Joni And Friends Ministry Podcast

Every person needs to find a place of acceptance and belonging. For people with disabilities, too often, inclusion can be hard to come by, even within the body of Christ. As a pastor, Scott Sauls knows how important it is for the church to embrace marginalized people, like those with disabilities. He has seen firsthand how a robust ministry to people with disabilities—not only welcoming them but evoking their gifts—catalyzes the life of a church.Scott also knows that pastors and ministry leaders can feel overwhelmed by the idea of starting or growing a disability ministry. He exhorts leaders to trust in God’s abundant provision (no matter the size of the budget or congregation) while stepping forward in faith to serve people with disabilities well.Key Questions:How can your church embrace people who are marginalized?What barriers do you face when it comes to serving or connecting with people with disabilities?How can you trust God’s abundance and step out in faith today?Key Scripture:“But if we walk in the li

Everyone carries regret, hurt, and fear. These burdens can weigh you down and make you feel trapped. In his book, Beautiful People Don't Just Happen: How God Redeems Regret, Hurt, and Fear in the Making of Better Humans, Scott Sauls explores how Christ provides hope and healing amid the most trying emotions and circumstances.Pastor Scott hopes to reach people who sin and suffer—people who feel tired or afraid. He shares the message that because of Christ’s love, presence, and promises, the best is always yet to come, even when life feels hopeless.When it comes to redeeming regret, hurt, and fear, Pastor Scott also explains how God can make people better through difficulties. Using historical examples—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, C.S. Lewis, and Tim Keller—and biblical examples—King David, the Apostle Paul, and even Jesus—Scott points out a hopeful pattern of God’s redemptive work that applies to everyone who trusts in him.Key Questions:Do you ever feel burdened with regret, hurt, or fear?Who can you encourage today b

Danika Deva knows isolation. Living with multiple chemical sensitivities, which can cause life-threatening allergic reactions to everyday things, she must be intentional about her relationships. Through seasons of severe sickness and physical isolation, she has found strategies for connection and invites others to walk the trails she has blazed.With God’s help, Danika has learned to serve and minister to others, even from a place of suffering. She urges everyone facing difficulty to seek ways to bless others, pointing to the fact that human beings were not made for isolated, independent lives, but for interdependence and mutual service. She urges Christians to encourage and remind one another of the great hope we have in Christ—whatever our circumstances.Key Questions:Do your health struggles impact your relationships?How is God shaping your character through your hardships?How can you offer hope to someone today, even if you’re suffering? Key Scripture:“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoic

In 2016, Danika Deva’s life was turned upside-down by the sudden onset of severe environmental illness. Desperate, isolated, hopeless, and hurting, she begged God for healing. To this day, Danika lives what she calls “a bubble life,” to manage life-threatening allergic reactions to an ever-shifting range of environmental and dietary triggers. She will tell you, “It’s hard to live like this.” But amid her suffering, she has found hope and closeness to God.Danika’s God-given Ph.D. in "Hard Knocks" and "God Rocks" has equipped her to inspire others to be intentional, and to choose joy and hope in hardship so they can not only heal, but flourish. Key Questions:Where in your “hard knocks” do you see God working?What opportunity do you have to choose joy today? Key Scripture:“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11Additional Resources:Read more from Danika Send Crystal a message with your comments and qu

Since the onset of POTS almost two decades ago, Dr. Andy Laurie has prayed for his suffering to go away. As his disease and the hardships that come with it have remained, God has led Dr. Andy through a process of clarification, grappling, releasing, and ultimately drawing closer to Jesus and his  promises.Crystal Keating and Dr. Andy explore aspects of suffering that God can use for good:Suffering causes us to focus on things that really matter.Suffering can force clarification about our self-image, identity, and priorities.When incurable or unsolvable problems come, Dr. Andy highlights the need to let go of the “old life” and embrace our new reality (with whatever limitations or struggles it comes with). This process of release and redefinition often includes grief. And without hope in God, self-pity, depression, and despair can take hold.Dr. Andy shares his own struggle with despair—the temptation to linger and wallow in the dark after his diagnosis. He also shares a turning point that came through prayer.

