People with disabilities were at the heart and forefront of Jesus' earthly ministry therefore they should be at the center of church life today!
The church today has a Christian responsibility to make an inclusion ministry a top priority because over 50% of our Lord's earthly ministry was dedicated to people with disabilities
Quote from Jean Vanier
World renowned humanitarian, advocate for
people with disabilities, lecturer and author


"Building Relationships not Religion"
A Simple Faith.  A Sincere Faith.  A Strong Faith.


Following the example of Jesus by enabling and empowering people with disabilities!
Click
Here
Thank you to the above organizations for their promotional support and for featuring ads, interviews and stories on The Abilities Church


Protecting human rights for all people by promoting
social & religious inclusion within the whole community
Testimony from Harriet Weigel
AC is encouraging all community based organizations, agencies or groups to become equally inclusive with all faith groups by promoting a mutually diverse participation that respects the human, social and religious rights of the people they serve and support within the community.
"I read every page on your web site and am thrilled. God bless your inclusive ministry. I pray that others follow your lead, and begin opening doors of Worship to people with disabilities. I have dreamed of a church such as yours for over twenty years".

I currently serve over 800 people with disabilities, all of them in Ventura County, California, and communicate with another 900 people across the United States. It will be easy for me to spread the story of Abilities Church to over 100,000 people with disabilities and their advocates. They need to know your story.  People with disabilities have been invisible in the church for too long.

One of the things about your church that impresses me is that it's not a pat on the head ministry...it recognizes people that are real and empowers them. I feel closest to God when I am with people that are disabled or terminally ill. I am a Christian, and try to follow the teachings of Christ.  I don't like labels and am nondenominational. Buildings and finances don't impress me, hugs and kindness do.

The message of Christ has always been one of inclusion, but seldom interpreted that way. The Abilities church is building bridges, based on New Testament teachings that will span generations and bring many to the foot of the cross.

Your participation and efforts are the bricks of the project...your love for God the mortar.

I have seen the universal need for this church and its teaching for many years. Your mission is simple...examine the words written in red...and offer them to all. The message is as clear today as it was the day the carpenter spoke them,

"A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you".

Your web site is wonderful, every inch of it is covered with useful information. I want to memorize as much of it as possible and then with your permission...pass that information on to others".

Harriet Wiegel
Founder of Disabilities Ministries
Oxnard, California

Board of Directors
ARC Ventura County,
Ed Hunt's Rehab Point Project and
Community Advisor
Oxnard/Hueneme Police Clergy Council

Testimonies

"It was a privilege to be with you on Sunday.  I am excited about the start and vision for growth of this much needed church opportunity. The Abilities Church is responding to the call of God.  It is a sacred space that embraces and makes room for ability rather than accommodating and making special exceptions for disability.  Here, disability is not a barrier, it is a pathway into the presence of God.  It is about ministering with and to the whole community of God.   It's not about 'your disabled and I'm not', it is all about dwelling and communing together in the Imago Dei.  All have a place to belong, participate, be ministered too, and to minister - it is living Luke 4:18-21".  

Neil Cudney
Director of Pastoral Ministries
Christian Horizons

It's great to see the creation of a church that really "gets it". I have been involved in overseeing a disability ministry to cognitively impaired adults called "Me & My Friends" for over 17 years out of our local church. Our denomination has recognized the importance of the ministry and we are gearing up to create a church of our own very similar to what I see you are doing. I, too, have seen how those we consider weak are actually teaching us how to be, how to live, and how to love. I really like the name Abilities Church as it really emphasizes the fact that the Lord has given each of us certain abilities to lift up and glorify Him, to serve His church, and to reach out to others in His name, regardless of impairments or disabilities. We meet for social and spiritual activities like Friendship Night (praise, singing and signing, scripture lesson, fellowship) during the week, but have not as yet really broken out and started worshipping as a separate church or community of believers. Would love to use you as a resource if possible as we enter into unknown but exciting territory for us, leaning on the Lord to show us and direct us every step of the way".

Bill Hyde
Good Samaritan Church
Gahanna (Columbus), Ohio

"Pastor Rick and we loved your e-mail telling us about the wonderful experience you had in building your church.  We really appreciate the way you have positioned your church to include people with various disabilities in ministry positions.  What better way could you find than having people concentrate on others instead of dwelling on their own problems.  This is very healing and comforting... Our Saddleback Prayer Team will continue to pray that your church will keep on growing as you spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  God is blessing you for the good work you are doing..."

