Hope Peacock
Hi, I’m Joni and let me introduce you to Miss Peacock.
Welcome to Joni and Friends where I always enjoy sharing inspiring stories. Stories of people who, when I look at them persevering, I think, “Ya know, if by the grace of God, she can do it, then I can do it.” That’s the way I look at Hope Peacock (that’s an interesting name, right?). At the age of nine, Hope went in for a routine surgery to remove her tonsils. But what followed was anything but routine. Only two days later, Hope went into cardiac arrest, suffering multiple strokes and a severe brain injury that left doctor’s thinking she would never walk again or speak, or see, or eat on her own. It was a harrowing experience for the Peacock family who had just recently planted a church in Calgary, Canada.
Can you imagine how this family felt? Hope’s multiple injuries were devastating; overwhelming. Somehow, some way the family was going to have to depend on this little church, this brand-new fellowship of believers who hardly knew one another, let alone knew them, the Peacock family. Hope and her parents were about to ask this small group, this little church plant to support them like they had never supported anyone before. They knew it was going to be a sacrifice for their church. But as Hope went through her long recovery, her family began to see God’s hand at work. I mean church members rallied in prayer; others signed up to provide meals; some stayed with Hope while her mom and dad were able to take breaks. This little congregation was in it for the long haul. And little by little, Hope began to improve.
Today, this remarkable girl is a vivacious 14-year-old who is growing in her love for Christ and excelling in school. While being legally blind and using a wheelchair is challenging, Hope’s strong sense of humor and creativity bless everyone around her. And the Peacock family didn’t stay on the receiving end for long when it came to their church, because now, Hope serves on her church’s ‘Welcome Team,’ relying on her sense of hearing to notice when people walk through the doors. She personally greets everyone — and sometimes she ends up greeting people twice, but that’s okay because Hope just smiles and uses her ‘extra’ greeting to start up a conversation. I love that! It’s clear that Hope’s church loves Jesus.
In fact, after seeing all the response from church members and the Peacock’s faith, one of Hope’s hospital nurses shared with her dad, “You know sir, I don’t go to church, but if I were to go to church, I’d want to go to go yours.” (Wow, talk about witnessing to others by the way a church responds to hardship and disability).
In her church, Hope Peacock enjoys a place of belonging; a place of service, even with all her disabilities (Hope still lives with frequent seizures). But her story shows how a little church’s response to someone with a disability can shake a community. Plus, her story also shows that everyone — disabled or not — has a unique, God-given gift that can bless the entire church body. It’s why I was so encouraged by a special article that was written by Hope’s mother. It’s called “8 Ways to Welcome People with Disabilities into Your Church.” It’s plain; it’s simple, listing 8 ways. So please, if you want your fellowship, no matter how large or small it is, if you want your congregation to embrace people with disabilities like Hope, go to joniradio.org today, would you, and download this wonderful article written by Miss Peacock. It is fabulous! Oh, by the way, if you’d like to see a photo of me and Hope, I’ve posted right there on joniradio.org. So come learn more about Hope’s story at joniradio.org.
© Joni and Friends
Read Article ‘8 Ways to Welcome People with Disabilities into Your Church’
