Hear Shawn Thornton’s plans for the future at Joni and Friends as their newly appointed president.
Check out Shawn Thornton's book called All But Normal available here.
JONI: I’m Joni and I got my good friend back in the studio, Shawn Thornton. Welcome Shawn!
SHAWN: Thank you, Joni. It’s great to be here again.
JONI: And I’m so glad that you are now the new president of Joni and Friends! And that’s a big responsibility.
SHAWN: It is.
JONI: But you know a lot about it, don’t you?
SHAWN: I do!
JONI: Well, one of the first things that I want you to do aside from becoming acclimated with our teams and organizational structure, and yada, yada. I want you to go on a Wheels for the World to Zambia, or how about Nicaragua, or Thailand. I’d like you to serve at an International Family Retreat in Ukraine. Hopefully soon when that war ends, we’ll be back in Ukraine. So many places where there are hurting people with disabilities. What excites you most about not just leading the organization, but the ministry of Joni and Friends?
SHAWN: All the things you mentioned. I look forward to being on Wheels trips and those various places. Wheels for the World is making a difference in cultures that are longing for hope and that hope is found in Jesus and in that wheelchair as you know better than anybody opens the door in so many places. So, I’m looking forward to that. In the broader vision, I hope there will be many occasions where we as a ministry will be bringing that hope, and joy, and peace that’s found only in Jesus to people who’ve gone through a lot and are struggling – some in darkness. Some marginalized in their communities. And I have this deep vision to see the church mobilized globally.
JONI: Amen!
SHAWN: The church to be globalized because in my own brain, the church tried. The folks at my local church growing up; they really tried, but they weren’t equipped. They didn’t know how to do that. I think we’ll have this wonderful opportunity to equip the church in the United States and all around the world, to share that hope, and to share that hope of Jesus with people affected by disability.
JONI: Well, bing! That’s exactly why I’m excited that you’re at the helm because – oh, I remember, Shawn I was once in Ethiopia, I think. And I met a pastor who was stunned that we were pursuing an outreach to children with autism in Addis Ababa. He couldn’t believe it. He didn’t think these people were quite human.
SHAWN: Breaks my heart.
JONI: It does break my heart! And in so many parts of the world, if you have a disability, you’re viewed as cursed.
SHAWN: Right.
JONI: By the Adamous spirits or by witch doctors. And what I am excited about – you’ve been a pastor; you know the difference a church makes in the community that loves the Lord Jesus and holds forth the inherent Word of God. I’m excited that you’re going to add fuel to that fire. And develop that whole church training aspect which now is pretty good! We’re doing a good job!
SHAWN: It is good! Yeah.
JONI: But there’s 1.3 billion people with disabilities and almost as many churches! We need to get the word out that God delights in sharing his love with those with afflictions, right?
SHAWN: Amen! That just resonates with my heart and just excites me. I can’t wait to start.
JONI: Oh, Shawn I know that disability ministry is your heartbeat because I’ve been over to your church Calvary Westlake many times. Your special abilities outreach is awesome! Just tell us one aspect of it.
SHAWN: Well, the one thing that I really love about it is: it has changed the whole culture of the church.
JONI: Really?
SHAWN: So, you can even have a voice cry in worship – that maybe to some disruptive. But we see that voice as a sweet voice in worship. It’s just reshaped the whole culture of the church.
JONI: Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.
SHAWN: Exactly.
JONI: Thank you so much Shawn. And listening friends, again you’ll want to get Shawn’s book: “All but Normal” about his home life as he was a child with a mom who was significantly disabled and the trauma and all that he learned and all that she learned as well. So, just go to joniradio.org and we’ve provided a link where you can get your own copy. Shawn, thanks so much for being here.
SHAWN: Thank you, Joni.
JONI: I’m excited about the future!
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