I’m Commissioned Too
Walking down Main Street in downtown Memphis praying, painting, drawing, acting, and writing are all challenging for me. Travel is always taxing on my differently abled body. At 39 sometimes it feels like I’m 50. So, why do I choose to put my body through this? It’s because I firmly believe that when Jesus gave the Great Commission to his disciples, it wasn’t just for them’ it was for all of us and that must include the community of persons with disabilities.
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them the name of Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age'”
Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
Growing up in East Memphis in the 80s with cerebral palsy was actually the best time to be alive! I went to Shrine School, a public school for kids with disabilities which is the only school like it in the United States. I had the opportunity to get a good education. Also, I grew up in a family that was Gospel-focused and Mission minded, believing that with the power of God the Holy Spirit anything was possible.
Along with this, my pastor and others within the Christian community, I started learning about guys like Dr. John Perkins and the Christian Community Development Association (CCDA). Having the support of my family, my church, and my community set me on the path I’m now on. I love Jesus and the people of my city because I know I have been commissioned to Go!
At 12 years old, my dad shared the Gospel with me and I realized that Jesus Christ is the King of kings. Immediately, I wanted to serve my LORD in every way I could. Sadly, I had those in my life who thought “it was ok not to go” as the great commission says and God would understand. The older I grew the more this didn’t sit well with me.
Why would Jesus command some to go and others to stay? And How could someone tell another what God is doing in his/her own heart?
When I was 28, I participated in Youth with a Mission’s discipleship program in New York City. I thought I would not be able to go but the folks at YWAM New York decided that if what I needed was physical help, they would do it, so I could be included. The program was 5 months in the East Village of Manhattan.
At almost 30 years old this was my first time living away from home. God gave me an extended community outside my family. Now, I realized with a loving Christian community I could go anywhere that He might send me.
After being in NYC for 5 months, we all went to Amsterdam for 6 weeks to do outreach. Coming back home to Memphis nothing could stop me, because I knew that I too was commanded to go! I have gone on many different mission trips over the last 10 years and moved into downtown Memphis.
I’m a missionary, artist, writer, actor, and speaker because I too have been commanded to preach the Gospel and disciple the nations. I do not only inspire my able-bodied brothers and sisters to help our community, I empower everyone to discipleship regardless of ability so we can be transformed together in Jesus Christ.
When I look around, I know that it’s possible to see a church where people with disabilities and able-bodied people work together, to lean on one another as one body! I long to see more persons with disabilities as pastors, church planters, and missionaries. My prayer to Jesus is that one day we would become one!
Written By—Daniel Aaron Harris
Daniel Aaron Harris is founder of Fallen Walls where he proclaims the Gospel by sharing his life as an author, activist, artist and actor with those in downtown Memphis and beyond regardless ability. Currently, Daniel is working on his Doctorate of Ministry from Western Theological Seminary.
Edited by David C. Deuel & Nathan G. John
Disability in Mission
Disability in Mission: The Church’s Hidden Treasure outlines a radical change in approaches to missiology, missions, and praxis for the twenty-first-century global cultural context. It explores a pattern whereby God works powerfully in missions through disability and not in spite of it.
Pray with Us
Heavenly Father, we come before you requesting a miracle. Lord of disability, please change our hearts. We confess that we doubt or dismiss people with disabilities. But worse, we pridefully make them objects of pity when instead we should see your calling and giftedness in their lives.
Please use this book’s testimonies of your sufficient grace. May the many missionary lives lived faithfully with disability remind us that called and gifted people with disabilities are platforms for your enablement, showcases for your glory. Remind us that disability is your stage for shocking a watchful world.
We believe that you can and will heal all disabilities. But on your disability stage, display your power by changing our hearts.
