48 Years as a Quadriplegic
In 1967, a reckless dive into shallow water completely changed my life. I was only 17 and doctors were telling me I would never be able to use my hands or legs again. Those were dark days back then — days filled with anger towards God; days when I would tell my sister, “Just close the drapes, turn off the lights, shut the...
A Talent For Hugs
For Anna Kate, spending time with Andrew was easy — even if communication was challenging. As an STM volunteer at the Murrieta Family Retreat, she was paired with Andrew, a 14-year-old boy who has autism and is non-verbal. Even though he struggled with physical pain and understanding at times, he exhibited incredible joy. Whether with water play, music, or at the playhouse, Andrew’s joyful screams, “Whoa, whoa, whoa,” could be heard across the Retreat campus. And this happy boy loved to hug everyone… even the tall...
Climbing Mt. Everest with Down Syndrome
The next time anyone tells you that you can’t do something, remind him or her that with God, all things are possible... then tell them Elisha’s incredible story! Eli Reimer has Down syndrome. He’s already an amazing teen, but he accomplished something most adults can only dream of: two years ago, at the age of 15, Eli climbed Mount Everest! This young man walked 17,600 feet up the side of...
Every Month You Can Send Help and Hope
Did you know? You can provide monthly support for the ministry work of Joni and Friends. Simply enroll in convenient automatic monthly giving. Every month, your donation will help send the Gospel to people affected by disability and change lives with the love of Jesus. Automatic monthly donations help us reduce administrative expenses while making donating faster, easier, and more secure for you! Join us in helping more people with disabilities hear the Gospel of Christ… Sign up today!
Building Bridges of Communication at Family Retreat
“It’s important to know that people with disabilities can communicate like anyone else. God made them that way for a reason,” said Cause 4 Life intern Katelyn Casey as she shared about her time at Bison Ranch Family Retreat. For her, no one illustrated this principle better than the Fass family. When Jeremy Fass was a little boy, his parents dropped him off at the Tucson Deaf School and didn’t return. Despite this heartbreaking beginning, Jeremy is an energetic husband and father of three...New Music From Joni: Let God Be God CD
Need an encouraging moment in your day? You’ll be blessed by these songs of worship and praise, performed by Joni Eareckson Tada. Available only from Joni and Friends, this is CD is a perfect addition to any music library collection. 10 tracks include, “Strength of the Lord,” “Just to Know,” “I’ve Never Been Out of His Care,” and more! Supplies are limited, so order your copy today!
Now Available! Beyond Suffering for the Next Generation
We love young people at Joni and Friends and are grateful for the important roles they play in our ministry. From those volunteering as Short Term Missionaries for Family Retreats to those serving as Cause 4 Life interns, these passionate teens live out Jesus’ model of ministry to the marginalized, including those with disabilities! That’s why we’re so excited to announce that our new course, Beyond Suffering for the Next Generation, is now available! This youth edition is based on our groundbreaking course Beyond Suffering: A Christian View on Disability Ministry, which has been translated into several languages and is being taught at universities around the world. We at the Joni and Friends’ Christian Institute on Disability believe that lasting change happens when younger generations are equipped with a biblical foundation of God’s plan for suffering and disability. Beyond Suffering for the Next Generation will prepare young leaders for life-long service in education, medicine and science...
Joni and Friends TV Special
Tune in to TBN’s Church Channel on Friday, July 17th and Friday, July 31st at 12 noon (PST) for a two hour Joni and Friends special. This personal, behind the scenes look at Joni Eareckson Tada’s life will reveal some of the challenges she faces every day, and give you the opportunity to meet people in her life who inspire and encourage her to keep on going. The Church Channel can be viewed wherever TBN is broadcast throughout the world, including on DirecTV, Dish Network, and online. Please consult your local listings for more information. Thank you for watching! A Slice of Heaven
For days, the suspense has been building. Our Cause 4 Life interns are eager to experience a “slice of heaven,” a week of fellowship and ministry that they’ll never forget. Three of our teams are serving at Family Retreat this week—the West Coast and Arizona Academies at Bison Ranch in Arizona, and the Bootcamp at Murrieta...
Global Access Conference 2015 Advances the Worldwide Disability Ministry Movement
In February, Joni and Friends hosted the first Global Access Conference, with 1,000 attendees traveling to southern California from 54 countries and 39 states. Speakers Joni Eareckson Tada, Nick Vujicic, Lon Solomon, and Dr. Charles Ware set the tone for a joyful, Spirit-filled week. Pastors, educators, and lay people from all around the world attended workshops and round table discussions. Together, they forged ...
