Jabez Ministries is rather unique ministry of persons with disabilities. A ministry not necessarily “for” those who are disabled.
Over the last couple of years we’ve made it part of our mission to make its supporters, and other interested parties, aware of Jabez Ministries mission and vision. This is a ministry by and with persons with disabilities. Together with those who’ve been with the group for a number of years, Team Jabez, serve with me on the college campuses we serve. The path towards spiritual maturity, as with anyone, disabled or otherwise, is though service.
Below is our ministry statement that we’ve built up and drafted together as we’ve ministered since 2012.
Jabez Ministries
A ministry by and with persons with disabilities
Our Name:
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez saying “I gave birth to him in pain.” Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”
1 Chronicles 4: 9-10 (NIV)
This ministry takes it’s name from the biblical account of Jabez. His is the story of a person who wants to live with honor and dignity as a child of God not according to the preconceptions or the circumstances of life, nor to be a burden to others, but to have a meaningful purpose in God’s kingdom.
Our Mission:
Our mission statement is expressed by the one line in the letterhead: “A ministry by and with persons with disabilities”.
As disability ministry, we seek to encourage those with disabilities to become ministers and leaders for Christ. We’re also a campus ministry because that’s is where God has led this ministry to so that we can offer pastoral care, emotional support and discipleship to those brothers and sisters with disabilities, who are in the process of learning, adapting and maturing, as living in the Kingdom of Heaven requires towards God’s glory.
Our Vision:
This ministry seeks to develop the God-given gifts of persons with disabilities for kingdom service in their churches and communities.
We see the word “disabled” as a secondary descriptive term that, while part of our being, it does not, ultimately, define us. We define ourselves, as we all should, by our identity as brothers and sisters in Christ.
In others words, in Christ we have our identities. Not in labels.
We believe the God calls us not because our abilities, nor does he not call us because because of our inabilities. He will equip and gift us for the work he calls us to do. It is, perhaps, best summed up in these words by Joni Erickson-Tada: “A disability of ministry is not a disability ministry until the disabled are ministering.”
Please prayerfully consider your support for this unique and needed ministry.
Thank you and Blessings!
Rev. Peter J. Gordon
Director and pastor, Jabez Ministries
Please contact us at:
844 Merrifield SE
Grand Rapids, Mi 49507
Ph. 616.452.7499 (landline)
Cell: 616.328.2175 (text only please)
E-mail: Jabezministriesgr@gmail.com
Please send donations to:
Jabez Ministries
1641 Willowbrook Dr.
Jenison, MI 49428
Please visit our Facebook page and YouTube channel
This ministry is a 501.3(c) nonprofit
Great mission and understandable statement. Praise God for the work you are doing.
Blessings, Shirley Snoeyink