In His name,
Jim and Joan Dernocoeur
Assistants to Pastor Rick Warren
Saddleback Church

"It's great to read about your vision, your work, and about the cornerstones of your new church.  Our prayer team will be praying for you and your church as you seek to fulfill God's purposes".

God Bless,
David Chrzan
Chief of Staff
Saddleback Church
In The News!
Click on the logos below to read the stories in the Scarborough Mirror, The Toronto Star and Christian Week Magazine on The Abilities Church!

We at the Abilities Ministry understand that the church and community have natural elements of human segregation, prejudices and biases. No church or denomination is humanly perfect or has a monopoly on Christianity.  Jesus' greatest condemnation was against forms of organized religion that arrogantly criticized, segregated and discriminated against different groups of people. We at AMT are committed to fighting against all forms of segregation by becoming inclusive with all people and churches. We believe in respecting all churches by promoting Christian unity, diversity and love.  Different kinds and styles of churches are important because no one church can meet everyone's preferences, expectations and needs. Together we are one Body!

A place where everyone is accepted and treated equally!
Maintaining an equal congregational balance between people with and without visible disabilities

Challenging Segregation
Copyright ©2011
Abilities Church Ministry
An Inclusion Ministry
“Hi Everybody, This is what I think about the Abilities Church.... Complete acceptance and the freedom to participate and have fun…The AC is a place, not just for my special needs son Michael but for me too and you if you are reading this, it is a place for you as well. Walk through the doors at 6 o'clock on Sunday and you will know you belong there too and you will see church going in a whole new way”... Judy Stonkus

“I find that the Church offers the people I support with a happy, healthy place to explore their faith.  The camaraderie and openness is exactly what will help with their journey.  It is a welcoming space that is finally long over due for people who have a wide spectrum of abilities. There isn’t a disability at the Church; there are only varied differences, all of whom are children of God. IT’S ABOUT TIME!  The people whom I serve find the music and fellowship wonderful.  Often greeting friends and enjoying their company all the while being able to praise and enjoy their community”. Robert McCarrol (Midland Group Home)

"Music, joy, celebration! The Abilities Church provides a wonderfully inviting and inclusive environment. It is a place for, "all the children" to shine...young and old, for we are all God's children."  Angie Littlefield

“My friend and I visited for the first time yesterday (friends of ours are members of your congregation). We enjoyed every moment - the casual relaxed atmosphere that was inclusive and accepting - the spacious sanctuary and hall - the music, prayer and fellowship. The concert and musicians were wonderful; we are excited about and eager to attend a 'regular service'.  It was heart warming to see a diverse group of people worshiping the Lord. We are all unique but we are equal in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. People who are visibly differently abled have an advantage: their limitations show. The rest of us are hurting, broken, wounded and 'dis-abled' on the inside, where it doesn't show. Sadly, that makes it easier for us to hide, to pretend we're OK and deny our deepest hurts and needs. We 'do church' whereas the congregation at Abilities Church ARE church - authentic before the Lord…. I can imagine Jesus up in Heaven smiling at you folks at Abilities Church, saying, if only ALL my children could love us like this. Imagine what we could do... I will invite my friends, parents of an adult autistic son, to your services. Then I'm sure they will invite others. The Lord will bless and grow your church: believe it”.  Your friend, Vera
Inclusion at its best!
What people are saying!
“My dedication service was back in the 1930s so you know I have been to a lot of churches .. and a lot of denominations .. and a variety of religions over the decades! But I have never before been part of a fellowship where the percentage of visible disabilities reflects the percentage of handicapped in our society .. nor where the differently-abled are valued as people who teach us the meaning of Christ's teachings and God's love. I've seen people hang back from church attendance because they don't want an uncomfortable experience listening to someone drone on about things they can't understand or relate to .. or where they sense the hypocrisy between the words spoken and the actions felt .. so it's wonderful to see my physically and/or developmentally handicapped friends find going to the Abilities Church is fun, that God loves them .. and so do we!”  Dory
Jordan is a young man with down syndrome and autism




Youth & Invisible Disabilities
There are many invisible disabilities & disorders, such as depression, mental illnesses, ADD, ADHP and learning disabilities that contribute towards youth rebellion, violence and crimes. The Abilities Church is a place of understanding and support for youth seeking to make a positive difference within their own lives and community!



