Guest Post from Sara Webb
“What might the church look like if people with profound and complex intellectual disabilities were conceived of as disciples with a distinct vocation—a calling given them by Jesus?” —John Swinton
I am sitting on my couch this morning drinking my second cup of coffee (with more to come, I am sure), trying to find the energy to start moving this Monday morning. I am recovering from a 4-day Discipleship Camp at Timber Wolf Lake with Capernaum friends from the midwest—and recovery is slow for my body. My body is spent, but my heart is so full. I would love to share with you why this camp has given me so much life!
Author John Swinton has become one of my heroes and teachers as I continue to grow in my understanding of disability. If you are a book nerd like me, I would encourage you to read his book Becoming Friends of Time: Disability, Timefullness, and Gentle Discipleship. One of Swinton’s thoughts has been a loud voice in my head over the past year, and has given me a discipleship vision for Capernaum ministry in the Western Great Lakes Region:
“What might the church look like if people with profound and complex intellectual disabilities were conceived of as disciples with a distinct vocation—a calling given them by Jesus?”
What might Capernaum look like if we saw our friends as disciples who are gifted and called by Jesus? This week at discipleship camp, I saw what it looks like and it is incredible!
I saw leaders who were growing leaders. I saw Capernaum friends lead. I saw friends try and learn new skills. I saw the next generation of leaders in our churches and in Capernaum.
Seeing our friends as gifted gave our friends the opportunity to make four bunk beds for Sleep in Heavenly Peace, pack 300 bags of popcorn for hungry kids in Grand Rapids, and serve each other in the dining hall.
It also looked like friends praying for each other and leading each other in learning about vertical habits of loving God and leading others. It was also a petting zoo, go-carts, a dance party and karaoke night because we also love to play together!
My heart is overflowing and I am so excited to see how we can bring this same focus to each of our Capernaum ministries here in our region. Our friends are gifted. Our friends are called. Our friends have the ability to grow in their faith and serve others. My heart and mind are racing at the potential. My body will recover and catch up…maybe a third cup of coffee will help!
Sara Webb serves as Regional Capernaum Coordinator for Young Life’s Western Great Lakes Region. Capernaum is the branch of Young Life that reaches students and young adults with disabilities. Sara provides training and vision for the existing Capernaum ministries in our region and is working to establish new ministries.
> FIND a Young Life Capernaum ministry in the Western Great Lakes Region near you:
Northeast Grand Rapids Capernaum
Grand Rapids SouthWest Capernaum
> WATCH and PRAY for these new Capernaum ministries hoping to launch this fall:
Central Grand Rapids (East GR/Grand Rapids Christian Schools)
South Bend, IN (Penn High School)
> SHARE this post with others by using the social media icons below or subscribe at the top of the page to receive notifications in your inbox whenever there is a new post.
