Beyond Suffering Conference 2025
Today marked the successful conclusion of a two-day gathering known as the Beyond Suffering Conference. This impactful event served as both a training and sensitization platform focused on disability awareness within the church and broader community. The conference aimed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of disability, promote inclusive ministry and foster a more compassionate and accessible church environment.
The Beyond Suffering Conference is part of a global initiative by Joni & Friends, an international Christian organization based in the United States. It was founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, who became a quadriplegic at the age of 17 following a diving accident. Since then, she has become a globally recognized advocate for people living with disabilities, using her story to inspire hope and drive change.The conference brought together over 200 participants from across the five regions of the PCEA Church, as well as 10 delegates from the Baptist Church who attended with the intention of launching a disability ministry within their own congregation.
Training sessions covered a wide range of important topics, including:
• Understanding Disability
• The Sovereignty of God
• Hopeful Healing
• Autism
• Various Forms of Disability
• Starting a Disability Ministry in the Church
• Advocacy and Evangelism among Persons with Disabilities
Organized through the PCEA Nendeni Board – Disability Sub-Committee, this conference is part of a larger effort to create awareness and build a church culture where all barriers whether physical or emotional are removed. These barriers may include architectural challenges like lack of wheelchair ramps, or societal attitudes such as rejection, misconceptions or stigma.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Ashley Mugisha, Africa Director of Joni & Friends, with strong support from a trained team of PCEA ministers who are now certified instructors in disability ministry. Three additional ministers and one evangelist are currently undergoing instructor certification. This year’s cohort of participants demonstrated an increased enthusiasm and deep interest in disability ministry.
The Disability Sub-Committee also runs several ongoing initiatives, including the distribution of wheelchairs and mobility aids, with the next scheduled distribution event set for Tumutumu from 13th to 17th October 2025. In addition, the committee organizes family retreats to support and encourage families of persons with disabilities. The next retreat will be held at Chogoria from 20th to 23rd November 2025.