Every person has important gifts that need to be shared with others and the church, but many families face real challenges with finding acceptance and a place to serve. Today on the podcast, Crystal is sharing a powerful message of hope from Emily Colson, daughter of the late Chuck Colson and mother to Max, her adult son who has a diagnosis of autism. Emily’s perfect world turned upside down following a painful divorce when Max was just a baby. As Max grew, challenges with autism became increasingly difficult for Emily…she was able to go out less and less and eventually even stopped going to church altogether. Emily never imagined that she’d be so disconnected from the spiritual life of the church because of Max’s diagnosis. But God used the words of Joni Eareckson Tada to encourage Emily’s heart: “Your church would be so blessed to have people with autism running up and down the aisles.” Emily took those words to heart and decided to find a way for her family to cross the threshold of the church. Listen as Emily shares how she ventured out in a creative way and how her church has been blessed through accepting and embracing Max as an indispensable part of the body of Christ. ...Do you know someone who has been disconnected from the body of Christ because of disability? We would love to connect you with a Christ-honoring, disability-friendly church in your area.  Email podcast@joniandfriends.org.Are you a leader who wants to learn more about how you can embrace people with disabilities in your church? Learn how you can grow a special needs ministry or connect to a ministry mentor. ...Other questions? Email Crystal at podcast@joniandfriends.org*Joni and Friends was founded in 1979 by Joni Eareckson Tada who in a diving accident was left a quadriplegic at 17 years old. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support. Over the past 40 years, the ministry has grown to serve thousands of people impacted by disability worldwide: Joni and Friends has delivered more than 150,000 wheelchairs and Bibles through Wheels for the World and provided Christian care to 63,000 special needs family members through Family Retreats. The organization also equips individuals and churches with disability ministry training and provides higher education courses through the Christian Institute on Disability. For more encouragement, download the Joni and Friends radio podcast in English or Spanish, and view inspirational videos on the Joni and Friends website.www.joniandfriends.org* You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.