Dr. Andy Laurie knows what it’s like for life’s skies to go dark. His book, When Skies Aren’t Blue: A Physician’s Personal Journey, recounts his journey from health to sickness, and to living with joy in the midst of traumatic and overwhelming circumstances.His prescription for hope that endures no matter what? “We need objective, provable truth,” he says. “To know that we can prove God is real, prove God is true. Prove the Bible is real.” But Dr. Laurie was not always a believer. Even in medical school, he considered himself a “man of science” and saw faith as a crutch some people needed—but not him! Then, his quest for knowledge led him closer to God instead of further; ultimately, he came to faith, and became a pastor-physician.When he “had it all”: a loving marriage, four small children, and two thriving careers, the skies went dark, seemingly forever. Faced with his devastating diagnosis, he dug deep into his faith, and asked the ultimate questions about identity, self-worth, hope, and love.Now, Dr. Laur

Katherine Wolf kicked off Season 4 with a conversation about suffering. After surviving a catastrophic stroke at age 26, which left her with profound disabilities, Katherine now works to break down the myth that joy can only be found in a pain-free life. Here, in Episode Two, Katherine digs deeper into the topic of suffering, and particularly, how to flourish within our limitations. We as believers have all been there: we make a request to God in prayer, then wait for him to give us what we want. When we don’t get the results or answer we hope for, we get frustrated, perplexed, or even angry with God. Katherine offers insight about how to trust God when he doesn’t answer prayers the way we hope he will. When it comes to suffering well, she highlights the importance of the narratives we believe and tell about our lives—past, present, and future. She shares how to reframe and redefine the hardest parts of life: tragedy, disability, loss, and grief, with God’s goodness and his good story as the ultimate hope-giv

Crystal and Katherine discuss what it means to “suffer strong,” and how community plays a key role in leaning on God through suffering. They explore what it means to heal—not just the body but the soul, and the difference between curing and healing.Katherine also gives tips about how to encourage and support people in suffering—what to do and say, and, just as importantly, what NOT to do and say.No matter what difficulties we face, Katherine’s wisdom gives refreshment and insight on what it takes to suffer strong, embracing God’s good story that he writes in each of our lives. Key Questions:What does it mean to suffer well?How can I reframe my suffering?Is it possible to find healing if there is no cure for the condition, disability, or pain that I live with?Key Scripture:“I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name.” Isaiah 45:3Additional Resources:Listen to  How God Meets Us in Suffering with Vaneetha R

Welcome to Season 4 of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast!We are excited to kick off a new series of encouraging conversations about finding hope through hardship, and share practical ways to include people with disabilities in your church and community. The past few years have brought unexpected changes and challenges, from the Coronavirus pandemic to global unrest, not to mention personal difficulties. And trying times bring up big questions: What does it mean to suffer well?How can we understand and cope with pain, loss, disability, and grief?Beginning next week, we will learn how to lean on Christ and redefine our experiences with suffering. In each episode, Crystal Keating will talk with a guest who knows what it means to suffer. Each conversation will shed light on some of life’s great challenges and provide deep encouragement. Episode One kicks off with Katherine Wolf, a true trailblazer when it comes to disability and suffering. In 2008, at just 26 years old and 6 months after having a new baby boy

"This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God." -2 Corinthians 9:12 As we close out season 3 of the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast, Crystal is reflecting on the many wonderful conversations we’ve had this year and the remarkable people we’ve met along the way. So many of our guests persevered through the hardships of their disabilities and chronic conditions, sacrificing their strength to share about their lives and God’s faithfulness.Crystal is thinking of friends like Jennifer Ji-Hye Ko who lives with tremendous pain and mental health challenges and brought a powerful reminder about lamenting to our God through seasons of grief. She’s also thinking of Heather Hart who, on the morning we recorded, had been in the ER with one of her daily migraines. She’s reminded of Abigail Brown who used a communication board to share her testimony of God’s unseen purposes for her suffering and Stephanie Magness who shared

