Wonderful Works Talks - Accessible Faith Podcast

Where are you with your attitude towards disability? Really? And why does this question matter so much for all of us?

Today, we are going to talk to Dan Vander Plaats, vice president of development at Acts 29 and the author of There is No Asterisk – 5 Stages of Changing Attitudes.  And we are going to find out why pondering this question may just change your church. This, is a very thought-provoking and encouraging conversation that...

"If a child had a severe allergic reaction at your church, would you know what to do?"

Today we are talking to Joanne Giorgi, founder of the Natalie Giorgi Sunshine Foundation, an organization that is working to save lives by spreading public awareness about food allergy safety. Join us as Joanne shares her family’s story, we talk through some things churches should consider when it comes to supporting food allergy fam...

"Why do you think it's important for the church to ask people living with chronic medical conditions - what do you want us to know?"

Today we are talking to Dr. Allison Hampton, the founder of Living Chronic Faith, an online community for people of faith who are living with chronic medical conditions.

Join us as we hear how Allie's own experience with Lupus inspired her to support others, how her time with paralysi...

"When life gets tough how do you handle the breakdown BEFORE the breakthrough?"

Today, we are going to talk to Tom and Julie Meekins, founders of Champions 4 Parents, a ministry whose mission is to provide love, support, and resources to parents raising children who have been impacted by disability.

Join us as we hear from Tom and Julie all about the most uncertain time in their life, after their daughter, Amy, was born with CHARGE...

"What do you think that families affected by FASD really need from the church?"

Join us today as we dive into Part 2 of our interview with FASD parent and advocate Joel Sheagren. Joel shares what parents really need from the church, how feeling safe (or unsafe) can impact a child's epigenetics, and all about the exciting projects that he and his team are working on to help FASD become better understood by all. This is a powerful ep...

"Did you know that according to a 2023 Study in the National Library of Medicine that Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in the general public?"

Did you also know that most people (and most churches) don't know much about it? Or how to best support kids who have it?

Well, today, we are going to learn more together. Join us as we dive into Part 1 of our series on FASD...

"When was the last time you stopped to think about what it means to feel valuable? And what difference does it make if you truly believe that we ALL are?"

Today, we are going to talk to Miracle 139 International President, Linda Martin. Miracle 139 International is an organization whose mission is improving the lives of children with disabilities around the world through awareness, training and support. Join us and lea...

"Do you believe that disability ministry is one size fits all? If not, how can churches find their own fit?"

Today, we are going to talk to the Disability Ministry Coordinator for the Church of the Nazarene, Pastor Ryan Nelson, and small church pastor, Reverend Shannon Blosser from the United Methodist Church, all about disability inclusion in the small church. So join us and learn what the perceived roadblocks are that keep disabil...

"What happens when people stop seeing a person with a disability and see the whole person instead?" 

Today we talk to advocates, Alexai and Zofia Perez. Zofia, is an artist, actress, entrepreneur, brand influencer, and was blessed with Down Syndrome and autism. Join us as we learn about person-ventured entrepreneurship, a whole new way to look at a cord of three strands, and find out why by the end of this interview my hea...

"When was the last time you looked at the world through someone else’s experience? Why can doing so, make it a better place for everyone? "

Join us for one of our most fascinating episodes ever, a conversation with autism self-advocate, Sondra Williams. Sondra shares her personal experience of growing up with autism. Find out what it really feels like to be a child who is learning how to communicate, what non-speaking students with...

"Why is it important that in the midst of struggle we look for the hope?"

Join us as we share Part 2 of our discussion with Executive Director of the Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute, Army Chaplain Brad Lee. Hear all about his personal experience raising his son, Kaydan, who has Down syndrome and autism and learn about the exciting plans for the Special Needs Marriage and Family Institute. And find out why raising childr...

"Have you ever stopped to think about how parenting a child with a disability would impact military life?” 

Join us as we talk to Army Chaplain Brad Lee about his experience raising his son, Kaydan, who has Down syndrome and autism, while being part of active-duty military. Find out what unique strengths and challenges exist for special needs military families, how he answers the “miracle” question, and what challenge we are throwi...

"What happens when you allow yourself to really change your perspective when it comes to disability and the church?" Join us as we talk to President of Ability Ministry, Ryan Wolfe. Find out what common myths regarding disability ministry need to be busted, how the relationship between children’s leaders and youth leaders can make or break your mission, what we can all learn from Jesus’s embrace in Luke 14, and so much more!

Ryan ...

"What does it mean to really be part of the church?" Join us as we talk to Laura Deeken of The Adapted Word and Cortney Jenkins of Awe and Wonder Adapted Biblical Curriculum all about what true belonging means. Find out how to teach the gospel to students who have intellectual and developmental disabilities, why discourgement isn't always what is seems, and what moved one of our guests to tears and why it will move yo...

"Have you ever read the Bible with disability in mind? If not, what do you think you might learn if you did?" Join us as we talk about that and so much more with disability ministry advocate and author, Sandra Peoples. Sandra is going to lead us through what she has learned helping churches start or strengthen disability ministries of their own. Find out why your church does not need to be afraid to get started, how the s...

"When we see someone behaving in a way that we don't understand, how often do we ask ourselves - 'what's wrong with them?' And what question should we be asking instead?"

Join us today as we talk to Jolene Philo, author of the book, "Does My Child Have PTSD", and find out why learning more about trauma can make all the difference for children at home and at church. Also, discover what implicit m...

"When it comes to supporting families affected by disability, how often do we start by investing in marriages?" Well, today, we are going to talk to authors, Todd and Kristin Evans, from disabilityparenting.com about why investing in the marriages of couples who are parenting children with disabilities matters for everyone. Find out what churches should know, how couples can build a marriage that thrives, even when life f...

“If you knew you could not fail, what is the one thing you would want to do for your mission?” Today, we are talking all about taking a leap of faith and what we have learned through our own experience starting Wonderful Works Ministry. So join, Leah Whicker and me, as we share what is "audience of one" and why it matters so much, why God isn't interested in perfection, and what you may want to consider if you are thi...

“What if every kid who came to church felt welcome there? What would that look like?” Today, we are going to be talking about that and more with author and special needs parent advocate, Elrena Evans. Learn what you should ALWAYS do when you see a parent struggling with a child's behavior, why people who are not impacted by disability need to read Elena's books, and discover the power of holding hope when others can't.

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