Shawn Thornton’s “All But Normal” Childhood and Path to Ministry (Part 1)

Shawn Thornton, our Joni and Friends President and Chief Ministry Officer returns to the podcast to share his experience and insight on disability ministry in the church. Raised with disability in his immediate family, Shawn has a unique perspective on how the church should care for people who live with disability. Hear how God has used his personal experience to grow him as a pastor and prepare him to reach the global church through his role with Joni and Friends.Listen to part 1 of Shawn’s conversation with Stephanie DanielsGet your copy of Shawn’s book, All But Normal: Life on Victory RoadPrior to leading Joni and Friends, Shawn served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California, where he helped launch a dynamic disability ministry that has become a model for churches nationwide. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Awana Clubs International and on the Board of Trustees of Los Robles Hospital in Thousand Oaks, California.Shawn and his wife, Lesli, live in Southern California and have three grown children, Jon, Katie, and Megan (who is married to Wes). KEY QUESTIONS:How can you encourage your church’s culture to welcome people with disabilities?How can a struggle you experience equip you to encourage someone else? KEY SCRIPTURES:Psalm 34:8-9: “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him. Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing.”2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Shawn Thornton is the President and Chief Ministry Officer of Joni and Friends, an international non-profit organization founded by Joni Eareckson Tada that offers hands-on help and Gospel hope to people living with disabilities. With decades of pastoral experience, Shawn most recently served as Senior Pastor of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California where he supported the development of a disability ministry program that provides an example for churches across the country. He and his wife, Lesli, have three adult children—Jon, Katie, and Megan.Get your copy of All But Normal: Life on Victory RoadGrowing up, Shawn Thornton’s life was anything but normal―but then, so was his mother. After waking from a coma following a car crash, Beverly Thornton’s once sweet and gentle disposition had been replaced by violent mood swings, profanity-laced tirades, and uncontrollable fits of rage. Inside the Thornton house, floors and countertops were piled high with dirty laundry and garbage because Bev was unable to move well enough to clean. Dinners were a Russian roulette of half-cooked meat, spoiled milk, and foods well past their expiration dates. A moment of frustration might prompt her to hurl a knife at Shawn, his brother, Troy, or their dad or to vehemently cuss them out, only to shower them with love and affection moments later as though nothing had happened. And God help the family cat!On several occasions, Bev even tried to jump out of the car on the highway while Shawn and his brother struggled to keep her inside. Yet this same woman was also a devoted Bible reader, Sunday school teacher, and friend to the elderly, poor, and marginalized wherever she went. How the same woman could be a saint one minute and a nightmare the next was a constant source of frustration for the family. Then one day, after decades of embarrassing outbursts, a surprise discovery finally helps the Thornton family come to grips with Bev’s mysterious condition and brings Shawn to a startling realization that changes the course of his life forever.A heartwarming coming-of-age story, All But Normal is a powerful reminder that sometimes the “broken” people in our lives are the ones who need fixing the least.KEY QUESTIONS:How has God used hardship in your life to make you more like Jesus?What difficulty in your life might equip you to encourage others in Christ?Do you have confidence that God is always with you? Ask God to reveal his presence to you as you draw near to him. KEY SCRIPTURE:Psalm 136:1–4: “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever.Give thanks to the Lord of lords: His love endures forever.To Him who alone does great wonders, His love endures forever.”  You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Vaneetha Risner is no stranger to suffering. Having lived through polio, the loss of a child, and multiple miscarriages, she has wrestled with God and learned to trust in his goodness. Vaneetha joins Stephanie Daniels to share about her journey and how she has continued to hope in God through the darkness of deep pain. Their encouraging conversation will remind you that God sees you and reassure you that you never have to suffer alone.Get your copy of Vaneetha’s devotional, Watching for the MorningFind out more about Vaneetha and connect with her at: www.vaneetha.comLearn more of Vaneetha’s story on previous podcast episodes: Desperate for Hope: Questions We Ask God in Suffering and Finding Freedom Through Forgiveness KEY QUESTIONS:How have you seen God work through the hardships in your life?What struggle do you need to bring before God today, trusting him to meet and sustain you?KEY SCRIPTURES:Psalm 34:3–5: “Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.”Psalm 30:5: “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Kay