23 Apr 2026, 11:16Careen LawrenceLuton, Luton, England, United Kingdom
Valued in His Image: Embracing Disability with Faith and Passion
Luton Central SDA Hosts Possibilities Ministries Day Focused on Inclusion
On Sabbath, 18 April 2026, Luton Central Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church was joined by Anastasia Ross, Women’s & Possibilities Ministries Director, Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo, Personal Ministries Director, and Nana-Osei B. Boakye-Dankwa for their Possibilities Ministries Day.
Sabbath School was taken by Pastor Kwarteng-Ampofo, beginning with Isaiah 14:12–15. Having looked through the lesson, we came to the understanding that we are to be humble servants. The lesson was then followed by the church’s introduction to One Voice 27. He explained that the church will be united in “an unprecedented way, with one voice, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, tribe, language, and people”.
Though being united, we will all work together in a coordinated effort which presents Jesus as the common Saviour. There are four key pillars within One Voice 27, which are as follows:
• Communion with God: calling people into a saving relationship and daily walk with Jesus
• Identity in Christ: affirming Jesus as the Messiah, our Saviour, so all can find their true identity
• Unity through the Holy Spirit
• Mission for all
The local church needs to make plans and strategise so that when September 2027 arrives, we as the world church will proclaim that Christ is Lord. What plan is the church putting in place for the community to be with us, understanding our stance, no longer being upset, but loving us?
What is our global strategy to proclaim Christ? What programmes will we have? We will need to adapt our programmes and strategies in order for our reach to be extended. The church will receive videos weekly to support training and preparing the church body in evangelism. The church was encouraged to partner with local media for coverage, further reach, and the sharing of the message.
God has a mission for everyone in the church. Each individual ought to be used. As a community, we need to get to know the people around us and present programmes that they can access and would want to be associated with. When we do this, God will then use them to finish His work.
During divine worship, the children’s story was given by Brother Ricky Yong, under the title Bob and the Missing Piece. The overall message from the story was that happiness cannot be found in things; instead, it is found through Jesus Christ. Brother Yong shared that Bob tried to find happiness through building a house, buying a plane, and venturing into space, but it was not until he met Jesus through visiting a church that he understood that love and lasting happiness come through Christ.
The sermon was given by Nana-Osei B. Boakye-Dankwa, who was introduced by Pastor Kwarteng-Ampofo. Nana, though he has cerebral palsy, at the age of 12 is allowing God to use him to be the voice of the fatherless and those who are disabled.
The scripture reading was found in Mark 10:46–47. The sermon title was Valued in His Image: Embracing Disability with Faith and Passion. Nana reminded us that every individual is valued by God, no matter their ability or disability. Additionally, we were reminded that Jesus embarked on His mission empowered by the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
Nana encouraged the church to embrace accessibility and provide access to church facilities, such as transport, so that those with disabilities are not left out. He also shared that individuals can extend a hand of fellowship by visiting and supporting them, showing love as the church works to become more inclusive.
Some practical ways the church can support those who are disabled include:
BSL interpreters
Wheelchair access
Technology integration
Partnering with the disabled community
Large print materials
Coloured overlays for the visually impaired
The church was reminded that we can advocate for accessibility and inclusion, following Christ’s example in Scripture. Nana highlighted that we often place people in boxes and label them as strange because we do not understand them. He also noted that it is not the sin of our parents that causes the pain we may face, but that God’s work can be revealed through us. “We are called to reflect God’s love and compassion.”
In the afternoon, Sister Anastasia Ross led a workshop on Possibilities Ministries. She shared that there is no reason why anyone should feel unable to take part. Participants were encouraged to think about the different areas within Possibilities Ministries, including hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, deafness, visual impairment or blindness, and mental health.
The aim of Possibilities Ministries is to build inclusive ministries. We need to advocate for our disabled members and for ourselves. Anastasia shared some recently recognised conditions, including menopause and endometriosis. She also spoke about hidden disabilities such as fibromyalgia, dyspraxia, and asthma, as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Individuals were also provided with information about support, including:
EHCP (in education)
Access to Work (adults)
BSL interpreters
PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
The afternoon concluded with Sister Careen sharing a presentation that encouraged members to consider how the church can support its local Possibilities leader in becoming more accessible. The day was a blessing to all who attended, and the Possibilities Ministries leader at Luton Central has been equipped with ideas to develop in collaboration with other departments. It is encouraging to see churches moving forward and becoming more accessible for those within the church and those in the wider community.
