From Joni’s Heart: Ministry Update

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1 

Twenty years ago, God brought Doug Mazza to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of Joni and Friends – From the very beginning, Doug not only listened to the vision God gave me for the ministry but executed it in a prayerful and powerful way. God has dramatically expanded our outreach under Doug’s leadership, and I can see why: coming from a corporate background, he was able to blend his business skills with his passion for the Gospel, and love for people with disabilities (Ryan, his significantly disabled son, is his inspiration.) 

When Doug and I discussed his plans to retire in 2019, I prayed, “Lord Jesus, would you bring to us someone like our dear friend? A person who can build on Doug’s legacy of corporate know-how, who loves your Gospel, and who ‘gets’ disability?” When all eyes turned to John Nugent, our chairman of the board, I knew right away this was God’s man for the job. 

Ken and I met John in the early 1990s when his wife, Marilyn read the Joni book while serving as a devoted caregiver to her disabled mother. John was the Senior Vice President of Oracle a global software company, and heavily involved in his church. They began attending Joni and Friends’ events, as well as volunteering and supporting the ministry. So, I was thrilled when John agreed to serve on our board, and just a handful of years later, as our chairman. I love his passion for Christ, and for the ministry! 

As I look to the future, I have every confidence God will use John Nugent to help us reach even more people with disabilities and their families for Christ. I thank Doug for laying the foundation… and I thank God for bringing John to continue to build on it!