Enable
Starting this issue, as part of a new regular feature, we’ll
be bringing you stories from disabled Christians – all
friends and contacts of Through the Roof – who are
making a difference. This month, John Williams of Enable
shares how he’s helping churches reach out to disabled
people.
I was born eight weeks premature and diagnosed with a
severe muscular disability. Doctors said that I would never
walk, talk or be independent, but by the grace and power
of God I have overcome these life-limiting obstacles.
My name is John Williams and I lead a ministry called
Enable. As an initiative of The Message Trust, we seek to
help people with seen or unseen disabilities connect with
God and understand that they’re created intentionally,
intricately and for a God-given purpose. I live with
cerebral palsy and am now able to inspire and encourage
those facing the same difficulties.
The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism identified
that 90% of people living with a disability have not been
effectively reached with the gospel, making them one of
the hardest-to-reach people groups. But they’re not really
hard to reach, we just need to know how! Enable partners
with churches to help them serve and welcome those
with seen or unseen disabilities. As well as this, we deliver
lessons in schools on respect, hopes, and dreams, with the
intention to challenge perceptions of disability and
encourage pupils to identify areas in their own lives where
personal circumstances may be holding them back from
achieving.
I see God at work as I share my story in schools. Only
recently one student approached me after a session in a
college to express that he was going through a really
tough time with his disabilities, but that I had really
inspired him. I was able to encourage him to speak to his
chaplain to get further help through this tough time.
It has also been amazing to see the work God is doing in
churches through Enable. One church recently said that
until I shared the stats and figures alongside my own
personal story, they hadn’t realised that there was such a
need. Now we are working together towards making their
church accessible.
Please pray that more doors will open in schools and
churches so that the team and I can bring the good news
of Jesus to more people with seen and unseen disabilities.
Contact me at [email protected], 0161 9462 369,
or by visiting our website www.message.org.uk/enable
to find out more.
Every Church Needs One…
We believe every church needs a Roofbreaker to advocate for disabled
people in their church and we’re on a mission to find 1000.
We’ll be organising a series of ‘Be a Roofbreaker’ events around the UK,
seeking to encourage existing Roofbreakers, and find and inspire new
ones to join the growing family. Together we can transform church life by
ensuring disabled people can belong and contribute to God’s Kingdom.
Roofbreakers gather to see changes in churches
Our first event is in the South-East, at St George’s Christian Centre,
Barnett Wood Lane, Ashtead KT21 2DA on Saturday 28th April,
10.30am – 3.30pm.
We aim to:
•
•
Inspire you with real-life stories of disability mission and ministry
Connect you with new people, inclusive ideas and practical resources to help you
The event is open to everyone, and we’d love current Roofbreakers to be there to share their stories, exchange ideas and
highlight practical resources to the newcomers. Tickets are £10 for one, or £15 for two, which includes a copy of the ‘Be a
Roofbreaker’ publication. Book now through the shop at www.throughtheroof.org, or by contacting
[email protected] or 01372 749955.
www.throughtheroof.org