Warren, known for cofounding Saddleback Church with her husband, Pastor Rick Warren, joins Stephanie Daniels to discuss a deeply personal topic. Kay is the mother of three adult children, including Matthew who lost his life to suicide at age 27 after years of chronic depression. Having walked beside her son through his suffering, and survived the anguish of his death, Kay has experienced firsthand the need for the church, and all believers, to extend compassionate support to people facing mental health struggles. Tune in for this critical call for the body of Christ to support people who battle with depression, suicidal ideation, and despair—providing the love and hope of Jesus in moments of deepest darkness.Help is here! If you or a loved one is struggling with depression, suicidal ideation, or other mental health challenges, you are not alone…Explore resources mentioned in this episode, and encouragement from Joni Eareckson Tada who has herself wrestled with deep depression.Get your copy of Kay Warren’s book, Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t EnoughHear Joni Eareckson Tada’s shares heart on how to battle depressionGet your copy of Joni’s booklet, Navigating Depression: Hope for Heavy HeartsLearn more about Kay and her ministry at www.kaywarren.comFor Christ-centered encouragement, practical tools, and comprehensive resources for families and churches around mental health visit https://www.hopeforbrightertomorrows.orgFind additional resources and support through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) | Mental Health Support, Education & AdvocacyKEY QUESTIONS:Who in your world needs to hear that they are not alone? Go tell them—be there to listen and pray.How can you find joy today even if you feel trapped in a season of hardship?KEY SCRIPTURE:Lamentations 3:19-25 (NLT): “The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Army Chaplain and special needs dad Matt McCraney joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about how the body of Christ can better embrace people living with disabilities. Bringing personal, biblical, and academic perspectives, Matt identifies barriers that keep disabled people from finding their places of belonging in the church and he offers practical ways Christians can better demonstrate the love of Jesus to those living with disability. Matt McCraney has served as an Army Chaplain for 17 years and is a devoted father to a child with autism. He holds a PhD from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Married to his wife Sarah for 20 years, Matt is the proud father of four children and the owner of a beloved dog named Appa.As Matt says: “Sundays are incredibly difficult for families with a disabled child, often because of the attitudes and assumptions of members. To welcome these families, we need to reexamine how we understand disability and bring our thinking in line with the Bible on this critical issue.”Read Matt’s articles:“I Hate Sundays”: Why Disabled Families Are Absent from Church and What We Can Do to Start Welcoming them BackMore than Bodies: Examining our Assumptions about DisabilityFaith on the Spectrum: Reimagining Discipleship Expectations for Children with AutismKEY QUESTIONS:Who can you encourage this week by simply reaching out to connect?What assumptions do you make about people with disabilities in your midst—are there mindsets that need to shift to align with God’s love for all people, regardless of disability?KEY SCRIPTURES:Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”John 9:3: “‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”  You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Lars Nelson, a member of New York City Ballet’s corps de ballet, joins Stephanie Daniels to share about his faith journey, career, and passion to see people with disabilities served and included by the church. Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, he began dance training at the age of 11, studied at the School of American Ballet, then joined the Company as a member of the corps de ballet in 2011. He is husband to Tanya and also brother to Eric, who lives with cerebral palsy.Learn more about Lars Nelson and hear why he names Joni Eareckson Tada as his hero!Find out more about our Wheels for the World® program, which hand-delivers wheelchairs and Bibles to people with disabilities in developing countries, all in the name of Jesus.Learn more about our Family Retreats. Discover our free resources to help your church fully embrace people living with disability.KEY QUESTIONS:Does your church, neighborhood, and community embrace people living with disabilities?How can you welcome people with disabilities into your personal circles?Who are your faith heroes?KEY SCRIPTURES:2 Corinthians 5:20: “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.”Colossians 3:23–24: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Author, speaker, and special needs mom Jess Ronne joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about her family’s story of beauty emerging from the ashes. She also offer insight into tangible ways to support families facing difficult seasons. Jess is the founder of The Lucas Project, named after her son with profound disabilities, which provides recognition and respite for parent caregivers. She and her husband Ryan, both of whom lost spouses