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Stories from around the synod JONI AND FRIENDS/GATEWAY – In mission with individuals and churches in Central States Synod, ELCA, to reach out and touch the lives of those affected by a disability for Christ. Today, there are more than 600 million disabled people worldwide who long for the hope found only in Jesus. Closer to home, approximately 8% of the U.S. population is affected by a disability. In response to this need, Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 to minister to individuals and families affected by a disability. Obedient to Jesus’ words, the mission of “Joni and Friends” is: “To proclaim the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disabilities.” Education and resources is provided through their ministry called “Through the Roof” to churches and schools and equipment is provided to the disabled by their “Wheels for the World” ministry. In Central States Synod, several churches are active in increasing awareness and providing support for those who are disabled in conjunction with Joni and Friends. One way is through using Joni and Friend’s church curriculum resource for elementary students (ages 4-12) called: “On a Roll for Jesus”. This program is designed to give students new eyes when it comes to persons with disabilities and fresh excitement about their role in the mission of the church. Through this curriculum, students learn about children and their respective countries from around the world and see how the Joni and Friends ministry is providing wheelchairs and evangelizing to them. After completion of this unit, one pastor commented: “I’ve never seen kids so fired up about missions!” In 2006, children from 9 metro St. Louis, MO churches and schools (including Gethsemane Lutheran Church, St. Louis, MO and Zion Lutheran Church, Ferguson, MO), used the “On a Roll for Jesus” curriculum and raised enough funds to provide twelve wheelchairs to those in need around the world ($1800). One may ask: “Where does the equipment come from that is distributed to those in need?” Used equipment is donated to the ministry directly to Joni and Friends or indirectly through equipment drives at churches. The donated equipment is collected by teams of volunteers throughout Central States Synod and beyond. Wheelchairs are transported to and refurbished at prisons through a work program. Two prisons located in Ellsworth, KS and Toronto, KS are part of this program. In 2007, Wheels for the World will distribute over 6,000 wheelchairs to children and adults in sixteen countries. For more information or to become involved in this ministry effort, contact the Joni and Friends –Gateway regional office at 314-522-6908, 877-522-6908 (toll free), or gateway@joniandfriends.org. Thank you to for your support to help minister to those affected by a disability. Gary Voss “Go out quickly…bring in the poor and maimed and blind and lame…that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:21, 23 |