“It is not the experience of loss that becomes the defining moment of our lives, but how we respond to loss that matters.”Loss came suddenly for Jerry Sittser. In an instant, a tragic car accident claimed three generations of his family: his mother, his wife of 20 years, and his four-year-old daughter. Left as a single father to care for his three surviving children, Jerry was nearly overcome by the tremendous weight of grief. While most of us will probably not experience such a catastrophic loss in our lifetime, we will all face some sort of loss. Whether in the form of disability, chronic illness, crushing disappointment, or the death of a loved one, the experience of loss is universal. Jerry is joining Crystal to help put words around sorrow and offer hope for growing with grief. If you are wondering if you will ever heal or what God’s plan is in the depth of your pain, be encouraged by this conversation. Through God’s transforming grace, new life is possible.Resources:Read A Grace Disguised: How the Soul

"If anxiety, fear, or trauma is part of your experience, the book you want to become familiar with is the Bible. The Bible is all about how God’s redemptive purposes enter into our suffering through his Son who experiences trauma and suffering on our behalf for the purpose of healing." Dr. Tim Lane, who recently spoke about how to make changes that last is returning to the podcast to discuss post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD. Often associated with servicemen and women who live with distressing memories from combat experience, PTSD can actually occur in any person at any age. As an experienced counselor and the Founder of the Institute for Pastoral Care, Dr. Lane explains that many people are affected by trauma, but we all respond to disturbing events and the associated shame in different ways.Whether you face disabling memories from combat, abuse, health problems, or a traumatic accident, you are not alone. Christ, who himself suffered intensely, is with you. Be encouraged as Dr. Lane compass

“Your circumstances shape you but they do not define you – what defines you is that you are in a relationship with a God who loves you.”Is there an area in your life that you want to change, but you don’t know how? A behavior you’ve tried to stop, but just can’t seem to? Is there a relationship you want to repair, but nothing seems to make things better? Do you feel stuck? Dr. Tim Lane, Founder of the Institute for Pastoral Care and author of Unstuck: A Nine-Step Journey to Change That Lasts, discusses key steps toward lasting change. Much more than self-help strategies, Dr. Lane offers truths that are rooted in scripture. This practical and biblical guidance recognizes that the path to lasting change can only be found by growing in grace as we look to Christ and are empowered by the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lane will help you understand your identity in Christ and recognize common mistakes people make when trying to change. Whatever your struggle, this encouraging conversation will help you to get unstuck as you loo

“When disability ministry starts to take hold in the heart of a church, it’s like hitting the refresh button on the gospel in that church.” Have you considered how including people with disabilities might positively impact your church’s culture? Stephanie Hubach is on the podcast to share the importance and value of including everyone in ministry.Stephanie is a research fellow in disability ministries at Covenant Theological Seminary and visiting instructor in the seminary’s educational ministries program. Previously she served as the director of Mission to North America’s Special Needs Ministries. She is also a speaker and author of a new devotional called Parenting and Disabilities: Abiding in God’s Presence.People of all abilities have spiritual gifts to offer at your church. Listen as Stephanie talks about the importance of building a social ramp so that even gifts that are packaged differently can be employed in the body of Christ. As we're saturated in the gospel and develop more of a biblical worldview

Where is God in your journey of parenting a child with disabilities? In celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month, Stephanie Hubach is sharing the joys and challenges of parenting a child with intellectual disabilities. She's a visiting instructor and research fellow in disability ministries at Covenant Theological Seminary and previously served as the Director of Mission to North America’s Special Needs Ministries. Listen as Stephanie offers wisdom from her leadership experience in disability ministry as well as personal insight from raising two sons to adulthood, Freddy and Tim who has Down syndrome. Hear how her role as a mother has changed throughout the years, the steps she's taking to prepare for the future, and how the church can meet the biggest needs for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Follow Stephanie on Facebook to see Tim’s latest recipes Order Parenting and Disabilities: Abiding in God’s Presence and Same Lake, Different Boat Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcast@