to cancer before blending their families, have eight children, an encouraging story of finding hope through hardship, and a heart to serve others coping with deep and complex suffering.Learn more about The Lucas Project, which provides resources, respite, and recognition for parent caregivers of children with disabilities.Explore Jess’s books:Caregiving with Grit and Grace: For caregivers, this book offers solace for your journey and extends a heartfelt invitation to view your role through the lens of eternity.Sunlight Burning at Midnight: Jess’s memoir offers an inspiring and encouraging story of faith forged through deep suffering, hardship, and unexpected joy.KEY QUESTIONS:Who in your circles needs tangible help today? Perhaps a meal (ask them if they want pasta or tacos…and drop it off on their porch).Are you willing to ask for help (if not, talk to God about changing your heart)?Do you trust God to work in the midst of your deepest challenges?KEY SCRIPTURES:Luke 22:42: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Romans 11:36: “For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Meet special needs parents, business partners, and Christ-loving power couple Clifton (Cliff) and Lorraine Marshall. In an inspiring conversation with Stephanie Daniels, Cliff and Lorraine share about meeting on a blind date, forming a blended family, raising a child with a disability, and growing in faith—and love for one another—through life’s seasons and challenges. Tune in to be encouraged in your career, family life, and daily struggles and be equipped with Scriptures to bring you fresh hope and joy.Families navigating disability often name respite care as their top unmet need. If someone you know needs encouragement, respite, and an experience of true belonging in the body of Christ, invite them to check out our Joni and Friends Retreats & Getaways!For spouses living with disability in the family, like Cliff and Lorraine, Joni and Friends Marriage Getaway offers rich community with other couples who understand the unique challenges of disability. Learn more about this unique opportunity for encouragement through biblical teaching, worship, dinners, activities, and optional marriage coaching. KEY QUESTIONS:How can you exercise generosity today?Where can you embrace the call of Jesus to servant leadership? RESOURCES:Tune in to our Season 6 episode with author Randy Alcorn on “Why Giving Is the Good Life”Explore opportunities to support the kingdom work of Joni and Friends KEY SCRIPTURES:2 Corinthians 12:9: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”Matthew 20:26–28: “… whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Larah Roberts, a dedicated mom, wife, and Christ-centered disability advocate, joins Stephanie Daniels to talk about raising children with autism as thriving followers of Jesus. Larah shares from her own family’s experience and her wisdom as the founder of the organization Raising Autistic Disciples. Don’t miss Larah’s heartfelt encouragement for individuals, churches, and communities to fully include, support, and disciple families navigating life with disability.Explore free Joni and Friends resources that will empower you and your church love and serve individuals and families living with disability.Learn more about Larah Roberts and Raising Autistic DisciplesGet your copy of Larah’s book, How to Advocate & Stay Christian: For Parents of Special KidsKEY QUESTIONS:How can you take comfort today in God’s ever-present, changeless love?What spiritual rhythms help you draw near to God and cherish his Word?Who can you reach today with a word of encouragement or gesture of inclusion?KEY SCRIPTURES:Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”Deuteronomy 6:6–7: “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.

Discover more about Joni’s heart on the ADA: Did The Americans With Disabilities Act Really Guarantee Change? | Joni and FriendsAt a celebratory reception after the signing of the ADA, Joni recalls hearing these words spoken by colleague Paul Hearne: “[The ADA] will provide greater access to public accommodation. Wheelchair users will no longer have to be carried up the steps of a restaurant. And one day buses across America will be outfitted with mechanical lifts. There’ll be no barriers to public transportation…. But the ADA will not change the heart of the employer. The law will not change the heart of the maître de in the restaurant.” Key Questions: How can you create spaces that are accessible and inclusive for people with disability? How is Jesus calling you to love and advocate for people living with disability? Key Scriptures:1 Samuel 16:7: “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”Luke 14:21, 23 (NIV): “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.… Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.” You make this podcast possible! Thank you for your support.Find all podcast resources and message our team. Follow Joni and Friends on  Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok. Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. Founded by Joni Eareckson Tada, we provide Christ-centered care through Joni's House, Wheels for the World, Retreats and Getaways, and disability ministry training. Find more encouragement on Joni Eareckson Tada's Sharing Hope podcast and her daily devotional.