Thursday, June 22, 2006
Ministry Reports
Overview of goals for personal ministry as well as Mephibosheth Ministry
Overall Goal:
I am blessed that Mary Jane Ponten has invited me into partnership with her to learn the operations of Mephibosheth Ministry and ultimately transition to the role of director. This is what I want to do. The direction of the overall vision of Mephibosheth, to present God’s Word and his love to people who face physical or mental challenges around the world, is becoming clearer as Mary Jane and I continue to talk. The future is bright for this ministry, and I’m excited to see where God will lead us.
History
I have known Mary Jane Ponten since the late 1970s. During the first ten years or so, I rarely saw her, but eventually we were meeting at least once a year at the Cerebral Palsy annual dinner. In 1992, Mary Jane and her friend John Nix started Mephibosheth Ministry, and I was happy for them. I was somewhat curious too, I guess, but thought little of it as I was just beginning my journey into adulthood.
In 1998, when I received my call to full time ministry with a focus on people with disabilities, one of the first persons I told was Mary Jane. I knew she had her ministry and was hopeful she would be willing to guide me as I looked for my niche. My background is writing, and I wanted to combine my writing skills and my experience of having a disability with my passion for Jesus Christ.
Mary Jane did summersaults when I told her I had given my life over to Christ, and I suspect that she started praying that day for a partnership between her and me. Even my mom realized from day one that I might have a place in the Mephibosheth family when she wondered out loud what the ministry’s future held.
During a friendly lunch one day, Mary Jane asked me if I would be interested in coming aboard as an associate of the ministry. The way she put it, I’d be like an independent contractor. I would have to raise my own funds and run my own projects, but I would have the backing of the ministry. Needless to say, I was listening!
Mary Jane officially invited me to join her ministry on May 2, 2003. During the last three years, I have faithfully represented the ministry as I continue to follow my calling. This has included participating in church and spiritual activities; being on the leadership team for Young Life’s Partners program (a club for teenagers with disabilities), continuing to grow my writing ministry by participating in online chats, attending conferences, and pursuing publishing opportunities, both traditional and self-publishing. I am also committed to improving my physical abilities by going to physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
Some concrete examples of my reaching out in ministry have included:
• Establishing a website, www.taitberge.com.
• Self-publishing a devotional book called Capernaum Moments.
• Writing for publications including the Quiet Hour and The Upper Room.
• Pubic speaking to church groups and businesses on raising awareness about people with disabilities.
• Mentoring young adults with disabilities.
• Becoming a board member of the Cerebral Palsy Association.
• Fundraising.
In April 2004, I had the opportunity to attend the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities conference in Indianapolis, accompanied by my aide from the Independence Center. The experience taught me about fundraising, travel planning, getting around in a strange city without direct support, not to mention meeting people and learning at the conference itself.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to work with Mary Jane at our booth and worked alone for a few hours. What I remember most, however, is watching Mary Jane interact with people who stopped by the booth. Many were her friends, and I was blessed when she introduced me as the one God has chosen to lead the ministry some day. I felt like the young David who knew his destiny way before it ever happened. When I’ve had doubts about this partnership, I have come back to this scene in Indianapolis.
Moving Forward
With a complete trust that Jesus Christ will continue to do good works though Mephibosheth and me, I now want to turn to the future. I realize that God is always in charge and He always has the last word. I do believe, however, that I must prayerfully make plans for ministry and myself. With this in mind, I propose:
I. Affiliation with Mephibosheth
• Continue my education through Biblical studies and keep up to date with issues in the disability community.
• Learn the business aspect of this ministry.
• Continue to build up relationships and network with other leaders in disabled ministry. This includes seeking to become a Ministry Associate of Joni and Friends and attending the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities conference in November 2006.
• Participate in an overseas mission trip.
II. Personal Goals for Ministry
My relationship with Jesus is the number one priority in my life. He made me, gave me dreams, and I must follow Him faithfully. I’m blessed to be able to come aside Mary Jane and have the support of Mephibosheth Ministry. At the same time, I still have a vision given by God. I’m excited to work with Him as He works out His plan through my life. I love Him more everyday and just want to complete the work He gave me to do. With that said, I present my vision for my life and ministry in the following ways:
• To continue my walk with Jesus through worship, prayer, study, small groups, and retreats.
• Maintain and improve my physical abilities through therapy and exercise.
• Continue to write and publish. This includes writing my book, Seeing Through Jesus’ Eyes, a Bible study designed to help the everyday Christians relate to people with disabilities.
• To meet and mentor people with disabilities.
• Develop a disabled ministry using postmodern principles as outlined by N,T. Wright, Brian McLaren, and the emergent community (www.emergentvillage.com).
I continue to pray that my goals are in line with the vision of Mephiboseth Ministry. I believe they are, and that excites me. May God use my partnership with Mephibosheth Ministry to accomplish great things for His Kingdom.
