CHURCH TRAINING / RESOURCES
Through the Roof

Through the Roof - inspired by the story in the gospel of Mark 2:3-5:

Four men who had faith, overcame obstacles and barriers by breaking through the roof of a home where Jesus was to bring their disabled friend to Him. Through the Roof's vision is to see this story carried out all over the world, that Christ’s church would reach out, break down barriers, and build bridges to bring people affected by disability to Jesus.

The Through the Roof program provides disability awareness, training, disabitlity ministry tools, resources, and support for churches, ministry leaders and workers as they develop maintain or expand their disability programs.

Joni and Friends offers tools, resources, and speakers for communicating the biblical mandate and God's view and purposes for people with disabilities. We have options ranging from Disability Awareness programs for Sunday/mid-week church services and meetings, to full seminars and conferences. We also provide curriculum for biblical foundation classes, adult, youth and children Sunday school classes, and speakers for seminary and Bible colleges/Christian schools.

Training

Committed to equipping churches, church leadership, workers, and volunteers for simple to advanced disability ministry and outreach, Joni and Friends can prepare people at all levels through workshops, seminars and regional conferences . In addition, hands-on volunteer training is available through existing dynamic disability ministry programs both domestically and internationally.

Through partnerships with the Christian Institute on Disability, Johnson Bible College and Reformed Theological Seminary, certificate courses on Disability Ministry and Disabilities and the Church are also available. Education and Training in disability ministry is currently available at the Christian Institute on Disability. Their new program, Foundations: Christian Perspectives on Disability Ministry, is offered in one-week intensive formats at the International Disability Center in Agoura Hills, California. For more information follow this link to the Christian Institute on Disability webpage.”

Some of the training that Joni and Friends can provide includes:

• Special needs classrooms and programs for children and teens.
• Bible studies and Friendship classes for adults with disabilities.
• Parents and siblings support ministry.
• Respite care for families.
• Disability Evangelistic outreach tools and models.
• List of upcoming training events around the country.

Seeking assistance to begin, maintain, or expand your disability ministry programs?  Contact your local Joni and Friends Field Ministry office.

Resources

Church and individual ministry resources for sale include books, training materials, Bible studies, curriculum, and videos to help you begin, maintain, or enhance your disability ministry and outreach are available through Joni and Friends, such as:

 

• Special Needs Smart Pages A comprehensive resource providing churches with tools for reaching out to children with special needs
• Through the Roof Manual - A guide to assist churches in developing an effective disability ministry and outreach.
• Hearts in Motion disability awareness bible study for both leaders and participants.
• When God Weeps Book and Bible study by Joni Eareckson Tada/Zondervan Publishing.
• All God's Children by Joni Eareckson Tada & Gene Newman.
• Barrier Free Friendships by Joni Eareckson Tada.
• Special Needs Special Ministry by Jim Pierson, Louise Tucker Jones & Pat Verbal.
• Other disabitlity ministry tools and resources (Summit workshop recordings, PowerPoints, PDFs and more!).

 

Support

Joni and Friends offers continuing support, training, and networking through a variety of avenues:

• Local Joni and Friends US Field Ministry offices provide ongoing support.
• Linking up churches, disability leaders, and workers to valuable resources: disability effective churches and ministries, teaching/training materials, meetings, workshops, conferences, etc.
• Regular interaction with JAF Disability ministry networks striving for a common cause.
• Peer-to-peer mentoring from successful disability leaders.

How involvement can help your church

Churches of all sizes can get involved and work alongside Joni and Friends in a variety of ways.  Many churches provide volunteers or teams to serve on local outreaches or on our Wheels for the World short-term missions trips.  These provide great learning opportunities for people who have not yet been around others affected by disability.

Several partner with us by expanding their existing programs to reach the disability community.  Others will host disability awareness church services and training at their church.  Many churches financially support our Wheels for the World  international outreach or Family Retreats as part of their missions program.  What is God calling your church to do in this country or around the world?