Promises to Joni and Jesus from our President, Shawn Thornton 

Since becoming president of Joni and Friends^®, I’ve witnessed firsthand how our outreaches are so much more than just programs. For instance, at our Oregon Family Retreat, where I met my buddy-for-life, Paul, I saw the fruit of our God-given kingdom vision and mission shine through joyful faces and new relationships.  

At our Wheels for the World^® distributions, not only do people receive mobility equipment; they receive the Good News of Jesus. And through our Joni’s House^® programs, families receive complete care, all in the name of our Lord and Savior. 

But when I recently asked Joni what she envisions for the ministry 25, 50, and even 75 years into the future, Joni and Friends programs weren’t her primary focus. 

The Essence and Future of Joni and Friends 

If you know Joni, whether personally or through her writing, speaking, and powerful kingdom impact, you have seen that she places one priority above all else: delivering the Gospel to struggling people, sending the Good News that changes everything to suffering souls worldwide. 

As Joni says, the Gospel sustains people with disabilities to rejoice. Only through the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ and the presence of His Holy Spirit, can suffering people find peace knowing that nothing falls outside God’s perfect purview.  

This means that people in wheelchairs, chronic pain, and heartbreaking circumstances don’t have to just wait for things to get better in heaven. Like Joni, they can rely on God’s grace and experience His joy every day! 

I am humbled and blessed by the faithful, Christ-centered leadership and influence of Joni Eareckson Tada, within this ministry and in the countless hearts and minds she has pointed to Jesus. And I am committed to preserving Joni’s clear Gospel focus through everything we do at Joni and Friends, now and for generations to come. 

Affirming Our Gospel Heartbeat  

Recently, our entire Joni and Friends staff together made foundational promises—to Joni and to Jesus. Today, I make these same promises to you regarding the future of our ministry. 

• First, I promise that Joni and Friends will continue to be a Gospel-centered ministry (not just a faith-based one). We commit to proclaiming salvation through Jesus Christ to one of the most unreached people groups on earth—the 1.3 billion people living with disabilities.  

• Second, I promise that we will teach that the same gracious Gospel which saves us eternally also sustains us daily. We will share how God is sovereign in suffering, bringing eternal meaning and His good purposes through our pain, disabilities, and tragedies.  

• Third, I promise that we will intensify our efforts to equip Gospel-centered local churches worldwide to fully embrace people living with disabilities and their families. 

To you, friend, I commit that when you support Joni and Friends with your prayers, time, talents, and treasures, you help deliver the biblical truth that God’s purposes are good, His promises are sure, and His joy is real, even in suffering.  

Will you join me in praying over these promises and asking God to advance His kingdom through every part of this ministry, now and for generations to come?  

Lord Jesus, we give thanks for Your resurrection—the gift that changes everything! Thank You for inviting us into Your purposes, sending us out to proclaim Your Gospel truth to a hurting world. Jesus, we pray that for generations to come, Joni and Friends will still be lifting high the cross, pointing people with disabilities to new life in You. Amen. 

-Shawn Thornton