“I view my disability as a gift from God.”
TORONTO, ON—Robert Gagnon wants churches to realize that people with visible disabilities can transform their congregations if given the chance.
Born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, Gagnon recently launched a ministry called Abilities in Christ. The new ministry is designed to help people with visible disabilities find equal opportunities to minister within the church and community.
"I view my disability as a gift from God," writes Gagnon in a release about Abilities in Christ. "I use it to speak God's power, purpose and praise into people's lives."
Gagnon hopes his own story will inspire people to realize that anything is possible with God, regardless of the level of ability, social status, sickness, problems or challenges.
"I came to know the Lord at a young age and He has been faithful to help me grow in the life of Christ," writes Gagnon in an e-mail interview. "He healed me of epilepsy in 1995 and began a healing of cerebral palsy so gradually the signs of the disability have dropped off.
"I believe God allows disability into our lives to strengthen us and make us dependent on Him."
Gagnon credits God with helping him pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree from Redeemer University College and a master's of Theological Studies from Tyndale University College. He eventually found himself in ministry as a pastor at Abilities Church.
Abilities Church started in September 2009 and then became a ministry of LivingHope Christian Church this year. Now known as Abilities Ministry Toronto, the ministry operates two departments: AMT—a worship ministry associated with LivingHope, and AC International—an independent and interdenominational inclusion ministry supporting churches in becoming equally inclusive towards people with disabilities.
Gagnon is now the ministry advocate at LivingHope, where he's involved in the prayer ministry and two small groups, one of which is for people seeking ordained ministry.
"I've done Scripture readings and most recently I preached there for the first time," says Gagnon, who is also preparing for ordination with the Anglican Network in Canada.
Gagnon's new vision, through Abilities in Christ, is to "encourage churches to bring people with disabilities to the forefront and to see how they can minister for Christ in the church.
"Churches need to understand the disabled have something to contribute to the ministry of the church. They have a particular understanding of life and how God uses our weakness to show His strength," says Gagnon.
The ministry will focus on helping churches discover six principles about people with disabilities including teaching about four Bible characters with visible disabilities, the biblical purpose of disabilities, how people with disabilities authenticated Jesus' ministry, and why Jesus gave priority to people with disabilities.
"Christianity started out as a challenge to culture in the way that it handled people with disabilities," says Gagnon. "There's a lot of evidence the early Christian church provided refuge and shelter to people with disabilities and honoured them as equal members of their community."
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