Our Ministries
News, Stories, Inspiration
To the Next Generation
Take a moment and look at the smiles in this photo. Yes, that’s me in the middle, surrounded by young people excited about disability ministry, and there’s a reason we’re smiling. There’s not a one of us whose heart isn’t on fire with the calling God’s given us! You see, these young adults are part…
The Youngest Advocate
We love hearing stories of our Joni and Friends community coming together to share the hope of Christ and advocate for people impacted by disability all over the world. And because of you, we can share the life-changing gospel with those who need it most! We’re especially blown away by the generosity and kindness of our younger advocates! Matthew 18:2-6 He called a little…
A Transformational Experience
It’s our volunteers that make Family Retreat a one-of-a-kind experience for families with special needs. And serving changes our volunteers’ lives too! Meet my friend, Chris. He’s been volunteering at Family Retreat for almost 10 years now! The experience has transformed his life, relationships and his heart forever. “Volunteering at Family Retreat has completely changed me,” Chris told us.…
Battling Chronic Pain and Insomnia
“Pain is disorienting. It changes you in ways that you never saw coming. Chronic pain, the kind that you think about all the time, becomes a part of who you are… There’s not always a smile behind the smile, but there’s a reason for my smile.” Dealing with a chronic condition such as pain or…
Immovable
I recently saw a quote on social media that read, “God gave you this mountain to show others it can be moved.” At first, I like it. I can buy that. Yeah, I believe it… kinda. Well, wait a minute. I suppose I understand the meaning behind it; to motivate people to press on and…
Resources for Coping with Chronic Pain and Illness
Joni often acknowledges the unique challenges of an invisible disability because it is so difficult for others to identify and understand. The disabilities may be invisible, but they are so very real! We highly recommend the following resources and hope that they will be a source of encouragement as they take a close look at…
Looking Back Over 40 Years of Ministry
“Looking back over the last 50 years, many highlights include the Billy Graham Crusades. Back in the 70’s, Ruth Graham read the Joni book and told Billy that he should invite me to speak at a Crusade. So, in October 1976, I shared my testimony at Pontiac Stadium near Detroit. Sharing my story in front…
Health Update: All Clear!
Proverbs 25:25 says, “Good news from far away is like cold water to a thirsty soul.” That perfectly describes Ken and me today. We were prepared to gladly take whatever from the hand of God, even if it were from his left hand. But the Lord was gracious and heard the desire of our hearts…
A Full Summer of Outreach!
Family Retreats are in full swing for the summer! Since the first Retreat in 1991, over 63,000 families have been served all over the United States thanks to your generous support and prayers. And this summer, even more families are finding rest and rejuvenation across the nation at 41 different Retreats. Right at this moment,…
Running a Different Race
It’s no surprise that I love horses, like this friendly fellow Ken and I met last summer at our Family Retreat in New Mexico. Just spending time with this gentle gelding brought back a flood of horseback-riding memories. I used to love saddling up and running my horse through his paces. Often, I’d be preparing…