Irvine. Michael then enjoyed a nearly 30-year career working for high tech companies spending most of his time in management roles.Michael’s life changed dramatically on September 11, 2001, when he and his guide dog, Roselle, escaped from the 78th floor of Tower One in the World Trade Center moments before it collapsed. Soon after, Michael and Roselle were thrust into the international limelight where Michael began to share his unique survival story and 9-11 lessons of trust, courage, heroism, and teamwork. Mike has served as The National Public Affairs Director for one of the largest nonprofit

Don’t miss this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series where Joni digs into the topic of healing. Imagine you’re an athletic, ambitious teenager looking forward to starting college. It’s a hot day at the beach. On a whim, you plunge into the water and your neck snaps as your head hits the sandy bottom. Life will never be the same… After her diving accident, Joni recalls fervently asking God for healing—to walk again and regain use of her hands; to get out of bed on her own. Poring over stories of Jesus miraculously healing people, Joni waited for her miracle healing. But God had something different in mind for her.Joni had good reason to believe that God would heal her after her accident. She looked at Scriptures like Matthew 7:9–11 where God promises good gifts to his children. Wasn’t a healed spine a good gift? Why, more than five decades later, still in a wheelchair living with quadriplegia, can Joni attest to the fact that God has deeply healed her? It’s because, over years of

Philip Yancey, a renowned author and avid investigator of the mysteries of the Christian faith, joins Crystal Keating for a deep and honest conversation you won’t want to miss. No stranger to wrestling with doubt and suffering, Philip often writes about encountering God in our pain. In this episode he shares about his latest book and opens up about his own recent hardships, including diagnoses of Parkinson’s disease and cancer. He points to the life-giving truth while God may not remove our suffering, he is always faithful to redeem it.Philip Yancey is a best-selling author of more than 25 books, which have sold more than 17 million copies and been published in 50 languages. His works share from his personal experiences and exploration of the most basic questions and deepest mysteries of the Christian faith.Yancey’s recent release, Undone: A Modern Rendering of John Donne's Devotions, tells of John Donne’s confrontations with God, and combines Donne’s timeless reflections with present-day commentary.In his me

Rachel LeMaster lives with both Turner syndrome and a traumatic brain injury. But she doesn’t let her troubles keep her from pursuing God’s call on her life. In the midst of following Christ’s example, encouraging and serving others, she met her husband, Caleb. Now the two live out their Christ-centered mission to love one another and those around them, all for the glory of God. As Rachel says, “to live is to give!”Watch Rachel’s 2012 interviewResources for welcoming someone with a disability in your church Find opportunities to volunteer with Joni and Friends KEY QUESTIONS:How can you step out in faith to serve others?Where have you seen God turn struggle into celebration in your life? KEY SCRIPTURES:Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”Romans 8:28: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” You make this podcast possible! Tha

At age 23, Rachel Bailey (now Rachel Bailey LeMaster) was finishing a college certificate in nutrition and personal training. Living with a genetic condition called Turner syndrome, Rachel had weathered experiences of bullying and exclusion, but she found purpose and strength through her faith and community. Seeking ways to share the Gospel through her life, Rachel hoped to serve as a missionary one day. But all her plans got upended in 2011 when a truck smashed into her car on her way to work, causing catastrophic injuries including internal decapitation (the severing of the skull from the spine). Tune in to hear Rachel’s conversation with hosts Crystal Keating and Stephanie Daniels, exploring Rachel’s story of trauma, resilience, and discovering fresh drive to serve others in need of hope and healing.While the kind of trauma Rachel Bailey LeMaster suffered in her car accident normally results in paralysis or death, she has made a stunning recovery, which she attributes to the grace of God and the quick, ski

Tune in as host Crystal Keating talks with Stephanie Daniels, who is sharing the mic this season. Stephanie opens up about poignant aspects of her story, including the challenges navigating the disabilities of aging parents, and coping with the onset of an autoimmune disease, all while seeking God’s guidance. Don’t miss this encouraging episode that will inspire you to praise God in all circumstances and tap into the deep, peaceful joy that comes from trusting Jesus. Crystal Keating has been part of Joni and Friends for over 10 years helping the ministry answer thousands of calls, letters, and messages about disability and holding fast to hope in Jesus through life’s greatest hardships. Crystal and the Response Team offer resources, share encouragement from God’s Word, and connect those in need with Christ-honoring, disability-friendly churches. Her prayer for the Ministry Podcast is that each conversation will help listeners and their loved ones “bear much fruit” (John 15:8) in acts of love throughout the di

Don’t miss this installment of Joni Eareckson Tada’s “Heart of the Founder” series, as she shares about her experience serving on the National Council on Disability, contributing to the drafting and passage of the groundbreaking 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act.  Hear Joni’s reflection on the power of the law compared to the power of the Gospel: while the law can change discriminatory structures, the Gospel is the only thing that can change hearts, bringing about culture change that provides true belonging for people living with disability.    KEY QUESTIONS:  How can you create spaces that are accessible and inclusive for people with disability? How is Jesus calling you to love and advocate for people living with disability?   RESOURCES:Resources to help your church welcome and embrace people with disability.5 Steps to Starting a Special Needs Ministry.Irresistible Church training series minibooks featuring 12 aspects of serving families living with disability.  EPISODE SOURCES:Children with disabilities

