Empowering International Roofbreakers
International Missions Manager , Shaun Burrows , shares how we ’ re extending the Roofbreaker concept in developing countries .
Nehemiah , pastor of a small local church in rural Uganda , emails our office informing us of the needs in his community . He relates the plight of Jacob , a disabled man at his church , who desperately needs a wheelchair . He mentions how God has used Jacob ’ s need to highlight the desperation of other disabled people in his community , and to call him to those who don ’ t yet know Jesus . Nehemiah finishes by asking us to partner with him .
Pastor Nehemiah ’ s email is just one of several sent to us every week with a similar request .
Like Nehemiah , we want disabled people like Jacob to :
• experience the freedom that the gift of a wheelchair can bring
• come to know Jesus and be welcomed into Christian life
• grow with others in God ’ s family
• reflect God ’ s glory to those around him .
We want to see Jacob and Nehemiah disciple their community together , both rising above their own limitations – getting a wheelchair is just part of the freedom story .
We have a vision to empower local churches in developing countries so they can support disabled people in their communities . To do this , we invite them to become International Roofbreakers – disability champions who break down barriers to full inclusion in church and Christian life .
Local church leaders in Kerala , India , at the recent International Roofbreaker event .
In 2020 , during the pandemic , the International Roofbreaker project was launched . We started two networks of Christian leaders in East and West Africa who felt a similar call to Nehemiah to reach disabled people in their communities . This year , we ran our first International Roofbreaker mission trip – to Kerala , India – to lead International Roofbreaker events that support the community and build on the previous year ’ s wheelchair distribution .
When UK Roofbreaker volunteers share stories and experiences with their counterparts in developing countries , it creates an environment with a spirit of collaboration and co-operation . This environment is created by a body of believers who together are on a mission to transform lives with Jesus through disabled people .
“ The Roofbreaker event hit him like a sword ”
Our recent Roofbreaker trip to Kerala in India had a profound impact on the life on Saroop , who caught the vision for disability inclusion . Mission team leader , Janet , shares his story .
In 2015 while Saroop was a student he experienced an accident in which he was hit by a lorry and experienced a fractured skull . At this time Saroop says he was leading a worldly life , but he began to question , “ Why am I here , what should I do ?” He prayed and God heard his prayer . He was baptised and then went to Bible college . Saroop ’ s head injury has left him with several difficulties , but he knows that the Lord is with him .
Saroop said that what our team shared at the Roofbreaker event hit him like a sword because he had prayed for God to show him , then he got the vision . He says , “ I am a person with disabilities , so I want to minister amongst them , I
Saroop proclaimed : ' I want to dedicate my life and serve disabled people .' want to make others comfortable , I want to encourage them .”
We were told that very often in India , disabled people are separated from the rest of society , and sadly most churches do not include any disabled people at all .
Our six team members from the UK shared about the Biblical basis of valuing and including disabled people , and how this can be done in practice . The message was strengthened by the fact that the team included people who are disabled themselves . Many pastors pledged to change things their churches and reach out to disabled people .
Saroop proclaimed , “ I want to dedicate my life and serve disabled people . I have a heavy burden in my heart and I want to do something because of what I have heard from you today . May God ’ s name be glorified .”
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