Tait Berge
Overall Goal:
I am blessed that Mary Jane Ponten has invited me into partnership with her to learn the operations of Mephibosheth Ministry and ultimately transition to the role of director. This is what I want to do. The direction of the overall vision of Mephibosheth, to present God’s Word and his love to people who face physical or mental challenges around the world, is becoming clearer as Mary Jane and I continue to talk. The future is bright for this ministry, and I’m excited to see where God will lead us.
History
I have known Mary Jane Ponten since the late 1970s. During the first ten years or so, I rarely saw her, but eventually we were meeting at least once a year at the Cerebral Palsy annual dinner. In 1992, Mary Jane and her friend John Nix started Mephibosheth Ministry, and I was happy for them. I was somewhat curious too, I guess, but thought little of it as I was just beginning my journey into adulthood.
In 1998, when I received my call to full time ministry with a focus on people with disabilities, one of the first persons I told was Mary Jane. I knew she had her ministry and was hopeful she would be willing to guide me as I looked for my niche. My background is writing, and I wanted to combine my writing skills and my experience of having a disability with my passion for Jesus Christ.
Mary Jane did summersaults when I told her I had given my life over to Christ, and I suspect that she started praying that day for a partnership between her and me. Even my mom realized from day one that I might have a place in the Mephibosheth family when she wondered out loud what the ministry’s future held.
During a friendly lunch one day, Mary Jane asked me if I would be interested in coming aboard as an associate of the ministry. The way she put it, I’d be like an independent contractor. I would have to raise my own funds and run my own projects, but I would have the backing of the ministry. Needless to say, I was listening!
Mary Jane officially invited me to join her ministry on May 2, 2003. During the last three years, I have faithfully represented the ministry as I continue to follow my calling. This has included participating in church and spiritual activities; being on the leadership team for Young Life’s Partners program (a club for teenagers with disabilities), continuing to grow my writing ministry by participating in online chats, attending conferences, and pursuing publishing opportunities, both traditional and self-publishing. I am also committed to improving my physical abilities by going to physical, occupational, and speech therapies.
Some concrete examples of my reaching out in ministry have included:
• Establishing a website, www.taitberge.com.
• Self-publishing a devotional book called Capernaum Moments.
• Writing for publications including the Quiet Hour and The Upper Room.
• Pubic speaking to church groups and businesses on raising awareness about people with disabilities.
• Mentoring young adults with disabilities.
• Becoming a board member of the Cerebral Palsy Association.
• Fundraising.
In April 2004, I had the opportunity to attend the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities conference in Indianapolis, accompanied by my aide from the Independence Center. The experience taught me about fundraising, travel planning, getting around in a strange city without direct support, not to mention meeting people and learning at the conference itself.
During the conference, I had the opportunity to work with Mary Jane at our booth and worked alone for a few hours. What I remember most, however, is watching Mary Jane interact with people who stopped by the booth. Many were her friends, and I was blessed when she introduced me as the one God has chosen to lead the ministry some day. I felt like the young David who knew his destiny way before it ever happened. When I’ve had doubts about this partnership, I have come back to this scene in Indianapolis.
Moving Forward
With a complete trust that Jesus Christ will continue to do good works though Mephibosheth and me, I now want to turn to the future. I realize that God is always in charge and He always has the last word. I do believe, however, that I must prayerfully make plans for ministry and myself. With this in mind, I propose:
I. Affiliation with Mephibosheth
• Continue my education through Biblical studies and keep up to date with issues in the disability community.
• Learn the business aspect of this ministry.
• Continue to build up relationships and network with other leaders in disabled ministry. This includes seeking to become a Ministry Associate of Joni and Friends and attending the Christian Council on Persons with Disabilities conference in November 2006.
• Participate in an overseas mission trip.
II. Personal Goals for Ministry
My relationship with Jesus is the number one priority in my life. He made me, gave me dreams, and I must follow Him faithfully. I’m blessed to be able to come aside Mary Jane and have the support of Mephibosheth Ministry. At the same time, I still have a vision given by God. I’m excited to work with Him as He works out His plan through my life. I love Him more everyday and just want to complete the work He gave me to do. With that said, I present my vision for my life and ministry in the following ways:
• To continue my walk with Jesus through worship, prayer, study, small groups, and retreats.
• Maintain and improve my physical abilities through therapy and exercise.
• Continue to write and publish. This includes writing my book, Seeing Through Jesus’ Eyes, a Bible study designed to help the everyday Christians relate to people with disabilities.
• To meet and mentor people with disabilities.
• Develop a disabled ministry using postmodern principles as outlined by N,T. Wright, Brian McLaren, and the emergent community (www.emergentvillage.com).
I continue to pray that my goals are in line with the vision of Mephiboseth Ministry. I believe they are, and that excites me. May God use my partnership with Mephibosheth Ministry to accomplish great things for His Kingdom.
Tait Berge
Monday, June 05, 2006
test
This is to test my blog.
