Education & Training

At Joni and Friends, education and training are at the heart of our ministry.

Whether you’re an individual seeking to learn more about disabilities, a church wanting to start a disability ministry, or even an educator searching for resources for your classroom, we are here to help!

For Individuals & Families

Understanding and serving people affected by disabilities.

Barrier Free Friendships

A book on bridging the distance between you and your friends with disabilities.

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The Life and Death Dilemma

A book on families facing heath care choices.

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The Art of Helping

A book on what to say and do when someone is hurting.

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Compassionate Caregiving

A book on encouragement for caregivers of parents, ailing spouses, or chronically ill friends.

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For Churches

Develop and expand a disability ministry at your church.

Special Needs Smart Pages

This is the best single comprehensive resource offered providing churches with tools for reaching out to families affected by disability.

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Process Map for Starting a Disability Ministry

A rough “road map” to help navigate the arduous task of birthing and nurturing a new Disability Ministry as well as expanding an existing ministry.

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Midwest Disability Ministry Summit

Enjoy a wonderful time of education, networking, and inspiration as together we discover fresh, new ways to reach out and embrace families affected by disability.

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For k-12 Educators

Make the children’s ministry at your church disability-friendly.

Camp Lean on the Lord

Disability Awareness Program and Missions Project for children ages 4–12.

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On A Roll for Jesus!

Disability Awareness Program and Missions Project

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Let All the Children Come To Me

A practical handbook filled with inspiration and information for teachers and pastors.

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Give Them Jesus

Evangelizing resource for children with special needs.

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For Higher Education

Find certification, bachelor’s, and master’s level coursework available from Joni and Friends.

Certificate Course

Beyond Suffering, a unique college level certificate course offered only at the International Disability Center in Southern CA.

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Accredited Coursework

Accredited coursework in disability ministry at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

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International Education

Basics: Fundamentals of Disability Ministry Training.
Designed by God: A Biblical Theology of Disability, Suffering and the Church

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Internship Programs

Cause 4 Life: Student Missions and Internships

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Featured Training Materials

Why Christian Doctrine Matters

  • April 1, 2010
  • Kathy McReynolds
  • Policy Paper

Introduction

I must preface this essay by stating that very few of the arguments presented on the following pages are original. To the extent that I am able to elucidate them, I owe their clarity and genius to many great Christian thinkers who have gone before me. What I do believe I contribute to this important discussion concerning Christian doctrine is its application to disability. The use of the word “disability” in this particular context is not a reference to certain people with disabilities per se; but rather, “disability” is used broadly in order to describe what I believe is ...

Stem Cell Research

  • April 7, 2010
  • Steve Bundy
  • Policy Paper

Stem cell research is done in a laboratory, a public place, not in a bedroom. Therefore, it requires public discussion and clarification. However, the mainstream media has done more to muddy the issues than to clarify them. The result is that the average American is deeply confused about the nature of stem cell research and its implications for society. A recent study conducted by the Ethics and Public Policy Center reveals that the public lacks knowledge of the most basic facts regarding stem cell research. For instance, 69% of those polled support stem cell research, but only 17% of the respondents said they were very familiar with ...