Culture of Life

The Importance of Touch

The Importance of Touch

My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia before COVID. He is now in a nursing home where he is now being looked after with great care and kindness. In the first few months of lockdown, I could not touch him. It made me think about the importance of touch for most people.

Against All Odds - How God is Using Bipolar Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome to Spread the Gospel - Part 2

Against All Odds - How God is Using Bipolar Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome to Spread the Gospel - Part 2

By the numbers, Linda shouldn’t be here. Everything seemed to be stacked against her by worldly standards, and still seems that way. How could bullying, struggles with education, and psychiatric hospitalizations work for His plan? In part 2 of this series from Linda Bunk, see exactly how God is powerfully using all of these struggles to minister to people in Ukraine.

Author Interview: Parenting and Disabilities - Abiding in God's Presence

Author Interview: Parenting and Disabilities - Abiding in God's Presence

We’re thrilled to announce the launch of Steph Hubach’s new book “Parenting & Disabilities: Abiding in God’s Presence,” which was released yesterday. Read more of the story behind the book, and where to get your copy.

The Importance of Confronting Abusive Behavior 

The Importance of Confronting Abusive Behavior 

This post is shared as part of our series on sexual abuse trauma, but also addresses the importance of confronting and correcting abusive behavior of any kind. Repentance and transformation to the mind and actions of Christ must always be the goals.

Good Touch, Bad Touch: Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies for Parents

Good Touch, Bad Touch: Sexual Abuse Prevention Strategies for Parents

Guest bloggers Gail Averette and Sheila Sullivan share helpful tips and approaches for parents of teens and adult children with disabilities to help prevent sexual abuse. Join us on October 27 as Gail and Sheila will share tips and strategies for ministry leaders to prevent sexual abuse.

Equipped by God: A Missionary with Autism and Bipolar Disorder - Part 1

Equipped by God: A Missionary with Autism and Bipolar Disorder - Part 1

Guest blogger Linda Bunk lives with both high functioning autism and bipolar disorder. Linda is a gifted photographer, and now serves with SALT as a missionary to Ukraine. This is the first of three posts showing how God has uniquely equipped Linda for ministry in Ukraine and beyond.

How Children with Disabilities Have Fared During the Pandemic: A Sobering Report from the UK

How Children with Disabilities Have Fared During the Pandemic: A Sobering Report from the UK

Mark Arnold belongs to the Disabled Children’s Partnership, a UK-based organization that recently released the results of a series of surveys of UK families with children and young people with disabilities. The results are stark: the impact of the 18-months of the COVID-19 pandemic has been harrowing.

Four Questions For When the Fixer Can't Fix

Four Questions For When the Fixer Can't Fix

My children have autism. The children at our church are great with our kids: patient, kind, accepting and open to them. I am thankful, but—that is not enough. I want them to have authentic, organic friendships with people their own age. Here are four questions to help churches be places where the neurotypical and neurodivergent can grow together.

Lament: A Healing Path for the Whole Church

Lament: A Healing Path for the Whole Church

The day we received an official diagnosis explaining our daughter’s struggles, my husband and I cried. Actually, I literally wailed and groaned for at least half an hour. Carly’s diagnosis triggered a heart cry that special needs parents, families and individuals living with disability commonly understand, and can benefit the whole Church.

Ordinary Work Done In Extraordinary Ways

Ordinary Work Done In Extraordinary Ways

Over the summer, my husband Fred and I have been working through some course material from an organization which has as one of their objectives, “To help one’s family member to achieve ‘An Awesome Ordinary Life.’ ” It is so easy to lose sight of how extraordinary it is when an ordinary life is lived in faithful ways. Let me explain.