USA (MNN) — Do you yearn for the fellowship of other Christians, or would you rather go without? For Linda, “desperate times call for desperate measures.”
One afternoon, Linda removed the cold-air return register from her wall and created an opening big enough for her to enter the adjoining bedroom. She repeated the process, and was about to enter a third bedroom when she was interrupted by caretakers.
“I am digging a tunnel so I can go to church when I want to, and not wait for a ride,” Linda explained, when questioned about her activities. It was a straightforward answer, though maybe not what the caretakers expected.
To Sally Gallagher of King’s Table Ministries, Linda’s story is a good reminder for Western believers. It’s easy to take freedoms–especially the freedom to attend church and fellowship with other believers–for granted.
“It’s very humbling to hear a story like that…that somebody, a sweet girl, would dig a hole in a wall… [to get to] her local church.”
You see, Linda is a member of an unreached people group that can be found within every nation. Though they often want to learn about Christ, Linda’s people are usually overlooked by Christians, even within the U.S.
“Sometimes we think they just go along happily in life; maybe they don’t understand Jesus, maybe they don’t worship, whatever the case may be,” says Gallagher. “Sometimes I think the Church forgets that…by developing relationships with them, it’s a huge blessing”
(Photo courtesy of The King’s Table Ministries)
Linda is a member of the special needs community. According to World Bank data, one billion people–or 15% of the world’s population–experience some form of disability. In the U.S., more than 56 million people, or 18.7% of the population, live with a disability of some kind.
King’s Table exists to connect this population with the Body of Christ. Often, Gallagher says, it’s a Matthew 9 scenario: the fields are ripe, but the workers are few.
“We could use another 50 to 75 volunteers,” Gallagher shares. “I could use some really solid, loving Christian people that would like to get involved in this ministry.”
Call the MNN office (800-284-9361) to be connected with Sally, or click here to fill out an e-mail form on the King’s Table website. If your church would like to open its doors to the special needs community, click here to learn about the King’s Table Local Church Initiative.
“I have many families that would like to be plugged in to a local church. I get phone calls and notes [asking where to go].”
Finally, remember Galatians 5:13 and 14: “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Praying!