Bringing Lonely People into The Body of Christ

“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.”

Psalm 25:16

Trevor was born four months premature with cerebral palsy, an enlarged heart, underdeveloped organs, a brain bleed, staph infection, and lungs that collapsed three times. Doctors told Trevor’s parents that even if he survived, which seemed unlikely at the time, he would never walk or talk.

Yet as the years went by, Trevor not only survived, he learned to walk first by using a walker, then with the assistance of forearm crutches, and eventually – after surgery at the age of six – Trevor began to walk independently.

Even though Trevor experienced the miracles of learning to walk and talk, he still struggled with loneliness. He didn’t know any other children with cerebral palsy. Like many individuals living with a disability, Trevor felt painfully alone. Who could he turn to in his darkest hour? Was there anyone willing to be that friend described in the Bible who sticks closer than a brother?

“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 18:24

At age fifteen, Trevor found that friend when he gave his heart to Jesus, and in that moment, Christ began to fill his void and rescue Trevor from his loneliness.

Trevor began to share his story, inspiring people all across Ohio and throughout the country. After graduating from high school, he began a ministry for individuals with disabilities. Having cerebral palsy himself, Trevor understands much of what people affected by disability are going through.

“I believe those who have been through the fire need to help others out of the fire.”

Yet while Trevor did his part to encourage other people living with disability, he found loneliness creeping into his life again. Once more, Trevor turned to Jesus to fill the holes in his lonely heart, and the Lord answered Trevor’s prayers through Joni and Friends Ohio.

“God places the lonely in families; he sets the prisoners free and gives them joy.”

Psalm 68:6

Now as a young adult, Trevor has become a wonderful advocate for Joni and Friends Ohio. Trevor says that Joni and Friends has helped him develop his leadership skills in disability ministry and has given him the tools and resources needed to succeed. Trevor showcases the vision of Joni and Friends: A world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. He now uses his gifts to give back to the ministry he loves and speaks at Joni and Friends events. He has become our true co-laborer in sharing the Gospel!

Trevor boldly proclaims, “I consider cerebral palsy the greatest blessing in my life because it has opened so many doors to share the Gospel to so many who are hurting and looking for hope. Challenges, pain, and suffering are a guarantee when you live in a broken world. But the One who created the world can turn our brokenness into something beautiful. What the enemy meant for evil, God meant for good. I have claimed 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 as my life verse…

“He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”