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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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Life in the Balance

A book of biblical answers for the issues of our day.

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Same Lake
Different Boat

A book on how to come alongside people touched by disability.

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» See all Individual & Family Training
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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» See all Church Training & Resources
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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» See all K-12 Training
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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» See all Higher Education Training

Featured Training Materials

Why Christian Doctrine Matters

  • April 1, 2010
  • Kathy McReynolds
  • Policy Paper

Christian doctrine forms the basis for a biblical understanding of our world. It is important to have such a foundation in order to consider issues related to bioethics.

Life in the Balance: Biblical Answers for the Issues of Our Day

  • March 2, 2011
  • File Download

This book will guide you to apply God’s truth to some of society’s greatest challenges – hot topics such as autism, abortion, genocide and stem-cell research. Here’s a free download of Chapter 3, “Making Sense of Autism,” along with permission to copy and use in your church now!