Welcome persons with disabilities

When you hear the words “people with disabilities”, what thoughts immediately come to mind? Persons with disabilities include those with “long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments, which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis  with others” (United Nations).

The things we believe about disability affect how we think about people with disabilities and the way we treat them. As Christians, it is important that we are informed about the truth. When we are exposed to opinions, attitudes, and beliefs from other sources, we need to hold them up against the Bible to see if they agree with God’s Word and his ways, or whether they contradict them. As Christ’s disciples we need to think and act like Jesus.

Consider people with disabilities in the manner that God does.

Of the 35 recorded miracles in the New Testament, 23 involved people with disabilities. This gives an indication into the heart of God for people with disabilities and how much he prioritizes them. Jesus went out of his way to encounter and to include people with disabilities because he loved and valued them.

In John 9:1-7, Jesus makes it clear that disability is not a result of sin or a curse. His disciples focused on who sinned but Jesus shifted their attention to the “why”. In this story, the disability was a way of displaying God’s glory through Jesus’ compassion and healing.

We are to abandon ways of thinking and doing that are unlike Jesus’ ways and consider people with disabilities in the manner that God does. A paradigm shift is possible when we discover how God views and treats people with disabilities and how he wants us to view and treat them also. We have to dispel myths about disability and replace them with the truth: from ignorance and pitying to caring, establishing relationships, and co-labouring in God’s vineyard.

In the Great Banquet story of Luke 14:15-24, the master represents God, and the servants represent us the Church. God calls us to welcome the poor, the maimed, the blind, and the lame. In the Old Testament, King David orders Mephibosheth to be brought from Lodebar to the king’s table (2 Sam. 9:1-13). Lodebar is a place of no pasture, no recognition, isolation, neglect, and emptiness while the king’s table is a place of abundance, satisfaction, honour, and fulfilment.

The Church doesn’t need to go far; people with disabilities are a mission field at our doorstep. Becoming an accessible congregation isn’t about doing something extraordinary. It’s about adopting a mindset that every congregation, no matter its size, can embrace: a posture of inclusion. Making your church accessible to individuals and families affected by disability starts with intentionality. A welcoming congregation creates a space where all people feel seen, valued, and embraced. This change begins with small meaningful actions that demonstrate that everyone is truly welcome.

Jesus commands us to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” All means all!

In this edition of AfriGO, we highlight how the Church can include and minister effectively with and to people with disabilities. Our Called article is about Francis, who despite his dreary beginnings as a child with a disability, discovered his worth and now serves other people with disabilities. For Perspective, Florence shares from her rich experience the realities facing people with disabilities and how the Church can communicate God’s love. Our Feature story focuses on the Igreja Baptista do Calvário church in Angola and their initiatives in reaching the Deaf community. Enjoy these inspiring stories and share with others. Happy reading!

Joseph Mwaura is the founder and director of New Hope Sport Centre in Naivasha, Kenya. He is an All Ability sports coach who is passionate about serving and sharing the message of hope in Jesus Christ with underserved young people, families, and communities. He can be reached at newhopesportscentre@gmail.com.