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EQUIPPING THE CHURCH
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I have spent so much of my time living with a disability trying to avoid “being a burden” to others. I have answered, “I’m fine” when my soul was screaming, “I’m not sure I can make it another moment;” I have tried to manage my own accessibility concerns instead of inconveniencing others; and I have been ashamed when I haven’t been able to achieve that all-important 21st century ideal of independence.
Read MoreChris Hulshof writes about how churches can reach individuals and families affected by special needs because for disability ministry to be effective it needs to be shaped by a verbal, visual, and vulnerable witness.
Read MoreI have spent so much of my time living with a disability trying to avoid “being a burden” to others. I have answered, “I’m fine” when my soul was screaming, “I’m not sure I can make it another moment;” I have tried to manage my own accessibility concerns instead of inconveniencing others; and I have been ashamed when I haven’t been able to achieve that all-important 21st century ideal of independence.
Read MoreThis week, I celebrated my 9th anniversary of being blind. Some may read that sentence and wonder why I said “celebrated.” But in fact, I celebrate the day that I was admitted to the ER with a rare autoimmune condition (TENS) that eventually led to my vision impairment every year. Most of the time, my “TENS-iversary” celebration includes a fancy dinner, enjoying the warm glow of sunset, reflecting on what God has done through the years as we scroll through pictures and journal entries, and creating an “ebenezer” to commemorate what God has done.
Read MoreThe weekend of July 23rd, 2021, The Banquet Network partnered with the BCMD (Baptist Convention of Maryland and Delaware) to put on Celebrate Abilities Weekend Camp for children and young adults with disabilities. The camp was hosted at the Skycroft Baptist Convention Center in Middletown, MD. To say it was a blast is an understatement. This was the first time in The Banquet Network and BCMD history that a camp was held for individuals who have disabilities.
Read MoreI hear several loud knocks on our churches side entrance door. “Buster is here!” I yell in a sing song voice. Buster came to our church as “the guy in the wheelchair.” But it didn’t take long for our church to see he was much more than the guy in the wheelchair. He was the guy who fist bumped new visitors. He was the guy who asked how you were doing and really wanted to know how you were actually doing. The guy who got my kids Christmas and birthday presents and always prayed for my family. The guy who gave God all the glory and shared his testimony to anyone who would listen.
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