On Sabbath, 18 April 2026, Luton Central Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church was joined by Anastasia Ross, Women’s & Possibilities Ministries Director, Pastor Kwadwo Kwarteng-Ampofo, Personal Ministries Director, and Nana-Osei B. Boakye-Dankwa for their Possibilities Ministries Day.
Sabbath School was taken by Pastor Kwarteng-Ampofo, beginning with Isaiah 14:12–15. Having looked through the lesson, we came to the understanding that we are to be humble servants. The lesson was then followed by the church’s introduction to One Voice 27. He explained that the church will be united in “an unprecedented way, with one voice, to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ to every nation, tribe, language, and people”.
Though being united, we will all work together in a coordinated effort which presents Jesus as the common Saviour. There are four key pillars within One Voice 27, which are as follows:
• Communion with God: calling people into a saving relationship and daily walk with Jesus
• Identity in Christ: affirming Jesus as the Messiah, our Saviour, so all can find their true identity
• Unity through the Holy Spirit
• Mission for all
The local church needs to make plans and strategise so that when September 2027 arrives, we as the world church will proclaim that Christ is Lord. What plan is the church putting in place for the community to be with us, understanding our stance, no longer being upset, but loving us?
What is our global strategy to proclaim Christ? What programmes will we have? We will need to adapt our programmes and strategies in order for our reach to be extended. The church will receive videos weekly to support training and preparing the church body in evangelism. The church was encouraged to partner with local media for coverage, further reach, and the sharing of the message.
God has a mission for everyone in the church. Each individual ought to be used. As a community, we need to get to know the people around us and present programmes that they can access and would want to be associated with. When we do this, God will then use them to finish His work.
During divine worship, the children’s story was given by Brother Ricky Yong, under the title Bob and the Missing Piece. The overall message from the story was that happiness cannot be found in things; instead, it is found through Jesus Christ. Brother Yong shared that Bob tried to find happiness through building a house, buying a plane, and venturing into space, but it was not until he met Jesus through visiting a church that he understood that love and lasting happiness come through Christ.
The sermon was given by Nana-Osei B. Boakye-Dankwa, who was introduced by Pastor Kwarteng-Ampofo. Nana, though he has cerebral palsy, at the age of 12 is allowing God to use him to be the voice of the fatherless and those who are disabled.
The scripture reading was found in Mark 10:46–47. The sermon title was Valued in His Image: Embracing Disability with Faith and Passion. Nana reminded us that every individual is valued by God, no matter their ability or disability. Additionally, we were reminded that Jesus embarked on His mission empowered by the Holy Spirit at His baptism.
Nana encouraged the church to embrace accessibility and provide access to church facilities, such as transport, so that those with disabilities are not left out. He also shared that individuals can extend a hand of fellowship by visiting and supporting them, showing love as the church works to become more inclusive.
Some practical ways the church can support those who are disabled include:
BSL interpreters
Wheelchair access
Technology integration
Partnering with the disabled community
Large print materials
Coloured overlays for the visually impaired
The church was reminded that we can advocate for accessibility and inclusion, following Christ’s example in Scripture. Nana highlighted that we often place people in boxes and label them as strange because we do not understand them. He also noted that it is not the sin of our parents that causes the pain we may face, but that God’s work can be revealed through us. “We are called to reflect God’s love and compassion.”
In the afternoon, Sister Anastasia Ross led a workshop on Possibilities Ministries. She shared that there is no reason why anyone should feel unable to take part. Participants were encouraged to think about the different areas within Possibilities Ministries, including hidden disabilities, neurodiversity, deafness, visual impairment or blindness, and mental health.
The aim of Possibilities Ministries is to build inclusive ministries. We need to advocate for our disabled members and for ourselves. Anastasia shared some recently recognised conditions, including menopause and endometriosis. She also spoke about hidden disabilities such as fibromyalgia, dyspraxia, and asthma, as well as mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia.
Individuals were also provided with information about support, including:
EHCP (in education)
Access to Work (adults)
BSL interpreters
PIP (Personal Independence Payment)
The afternoon concluded with Sister Careen sharing a presentation that encouraged members to consider how the church can support its local Possibilities leader in becoming more accessible. The day was a blessing to all who attended, and the Possibilities Ministries leader at Luton Central has been equipped with ideas to develop in collaboration with other departments. It is encouraging to see churches moving forward and becoming more accessible for those within the church and those in the wider community.
