Blog 73 - My Church Administers to the Physically Challenged

Blog 73

My Church Administers to the

Physically Challenged

By

Vernon M. Herron

The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC in its diversity of ministries constantly administers to the physically challenged. This mega church has more than 7,000 members of which approximately 25% are senior citizens, including the handicap, with its own focused minister, under the leadership of a senior pastor.

Facility, worship and program wise, The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church is handicapped equipped. It should be noted that the ministry to the physically challenged is an integral part of the Senior Ministry yet addressing the needs of the handicaps has its own priority. In senior church ministry, the handicapped is encouraged to participate in the normal Senior Bible study, Care Team Ministry, Resource Fair, Monthly Health Emphasis, Valentine Fellowship/Fashion Show, Movie Day, Annual Picnic, Pre-Thanksgiving Service and Fellowship and Pre-Christmas Service and Fellowship. But the church also provides the following for the physically challenged, special handicap parking with ramps and automatic door openings, a handicapped auto entrance, wheel chair equipment, elevators and personal attendants, a Deaf Ministry with sign language classes and  services interpreted for the impaired hearing, a doctor, a nurse and security on duties at all times.

Donald Jones is one of the many physically challenged members of FMBC who writes on his experience, faith and resolve. He is a 67 year old Christian believer, born in rural Virginia, a graduate of Virginia State University, a Captain in U. S. Army, married to Diana P. Jones, experienced as a Civil Engineer, seven years membership in FMBC. and life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Here is Brother Jones’s testimony entitled:

Christian Faith Tested & Accepted

By

Donald Jones

When asked by Dr. Herron, to write an article on the difficulties I faced as a handicapped person coming to church, I reflected on my first conversation with him. I’d seen him walking, leaning into his walker, in front of the church toward his parked car. I often admired him for his tenacity. His first question was about my red scooter. I gave some of the features, and from there a friendship has occurred. In preparation for this article, a visual assessment was made.

The gamut of disable persons at 9:30 a.m. service, runs from those with a walking cane, to those with motorized wheelchairs and scooters. Each disabled person faces his/her own specific set of obstacles we encounter as we attend services. I am a Vietnam combat veteran. Until 2007, I was able to work with constant back pain, then in October, 2007 I became paralyzed from mid cheat down. Since then, after two spinal surgeries and a total knee replacement, I am able to drive and get about on my own with the help of my scooter. I have gone from using a manual wheelchair (pushed by my wife and others) to using hand crutches and the scooter. To God, be the glory. Each change has mirrored a change in my physical condition.

  There are six steps I encounter in attending service each Sunday: Each step has its own pros and cons.

 

Arrival:

We utilize the handicapped parking on the North side of the building (McAllister Dr.).There is a group of about eight vehicles queuing for the parking spaces. Usually the first in line arrives about 8:25 a.m. Those in line appear to be pre 70’s and 70’s to octogenarians. These people have ambulatory abnormalities, breathing problems requiring octagon tank, etc.

Parking:

As a space opens up from patrons exiting from the 7:30 a.m. service, those in line fill those spaces. Courtesy has always been shown.

 

Offloading the scooter:

Offloading takes several minutes. Maneuver from the driver’s seat to the lift is difficult on wobbly leg. Getting the basket (with my Bible) from the back seat along with my crutches is challenging. Lowering the lift and offloading the scooter must be done quickly in order to not block the walkway.

Entering the vestibule:

I am greeted with many warm and friendly smiles.

Elevator ride to the balcony:

The elevator does not allow turn around, therefore, only pull-in and back-out.

 

 

The walk to my seat:

My scooter is parked outside the balcony and I use my forearm crutches to walk to my seat. I sit on the end of the pew in order to facilitate placement of my crutches and to aid in standing.

  

Taking my seat for worship.

 

Approaching the FMBC edifice, brother Jones shares with brother Herron , three pet peeves, which he encounters weekly.

1.     People who use handicapped placards because it was easily obtainable.

2.     People who want to park close to the entrance.

3.     People who try to bypass the queue line

I thank God for all that He has brought me through...