Your donations and gifts will help tear down the walls of social discrimination, isolation and segregation for people living with disabilities by helping to build bridges of inclusion, diversity, equality, dignity, awareness and empowerment.    ACM is both a community church and cause for INCLUSION. Please give today!

1. Celebrating the presence of God in worship through an inclusive church for people of all ages and abilities.
1 Corinthians 12:14-27

2. Communicating the power of God's Word without denominational biases, pretense and compromise.
1 Corinthians 1-4

3. Commitment to prayer through an attitude of spiritual boldness and brokenness. James 5:15-16

4. Compelling all people to personally know Jesus and to grow in Him through a pure and simple child-like faith. Matthew 18:1-6

5.Challenging our pride within the church by making, "the least among us the greatest in God's Kingdom".  Luke 7:28

6. Conforming our personality to the "attitude" of Jesus through a spirit of humility, sincerity and love.  Philippians 2:5

Jesus is our Chief Corner Stone
Ephesians 2:20

The 5 stages of changing attitudes
towards people with intellectual disabilities
By Jean Vanier



Which stage are you at in your relationship to people
with disabilities within your church or community?
1. The first is to react of the disabled with fear of their "abnormal" behavior or disfiguration, to say they are a disorder, and as a result to reject them and seek to get rid of them. This was Hitler's reaction.  Isolation Stage

2. The second is more widespread: the disabled are human beings, but they are pitiful little fellows whom we should take care of in big institutions. This was a common reaction in the late nineteenth century.  Institutional Stage

3. The third involves getting to know the disabled, understanding their needs and responding with competence.  This attitude seeks to help them to grow, recognizing that they are not just pitiable but they are human beings like us, who elicits respect and compassion.  You find this reaction a lot in places like Canada, where we have integrated schools and so on. People with disabilities can grow in maturity and autonomy if they are helped and respected. Over 90% of people and organizations are at this stage. Inclusion is a concept or program but not a personal reality. In-service Stage

4. The fourth stage is wonderment and thanksgiving: we discover that, by becoming close to disabled people and entering an authentic relationship with them, they transform us. They help us to move from the desire for personal success and power to a desire to be with those who are weak and help them to be just as they are, knowing that we receive as much or even more than we give.  Identification Stage

5. In the fifth stage, which is close to the fourth, we see the face of God within the disabled. Their presence is a sign of God, who has  chosen "the foolish things in order to confound the strong, the proud, and so-called wise of our world". And so those we see as weak or marginalized are, in fact, the most worthy and powerful among us: they bring us closer to God. They turn our world upside down!  Jesus commands us to follow this stage. Inspiration Stage
Freedom
Dignity
Diversity
Respect
Unity



Experience the Inclusive Difference!
Inclusion involves the whole community and it begins with you!



Participating
Organizations


Community Living Toronto

Salvation Amy

Christian Horizons

Pace Independent Living

Participation House Durham

New Visions Toronto

Surrey Place

Surrex

Bloorview Kids Rehab

Community Living Pickering, Ajax and Whitby

Vita

L'Arche Homes
"People
without
disabilities tend to "do" church but people with disabilities tend to "be" church"
Inclusion is a human right that includes all people and groups equally

Life is 10% what happens to us and 90% how we react to it.  It is not what happens "to you" but what happens "in you" that makes the real difference in your life
"Making room for ability rather than  just accommo-dating and making special exceptions for disability"

"Disability" is defined as a disadvantage or deficiency or as some-thing that hinders or incapacitates
About 3.6 million Canadians have one or more disabilities.  That's more than one in every eight Canadians

“People with disabilities have taught me more about the gospel and even about human relations than all the great psychological and philosophical concepts; or rather they  have allowed me to catch a glimpse of what   should be true theology, true philosophy and true psychology, for this am truly grateful to them.  More than this, I have discovered Jesus in them, Jesus radiating goodness, Jesus the mirror   of purity, Jesus meek and humble, and sometimes Jesus suffering and in agony… truly strength lies   in weakness...  So- called "normal" men often hide their real selves behind    a wall of timidity, hardness, and a certain hypocrisy and quest for social esteem.  They are almost afraid to show themselves as they are.  The mentally handicapped are    not like this.  Those fortunate enough to know them when they live in a happy atmosphere where they can develop to     their  full potential, have experienced the gentleness and  confidence expressed by their outstretched hands.  The defective has nothing to lose.  He can show himself as he is...The affectionate and delicate gesture of a   so-called "subnormal" man has more value before God and for the  world  than great human acts carried out with a desire for power and domination..."
*
*
"True inclusion is a human right  that does not discriminate or exclude people or groups on the bases of religion, politics, social status, poverty, race, morality or disability.  Inclusion brings all people and groups together to celebrate our common humanity"

Jean Vanier
On a ratio of 1 to 10 how  inclusive are you with people and groups that are different from you?