“God wastes nothing, even disability. He has a purpose for you right where you are.”After receiving her EMT certification, Cady Bell was on the path to becoming a doctor to use her skills in service overseas. But when she began experiencing severe pain, seizures, stomach issues, and fainting, her life's plan dramatically changed. As Cady searched for the cause of her symptoms, her intensifying health challenges forced her to drop out of school and quit her job.On the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast, Cady is sharing her journey to finding a diagnosis for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS), a rare connective tissue disorder that affects mobility and strength. This invisible disability that has no cure has brought physical and emotional ups and downs, but has also beautifully deepened her relationship with God—something she wouldn't trade for perfect health. Hear how EDS helped Cady discover new joy and purpose and how she’s using her struggles to reach other women who might feel hopeless in their hardships. Follow

“Nothing that we go through is wasted… no pain, no hurt, no sorrow. We can rejoice in our suffering because we know who our God is.”Renee Dollenmayer, a college student living with chronic pain and spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, is returning to the podcast to share about her online outreach to other women who live with physical and spiritual challenges. Born prematurely as a triplet alongside two typical brothers, Renee always wondered if she needed to be healed to be a faithful follower of Jesus. But as she discovered the way Jesus suffered, she realized that she has a place in the body of Christ and a calling to encourage others through their hardships!Do you feel limited by a disability or lack of support? Hear how Christian counseling helped bring Renee through the darkness of her own struggles. Be encouraged that God can use you to bring others to himself—just like he is using Renee and her ministry, Even If!Follow Renee on Instagram.Learn about Joni and Friends internships.Register for the Beyond

Have you ever wondered, what is my place? Where do I fit in the body of Christ?Renee Dollenmayer, a university senior majoring in rehabilitation services, grew up struggling with similar questions about her purpose. Born prematurely with spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy as a triplet alongside two typical brothers, Renee wondered if she needed to be healed to be a faithful follower of Jesus.Listen as Renee shares how God revealed beauty and purpose in her disability, and how that journey led Renee to a Joni and Friends internship. She recently interned alongside our host Crystal Keating in the Response Department to help minister to people looking for spiritual and practical encouragement, as well as resources related to living with a disability. Don’t miss hearing Renee’s advice for other Christian students living with a disability, and how her Joni and Friends internship helped affirm her calling to serve people and serve Jesus for his kingdom.Follow Renee on Instagram.Learn about Joni and Friends interns

Claire Walker was a varsity basketball player making plans for college when health challenges radically altered her life. After a routine oral surgery, a strep throat virus entered her bloodstream and began wreaking havoc in her nervous system. Claire began to faint almost daily whether standing, sitting, or walking, and suddenly had to exchange her active lifestyle for the safety of a wheelchair.On the podcast, Claire is sharing about God’s faithfulness through frustrating misdiagnosis and the eventual discovery of a neurological disorder called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (also known as POTS or dysautonomia). Although this syndrome is widespread and growing due to COVID-19, it’s rarely heard about, including among medical experts. Life hasn’t been the same for Claire since her diagnosis; she is now accompanied by her service dog, Lily, a trained seizure alert dog that helps mitigate POT syndrome. But hear why Claire is grateful to God for what he is doing through her story. Find Claire on Inst

“The deepest transformations in our lives actually happen from some of our deepest woundings…good healing happens in community.”What can the body’s healing process show us about repairing relational wounds? This week on the podcast Crystal is joined by Dr. Cymbeline T. Culiat, a scientist, entrepreneur, and co-author of the new book Designed to Heal: What the Body Shows Us about Healing Wounds, Repairing Relationships, and Restoring Community. Listen as Dr. Culiat provides a fascinating look at how the restorative processes of our physical bodies provide a model for healing the painful wounds of broken relationships and divided communities, including wounds within the church. Discover practical ways to address the need for reconciliation, wholeness, and function in our relationships with God, with one another, and within our communities.Download Your Free Chapter of Designed to HealWhen you download chapter 1, you'll be entered to receive a free copy of the book. Questions or comments? Email Crystal at podcas