The Works of God

One of those ways is showing up at conferences related to disability.

A friend of mine and a fellow dad in Alabama let me know about a conference he is attending on special needs ministries – and a couple of his staff ministers are attending with him!  I was encouraged and I don’t even know those men.

Another way is hanging in there with our unusual families.

For the next five weeks Bethlehem is focusing on Spiritual Parenting, and I’m really looking forward to the preaching from five different men.  Their topic isn’t disability and they probably won’t be making many references to disability, but I know their hearts and am grateful they will be filling the pulpit these next weeks.  Here’s why:

David Michael, Pastor for Parenting and Family Discipleship: he supervises the Disability Ministry and we couldn’t have a better, God-centered advocate for families in our situations.  He’s been walking with and advising me for more than a dozen years.

Kempton Turner, Pastor for Young Adult Discipleship: he’s the fellow on the cover of Just the Way I Am and a father of a multiply-disabled boy.  You can hear him preach on this subject of disability and bible here (and I recommend that you do!).

Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology at Southern Seminary: Dr. Moore isn’t a pastor at Bethlehem, but I had the chance to ask him about his experience with disability a few weeks ago and he has plenty as a pastor.

Bud Burk, Pastor for Child and Youth Discipleship: Pastor Bud loves all the children under his care, ours included, as well as their families.  We had breakfast a few weeks ago to talk about some pretty difficult issues with regards to children with disabilities – and I saw again his heart for wanting all to experience the love of Jesus.

Pastor John finishes up the series on March 20/21.  You already know my affections for him.  If you haven’t listened to his sermon, Born Blind for the Glory of God, please pause now and do so.  You will be encouraged.

God is kind to provide such men in leadership who care about this issue.  May he multiply them in churches around the world.