Through the Roof Academy (Part 4)

Donna Hughes

Debra Petermann

Joni and Friends is an international disability center that focuses on ministering to people with disabilities and their families. Throughout this presentation, Debra and Donna outline the numerous programs given through the organization, which include Family Retreats, Through The Roof, Wheels for the World, and Special Delivery. They also offer equipping materials for individuals who are interested in starting similar minded ministries and programs in their own churches.

ACCESS Ministry: Serving the Disabled at Xenos

Ephesians 4:16

This workshop explains the motivation and the work behind ministries that serve the disabled at Xenos. We are all created equal in God's image, and we are all important parts of the body of Christ. Therefore, this group leads a multitude of programs such as: an Oasis Children's Program, the Young Adult Adapted Bible Study, home church liaison, and sign language interpreting in order to help meet the needs and incorporate members of the church who may have disabilities. At the end of the presentation, there is a panel discussion of volunteers in these programs.

Through the Roof Academy (Part 2)

Donna Hughes

Debra Petermann

Mark 7:31-35

How do you being and grow a disability ministry in your church? This second part covers practical steps on how to begin and structure a disability ministry including praying for a vision, and how to start recruiting leaders for this ministry. Donna and Debra suggest getting a buddy classroom program started, this helps promote inclusion in the classroom and shows that God loves all children. Find out steps to take for getting volunteers to serve, who to serve, and what it looks like. This is the second part of a 4 part series.\r\n

Through the Roof Academy (Part 1)

Donna Hughes

Debra Petermann

John 9:1-3

What does it look like to begin and grow a disability ministry in your church? This first part covers some basic statistics of disabilities; including numbers on how many people are effected by disabilities in this country and the percentage of churches that offer a specific ministry to serve in this area. Donna and Debra give a basis for a disability ministry, and give you insight on the family perspective as well. Plus they cover many myths associated with disabilities and what the correct truths about starting a ministry like this are. This is the first part of a 4 part series on this topic.\r\n

Through the Roof Academy (Part 3)

Donna Hughes

Debra Petermann

John 9:1-3

How can you being and grow a disability ministry in your church? This part covers how to prepare the heart of your church to welcome all. Donna and Debra suggest having a specific Sunday focused on people with disabilities. They say it: 1. changes the heart of the congregation and prepares them for ministry with people affected by disabilities, 2. Jesus displayed great compassion for people who generally experienced rejection from society, 3. as you intentionally highlight people with disabilities, you publicly acknowledge that life at each stage is valuable. This is the third part in a 4 part series.\r\n

Greatness and the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 9:30-35

Throughout his ministry, Jesus' disciples could not grasp the paradox of his ultimate power manifested in ultimate weakness. When the disciples argue about which is the greatest, Jesus teaches that those who are servants will be considered the greatest. Instead of seeking worldly greatness, followers of Jesus can seek a greatness for the gospel.

Sufficiency of the Gospel

Jim Leffel

John 6:26-35

When Jesus feeds 5,000 men and their families, he teaches those around him about his answer to the real limits and real demands of people. He also teaches them three truths about discipleship: 1) it's not about you; 2) the energizing effect of participation; and 3) the abundant life that Jesus gives. He is able to abundantly meet the real spiritual hunger of anyone who believes in him.

What Can We Do?

Dennis McCallum

2 Corinthians 8

What can we do when the face of poverty is visible all around us? There are many people who barely have enough to eat and little means to turn their lives around. Giving 5 dollars to the person with a sign on the corner is just hardening our heart to the poor so we don't have to think deeper on why they are there. Jesus encourages us to treat our neighbors as the Good Samaritan does; give from the heart and from what we have. We can also financially support the initiatives of groups trying to defeat the causes of poverty.

Mission of the Gospel

Jim Leffel

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus sends his disciples; he instructs them to adopt his values, take initiative by moving toward people, go humbly, and to take risks without taking offense. They were to present the answer to people's root issues: to turn back to God. Ultimately, his disciples were to offer freedom and healing to a broken world.