Disability Statistics
There are 600 million people that are affected by disabilities worldwide. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, about 49.7 million Americans have a disability, which includes people of all ages. About two-thirds of these individuals have a severe disability.  There are I4.4 million disabled Canadians - 14.3% . Ontario has 1.85 million disabled people - 15.5%  What percentage of your congregation has disabilities?  Does your church reflect this diversity?  95% of people with disabilities do not attend church because we have failed to equally identify with them and included them.
13 Biblical Reasons for an Abilities Ministry
  1. Jesus' ministry was authenticated by people with disabilities. 
      Matthew 11:2-5
  2. The purpose of disabilities and child-like attitudes is to display
      the works of God. John 9:1-41;  Matthew 21:14-16
  3. We are commanded to invite and bring people with disabilities                to all our social gatherings and events. Luke 14:12; 21
  4. The greatest in God's Kingdom are the least among us. Matthew
      18:1-7; Mark 10:13-16.
  5. We are commanded to become as weak to the weak. 1 Cor 9:22;             Romans 15:1
  6. God favors the weak members of the body. 1Cor 12: 24
  7. God always uses the weak to lead and teach the "so called strong".
     1Cor 1:25-29
  8. God does not look on the outward appearance but on the heart.     
     1 Sam 16:7
  9. True strength comes through our weakness because God's power
      is perfected through our human weaknesses. 2 Cor. 12:7-10
10. Jesus did not come for the healthy but for the sick. Matt 9:12-13
11. True faith is child-like and focuses on love. Matt 18:3, 4; 19:14;
      1 Cor 13:2
12. God gives grace to the humble but resists the proud. James 4:6
13. Ministering to people with disabilities was a  top priority for
     Jesus. Matthew  4:23-25; 15:30-32

A Priority Ministry!
An Inclusion Ministry or practicing inclusion within the church is not a personal vision but a Biblical mandate for the whole Church to follow.  Luke 14:12; 23



Let us inspire your audience!
Kenny Rojas was born completely visually impaired, Robert Gagnon was born with Cerebral Palsy and Jaime Castro is a leading advocate for people with disabilities.  Kenny, Robert and Jaime will inspire your audience with their music and message.  To book our Abilities team please e-mail us at: abilitiesministry@hotmail.com   
Abilities 4 Life
You will be transformed as you discover the purpose and power of disabilities!
Disabilities & Poverty are connected!
520 million people are struggling to survive poverty and disabilities.  Only 5% of the world lives on more than $100/day.  Almost half the world's population- 3.1 billion people- live on less than $2.50/day. 1.4 billion people live on less than $1.25/day.  We believe that people who are affected by disabilities and poverty should be given first place within the  church because Jesus taught us that "the least among us are the greatest in God's Kingdom".
The Hollywood mentality in the Church


"The greatest disabilities are sin, pride, fear, deceit, discrimination and denial"

Nick Vujicic
Thank you for giving towards inclusion and equality for children, youth, adults and seniors living with disabilities in the church and community!

The first Christian ministry promoting an equal congregational
balance between people with and without visible disabilities
Abilities Church Ministry
A place for everyone
Disabilities affects all people
Every person will be affected by one or more disabilities within their life time. The definition of "disability" includes everyone.
It is defined as "a disadvantage or deficiency or as something that hinders or incapacities". Some subtle disabilities or disorders that affect many people are depression, anxiety, paranoia, compulsiveness, ADD, ADHD obsessiveness, bipolar, schizophrenia, sleeping and eating disorders, asthma, allergies, high and low blood pressure, diabetes, deficient eye sight and hearing.   Every human being has either visible or invisible disabilities.  There are physical, intellectual/development, mental/psychological, chronic, genetic, learning/cognitive, social, spiritual, emotional and aging disabilities that affect people.
Give the gift of Inclusion
AC is both a community based ministry and social cause for inclusion that is bringing people of all abilities and ages
together to celebrate our common humanity & faith in Christ!
1. Many people hide behind false pretenses
2. Many Christians wear masks of performance
3. Many Churches are stereotypical and plastic
Why a ministry for real people?
1. Lack of interest in people with disabilities
2. Lack of identification with people with disabilities
3. Lack of inclusion with people with disabilities
Why An
Abilities Ministry?
Stepping outside your comfort zone