Joel Vander Molen is a disability awareness speaker, web developer, and substitute preacher living in Iowa. When Joel was involved in a motor vehicle accident as a small child, he received a high-level spinal cord injury and became unable to breathe without assistance, losing feeling and control over anything below his shoulders. With faith in God and steadfast help from loved ones, Joel completed school and went to college, even living independently in his own dorm room. Through his decades as a quadriplegic, life hasn’t been easy, but he has learned to look to God first, trusting him in all circumstances.Get a copy of Joel’s book, The Quad Life: Unexpected Times Abound, Reliance on God a Must“God has allowed me to serve him in ways my parents and I never imagined. He has enabled me to show that anyone can be active if they choose to be. I have been given opportunity to speak with many children and adults and help them learn different perspectives, and I was able to write an entire book, just by using a mout

Vicki Zoradi returns to the podcast to share more about her story of growing in faith following a battle with severe sepsis that led to the loss of her hands and legs. In this second conversation, Vicki talks about how her faith in God and her relationships—particularly her marriage—have carried her through grief and struggle.  Through a steadfast dependence on Jesus and with the support of her family and friends, Vicki has not only found comfort to carry her through suffering; she has also discovered a new calling. Today, as an author and speaker, fitted with prosthetic arms and legs, Vicki uses her story to point others to the Gospel amid their own trials. Speaking a mighty word of Scriptural encouragement, Vicki invites you to bring your deepest griefs to Jesus, trusting him to anchor and restore your soul amid life’s storms. Learn more about Vicki ZoradiPurchase Vicki’s inspirational autobiography: Tested by Fire, Fueled by Faith  KEY QUESTIONS:How have you experienced God’s faithfulness in a time of pain

Listen as Vicki Zoradi shares her striking story of faith tested by fire. On her 60th birthday, shortly after receiving a Teacher of the Year award, Vicki was diagnosed with a seemingly harmless kidney stone. But when the kidney stone became lodged between her bladder and kidney, Vicki’s health took a frightening turn. After surviving a life-threatening bout with sepsis and the loss of her hands and legs, Vicki leaned on God to navigate through her grief and drastic life change. Since then, through a steadfast dependence on Jesus and with the support of her family and friends, Vicki has not only found comfort to carry her through suffering; she has also discovered a new calling. Today, as an author and speaker, fitted with prosthetic arms and legs, Vicki uses her story to point others to the Gospel amid their own trials.During part one of Crystal Keating’s conversation with Vicki, you’ll be encouraged to bring your most acute pains and toughest struggles to the One who can provide true, lasting hope and heali

This episode of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast packs a powerful dose of encouragement! Celeste Sharpe joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her experience living with cerebral palsy and finding deep, Christ-centered strength to become a person who can have gratitude through grief. Even when she needs encouragement herself, Celeste seeks to encourage others. Tune in for Celeste’s inspiring story about how she has been blessed to have guidance from two mothers—her biological mother, and her maternal grandmother, whom she lovingly called ‘Mom’, both of whom have pointed her to Jesus and brought her lasting joy! Celeste Sharpe serves on staff with Joni and Friends as an administrative assistant in Human Resources. When she is not working, Celeste likes to read, write poetry, and sing. She also loves to encourage others! KEY QUESTIONS:Who has encouraged you most in your faith?How can you encourage someone in the same way you would like to be encouraged today? KEY SCRIPTURES:Genesis 31:49: “May the Lord wat

Tune in for this powerful installment of Joni’s “Heart of the Founder” series. Addressing the topic of mobility, Joni Eareckson Tada draws on deep personal experience, having lived with quadriplegia for more than five decades. While a phrase like “wheelchair-bound” suggests that a wheelchair is confining, Joni can attest to the freedom that mobility equipment can bring—not only for a disabled individual but also for their family members and community. ---More than one billion people in the world live with a disability. And the majority of people who need a wheelchair have to do without. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 80 million people need a wheelchair and only 5–35% have access to one. That’s why, through Wheels for the World™, Joni and Friends changes lives by hand-delivering wheelchairs and Bibles to people with disabilities around the world. Each year Joni and Friends collects thousands of used wheelchairs, which—instead of taking up space in landfills—get restored to like-new co

Meet Dr. Benjamin Warf—a committed Christ-follower, special needs father, and pediatric neurosurgeon. Dr. Warf has followed God’s call on his life since childhood. Shaped by his experiences growing up in Appalachia with a preacher father who had physical disabilities, and his innate love for science, Ben became a doctor. Serving as a medical missionary in sub-Saharan Africa, he has pioneered new ways to treat young children with hydrocephalus and spina bifida.A neurosurgeon at Boston Children’s Hospital, professor at Harvard Medical School, and Joni and Friends board member, Dr. Warf has a passion for training the next generation of surgeons and improving access to quality care, both in the U.S. and abroad. In all aspects of his work and personal life, he brings the love of Christ to his patients, students, and family. Dr. Warf joins the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast to share his story and encourage families—fathers in particular—who live with disability. Learn more about Dr. Warf and his work:“I am motiv

When Peter Coleman set out to follow God’s call to serve as a missionary in Nicaragua, he couldn’t imagine the journey ahead. But as he faced danger, uncertainty, and life-threatening illness, Peter learned to lean on the Lord in new ways. Tune in for this episode of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast to hear Peter Coleman talk about living out God’s call and trusting Jesus through hardship. About Peter...Peter Coleman studied Sustainable International Development at Brandeis University and went on to serve as a missionary deep in the jungles of Nicaragua where he and his team faced danger and hardship every day. After contracting a severe virus similar to Dengue fever in addition to malaria, Peter spent many weeks in the hospital. The illness took a brutal toll on Peter; he lost 40 pounds, 30% of his skin, and most of his memory. Peter eventually made a full recovery and continued his thriving ministry work in Nicaragua until he sensed a clear call from God to return to the U.S. and began a new season of