Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada and welcome to Joni and Friends.
I have on the phone today my good friend Stephanie Hubach who has a real heart to see more people with disabilities reached for Christ within her denomination. Stephanie, you are Special Needs Ministries Director for Mission to North America, which is part of the Presbyterian Church in America … How's it going?
Stephanie: It’s going great, Joni. Thanks for asking. You know I have a son with special needs. My son, Tim, who has Downs and that is part of what has prepared me for the work that I have been involved with special needs. We have been around for five years now and it is hard to believe.
Joni: You know the PCA is a small denomination. Are you making any difference?
Stephanie: Yes, that’s a good question. That is one of the things that we had to look at when we first got started is how can we faithfully execute the gifts that God has given to us in order to make a difference. And I think if you look at that verse in I Corinthians 12:18-20 where it says, “But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them just as He wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is there are many parts but one body.” I think if you think about it we often in disability circles apply that to people with disabilities in the body of Christ—and we should, but I think it applies to disability ministries across the body of Christ as well.
Joni: So what do disability ministries actually give the church?
Stephanie: Hit the “refresh” button on the computer screen of the Gospel.
Joni: I love that!
Stephanie: I think it really takes people to the heart of what the Gospel is all about because if we don’t really understand that it was our profound spiritual disability that caused Christ to come and make access on our behalf then we really don’t understand the Gospel, do we?
Joni: I have noticed that families affected by disability … when you get involved in disability ministry in your church, it crosses all kinds of denominational lines and barriers, don’t you think?
Stephanie: I think it does. And I think that one of the wonderful things that we find is even though we are small we are able to partner with a lot of different denominations and different organizations—Joni and Friends obviously being one of them—and sometimes also our friends who may be Mennonite or Lutheran or from the Christian Reformed Church as well.
Joni: Well, I know that you have a special heart for helping churches understand how to embrace kids with autism. Talk about that for a second.
Stephanie: We just recently had a conference down in Chattanooga that Barb Newman did for us, and as you know Barb is I think one of the best evangelical experts on the subject of autism in the United States and we are really excited to see churches embracing individuals and families touched by autism.
Joni: And friends listening who want to find out more about resources for ministering to children with autism and their congregation, we have some resources by Barb Newman listed on our Radio Page today. Also I am going to promote your DVD and your book, Stephanie Hubach, called “Same Lake, Different Boat.” This is a great manual, a great small group Bible study to do with your Christian friends who want to learn how to really make a difference in the lives of special needs families in your community. So again, go to joniandfriends.org our radio page for all these resources listed for you. Is that okay, Steph?
Stephanie: That’s great, Joni. Thanks. That is very sweet.
Joni: Hey, Steph, before we leave, give us an update on your son Tim who has Down syndrome. Tell us what is new in the family.
Stephanie: Tim is doing great! He is currently working at Crossroads Family Medical Center, which is a medical practice in Lancaster County, and he just loves being involved in that, and our oldest son, Fred, is getting married …
Joni: And I bet Tim is going to have a role in the wedding …
Stephanie: He is. He is the best man!
Joni: Yahoo! Send me photos.
Stephanie: We will, Joni.
Joni: Congratulations and Steph, thanks for all that you do.
Stephanie: Thanks, Joni.
Friend, drop me a line at Joni’s Corner at joniandfriends.org or you can always contact us at P.O. Box 3333, Agoura Hills, CA 91376.
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