People with disabilities should be first in the church and not last!
Jesus commanded us to honor "the least among us as the greatest in God's Kingdom" and to personally
practice inclusion by inviting and bringing people with disabilities to all our social gatherings. Luke 14:12, 21

Recording Artists, Aileen Lombardo & Justin Hines at AC!
WDCX FM 99.5 Interview on Neil Boran Live
Jesus commands us to equally invite and include people with disabilities!
Equality

Testimony from Billy Graham Association
"Recently, I was privileged to hear you speak at a luncheon held at Centre Street Church. Thank you so much for sharing. It was fascinating to hear what you are doing in your church. I admire your goal to maintain balance between disabled and non-disabled people – it means that yours is truly a church that’s all about inclusion, not one where disabled people are “misfits” who can’t attend a “regular” church".

Carina Kwok, Communications Advisor
Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
of Canada

The Abilities Worship Band ministering at Faith Family Books & Gifts in Scarborough Ontario
1 in 5 Canadians will be affected by mental Illness and addictions

Many churches/Christians have embraced the Hollywood mentality in favoring
the beautiful, gifted and smart but God is not impressed with our looks, talent
or knowledge but with our honesty, humility and love.  God does not look on the outward appearance but on the heart.  God always uses the weak to teach and lead the "so called" strong.  Jesus taught us that we must receive the kingdom
of God as little children and that the least among us are the greatest in God's kingdom.  We should favor the physically and intellectual weak over the strong.  God always uses the foolish things of the world to confound the "so called" wise and mighty. Matt 19:14,30; Mark 9:12, 10:14-16,31; Luke 7:28, Luke 18:16-17


God is not impressed with our human excellence but with our humility and love!
Click 100 Huntley Street logo to view their story on
The Abilities Ministry.
Click CBM Canada logo to read testimony from their Executive Director,
AC Team & founder of Famous PEOPLE Players, Diane Dupuis
Pastor Jaime's Interview on WDCX- FM 99.5
Message from Founding Pastor & President
I'm delighted that you have taken the time to visit us online today. ACM is the
first fully inclusive Christian ministry for the whole community with an equal representation of people with and without visible disabilities within our leader-ship team and congregation. You can Share Our Vision by starting your own Abilities ministry, booking our mobile team, making a donation or worshiping with us at one of our Abilities Ministry locations. Everyone is able in Christ!

Blessings,
Jaime E. Castro,
Founder and President
Abilities Church Ministry
The Abilities team and worship band ministered at Kingdom Bound 2011
as quest speakers and musicians.
Uniting the church and community through the Biblical mandate of inclusion!


The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
View photos from visit to
Abilities Church- Click Here
Nick Vujicic with  Abilities Team
SUNDAY WORSHIP
One Service with 3 times of arrival for group homes
1100 Bellamy Rd. North @ 10:45am, 11:45am or 12:15pm
Click here 4 more details

  Community Flyer      Group Home Flyer       Ministry Brochure
Pastor Rob & Clay Dyer at the Prayer Palace in Toronto
Ability is a Biblical Word!

Did you know that the word disability is not mentioned in the Bible but that the english word Ability is mentioned 7 times.
1. Le 27:8
2. Ezr 2:69
3. Ne 5:8
4. Da 1:4
5. Mt 25:15 *
6. Ac 11:29
7. 1 Pe 4:11 *

The word Ability is the greek word DUNAMIS which is literally  translated as Power. This Greek word occurs 118 times in the N/T and can be translated as "Force, Abundance, Strength or Virtue".
The Abilities Church team ministering at Kingdom Bound 2011!
Your gifts today will help us sustain and develop our ministry as we continue to lead the way together in providing and promoting inclusion within the church and community for children, youth, adults and seniors living with both physical and/or development disabilities. Thank you for your support!  Together we are making an inclusive difference.
Give the gift of inclusion!
Breaking News!
100 Huntley Street aired their 2nd report on the Abilities Ministry on January 2nd on Global and CTS. Click here to view. Also listen to our 5th live interview on WDCX 99.5FM that was aired on Thursday January 26, 2012
Present and Past Sponsors
Following the example of Jesus in giving people with disabilities a priority within the church
Experiencing a deeper presence of God and strengthening the church through the power and praise that our human disabilities brings