The new President of Joni and Friends, Shawn Thornton, joins Wayne Shepherd to discuss bringing Gospel hope to people with disabilities around the world. (click for more)

Website: joniandfriends.org

Shawn Thornton shares the deeply personal story behind his memoir All But Normal: Life on Victory Road. His mother suffered a severe traumatic brain injury in a car accident at age 14, and without adequate therapy available in 1962, she spent the rest of her life struggling with physical limitations, emotional instability, and periodic institutionalization. Growing up in this environment of "private pain" gave Thornton a lifelong heart for disability ministry — though he kept his story private for many years, believing it didn't matter.
The conversation reveals a remarkable full-circle moment: Joni Eareckson Tada had been a source of hope and strength for Thornton's mother throughout her struggles. When Thornton arrived at his new pastoral position in California, he discovered a welcome note on his desk signed by Joni and Ken Tada — completely unaware of his family connection. That encounter moved him to tears, and eventually led him to share his story publicly, first at a Joni and Friends donor event, and later in his book — encouraged by both Joni and author Max Lucado.
Now one year into his role leading Joni and Friends, Thornton is energized by the organization's mission to equip and mobilize local churches worldwide to welcome people with disabilities. He notes that only about 10% of U.S. churches are fully accessible, and that embracing disability ministry tends to open a congregation's heart to other marginalized groups as well. He describes the "Wheels for the World" program, which restores used wheelchairs in U.S. prisons and ships them to remote communities in countries like Thailand and Ghana, where recipients also receive Bibles, the gospel message, and a connection to a local church — often breaking longstanding cultural superstitions about disability. The interview closes with Thornton expressing deep enthusiasm for his new calling.

NEXT WEEK: Jonathan Hallsted, Healthbridge Global

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