Vision
The Wheaton College Center for Faith and Disability exists to promote disciple-making to and with people impacted by disability.
Mission
We want to help you make your focus on disability more biblical, normative, and transformative so schools, congregations and para-church ministries become communities of belonging and flourishing for all.
Schools: We seek to transform educational institutions into hubs of learning for students of all abilities. In addition to providing resources and innovative research, we equip future teachers through the Special Education program at Wheaton College.
Congregations: We seek to equip every congregation with the biblical training, robust theology, and practical resources that will free them to warmly welcome every worshipper. By promoting disciple-making to and with people impacted by disability, we hope to assist every congregation become a community of belonging and flourishing for all.
Camps and Parachurch Ministries: We seek to support camps and parachurch ministries to expand their accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Until recent decades, those born with genetically atypical diagnoses, degenerative diseases, or those unable to contribute to socio-economic growth because of a disabling accident, mental illness, or disability have traditionally been ascribed lessor value, honor, and purpose. Stigmatization, segregation, and mistreatment were often the case. Unfortunately, Christians have also been guilty of this worldview. But Jesus turns this paradigm upside down!
The Imago and Missio Dei so beautifully illustrated in Paul's body analogy in 1 Corinthians 12 have huge potential for how we view typically-abled members and those whose abilities do not fit within what is typically considered "normal." If the image of God includes all--regardless of ethnicity, gender, socio-economic status or ability level, and all have God-ordained value and purpose, then we have an opportunity (and obligation!) to explore what it means to honor and receive the gifts of those with disabilities.