Challengers Ministry

Challenger's Ministry

The Challengers Ministry at Christ Is the Answer Ministries (CITAM) is dedicated to supporting and empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) within the church and the wider community. The ministry ensures inclusivity and accessibility, promoting the active participation of PWDs in all aspects of church life. This ministry serves individuals with physical, sensory, intellectual, and developmental disabilities and their families.

Mission Statement

To create an inclusive environment where persons with disabilities are empowered to thrive spiritually, socially, and emotionally within the body of Christ.

Key Objectives

  1. Integration: Facilitate the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all church activities, ensuring they have equal opportunities to minister and be ministered to.
  2. Empowerment: Encourage individuals with disabilities to utilize their gifts and talents in service to God and the church.
  3. Advocacy: Raise awareness within the congregation about the needs, rights, and contributions of persons with disabilities.
  4. Accessibility: Work towards eliminating physical, social, and attitudinal barriers within the church environment.

Activities and Programs

  1. Inclusive Worship Participation: Ensure that persons with disabilities are actively involved in worship services, including roles such as reading Scripture and offering prayers.
  2. Support Groups: Organize regular support meetings for PWDs and their families to share experiences, offer encouragement, and foster a sense of community.
  3. Accessibility Improvements: Advocate for and implement changes to make church facilities accessible to everyone.
  4. Specialized Training: Conduct training sessions for church leaders and congregants on how to engage and interact with PWDs effectively.

Key Events

  1. Challengers Sunday: An annual service celebrating the contributions of PWDs, featuring their active participation in various roles during worship.
  2. Awareness Campaigns: Events aimed at educating the church and community on issues affecting persons with disabilities.
  3. Community Outreach: Programs to support PWDs outside the church, including visits to rehabilitation centers and homes for people with special needs.
  4. Workshops and Seminars: Educational sessions on disability rights, inclusion, and empowerment.

Biblical Foundation

The Challengers Ministry is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize inclusion, love, and valuing every individual as part of the body of Christ:

  1. “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” – Romans 12:4-5
  2. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.” – 1 Corinthians 12:27
  3. “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2
  4. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” – Genesis 1:27

Requirements to Join

  1. Active Membership: Be a registered and active member of CITAM.
  2. Compassion and Understanding: Exhibit a heart of empathy and a willingness to support PWDs with patience and love.
  3. Commitment to Service: Dedicate time and energy to participate in ministry activities and events consistently.
  4. Team Collaboration: Work effectively with other ministry members and church leaders to promote inclusivity.
  5. Willingness to Learn: Attend training sessions to enhance understanding of disability issues and best practices.

How to Contribute to Our Mission

  1. Prayer Support: Pray for the ministry’s impact and for the empowerment of persons with disabilities.
  2. Volunteer Assistance: Offer your time to assist in organizing events, providing transportation, or supporting specific needs of PWDs.
  3. Resource Provision: Contribute resources such as assistive devices, financial support, or materials to improve accessibility.
  4. Advocacy: Promote awareness and advocate for the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities within and outside the church.

Recurrent Meetings

  1. Support Group Meetings: Monthly gatherings for persons with disabilities and their families to share and connect.
  2. Leadership Meetings: Regular discussions among ministry leaders to plan and review initiatives.
  3. Volunteer Training Sessions: Periodic sessions to equip volunteers with skills to engage effectively with PWDs.