Joni and Friends News From Ambassador

Three Decades

2012-05-14T00:00:00-06:00

The years of my mortgage.

The age I thought sounded "old" . . . until I hit my mid -forties.

And from the mundane to the significant . . . the years "Joni and Friends" radio has been ministering to listeners.

This month marks 30 years since the radio outreach of "Joni and Friends" was birthed. And, through those over 7000 broadcasts, countless lives have been encouraged by Joni's life testimony. In the daily program, Joni has shared from her life experience about how God equips us to share His love and encouragement with others.

"I thank my Savior for the energy, breath, and the insights from His Word - and I'm looking forward to sharing more with our listeners in the months and years to come," says Joni.

Today, "Joni and Friends" is heard on over 1100 outlets nationwide and the ministry's 1:00 vignette, "Diamonds in the Dust" airs on over 700. Yes, the numbers are significant but more than the numbers are the lives impacted by Joni's testimony:

"Hearing your words of hope and comfort, singing, poetry and sometimes funny stories you share that make me laugh even during a hard day . . . Sharing is one of the main things the Lord has commanded us to do! His love, peace, joy and especially His words! Those 30 years of people hearing your voice doing that everyday makes my heart leap! And encourages me to use my own voice. Thank you again, Joni and thank you to everyone who also makes these radio programs possible!"
-- Rachel

Rejoicing with the many for Joni's commitment to Kingdom service through the radio outreach of "Joni and Friends!"

Lee Ann Jackson

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P.S. We invite you to take :30 seconds (or 3:00 or 30:00!) to congratulate Joni and the ministry team on this milestone by commenting below!

Be Prepared To Give An Answer

2012-04-09T00:00:00-06:00

As an older Christian (having placed my faith in Christ as a teenager), I'd like to think I'm prepared to share about my beliefs. The reality is we need to be diligent in that commitment.

Joni Eareckson Tada just returned from the Wilberforce Weekend in Washington DC where she was recognized by The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview with the 2012 William Wilberforce Award honoring her work on behalf of the disabled and her stands against social injustice.

"The Colson Center helps Christians develop an informed worldview that sees, understands and engages the world from a biblical perspective," Alan Terwilleger, Colson Center President. "By recognizing Tada for her campaigns to raise disability awareness, public policy advocacy and efforts to spread the gospel across the globe, we hope to shine a light on her esteemed work that promotes the sanctity of all lives."

Named for famed British abolitionist William Wilberforce, the Colson Center's Wilberforce Award is given annually to a Christian trailblazer who has combated the social ills of the day through extraordinary personal effort, skill and influence, affecting positive change in the values and character of society.

As Joni returned to the office, the first thing she did was show Doug Mazza, president of Joni and Friends, the actual Wilberforce Award which she received -- she notes that she did so in the spirit of 1 Peter 3:15-16, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." As Joni reflects, ". . . that should be us Christians, whether it's talking about religious liberties, life and marriage, or winning people to Christ!"

We join with the many giving thanks for Joni's service to the Kingdom and for the reminder that we all need to be "ready" to carry out 1 Peter 3:15-16!

Lee Ann Jackson

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P.S. We invite you to watch this video tribute to Joni and then, maybe take a moment to congratulate her on being the 2012 recipient of the Wilberforce Award!

An NRB Highlight

2012-03-12T00:00:00-06:00

NRB 2012 had many highlights for me . . . among them was joining with the Christian radio community in honoring Joni Eareckson Tada as she was inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame.

"I know of no better testimony of how Christ's strength is made perfect through weakness than the life of Joni Eareckson Tada," said NRB President & CEO Dr. Frank Wright. "Joni has stared suffering in the face and seen the face of Christ. It is our honor and privilege to induct her into NRB's Hall of Fame."

It was 1979 when Joni and Friends was launched -- a ministry to help families like hers, as well as equip churches to embrace disabled people. Joni became passionate about helping other people with disabilities, and their families, grasp what the Bible has to say about suffering and the sovereignty of God.

Three years later, at the nudging of Al Sanders and Jon Campbell, Joni began recording "Joni and Friends," her daily four-minute feature which provides inspiration and encouragement to hurting people. In 2007, she began recording her one-minute daily radio feature "Diamonds in the Dust."

Leading the outreach to the disability community and training on Christian ministry to the disabled, Joni and Friends radio has quickly grown in popularity around the US as it ministers to those impacted by disabilities-both physical and spiritual.

It's no surprise that Joni credits Jesus, whom she calls her "best friend," for being honored with NRB's award.

"I'd like to think it's because I love Jesus. He's my best friend, He's the reason I get up in the morning, He's the reason I get energized for the day." Joni said of the NRB honor.

Is it any wonder that honoring this servant of Christ was a NRB highlight for me . . . and so many others?

Lee Ann Jackson

Ambassador Advertising.

We Connect. Ministry and Media.

P.S. If you've not done so already, we invite to take a moment and congratulate Joni below on being inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame!

Joni and Friends— Hymn Sing at NRB!

2012-02-09T00:00:00-06:00

NRB is next week (wait, what??) and with the hustle and bustle of reuniting with old friends and new, we're excited to see you Monday Feb. 20^th at 5pm for the Joni and Friends Hymn Sing!

Better start warming up your voice now and practicing your favorite Hymns as this year's gathering is sure to be the biggest and best yet. Just head over to Ambassador's Hospitality Suite (Presidential Boardroom A), follow the sweet sound of the Lord's music, pull up a chair and join in!

Additionally, this NRB is particularly special for the ministry as during the Tuesday night Closing Banquet, Joni will be inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame! We are truly thrilled for Joni to receive such an acknowledgement from the broadcasting family.

We look forward to seeing you at NRB and hope to sing God's praises with you on Monday evening!

Anna Sinclair

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PS - To see the entire NRB schedule for Ambassador, including information on the Joni and Friends Hymn Sing and Hall of Fame details, please visit our website!

Joni and Friends— Whirlwind into 2012!

2012-01-17T00:00:00-06:00

Welcome to 2012! And what a better way to ring in the New Year than with good news. Joni received the fantastic news of a clear PET scan and we are thanking and praising the Lord for her positive progression in her health journey.

Keeping that joyous feeling alive, take a look at Joni taking a ride on the wild side while at Disney's California Adventure park with Ken and her sister Kathy. Talk about a whirlwind!

Can you believe that NRB is next month? Make sure that you schedule in the Joni and Friends Hymn Sing Monday Feb. 20^th at 5pm. You won't want to miss this time with Joni as we gather to sing God's praises. Each year, the choir gets bigger and bigger... maybe this year the songs of the Lord will spill even further out into the convention center and hotel for all to hear!

Additionally, on the Tuesday evening of NRB Joni will be inducted into the NRB Hall of Fame. We're thrilled for the recognition by fellow broadcasters--quite an honor!

And, just before NRB, Joni will be speaking at the Renew Conference in Nashville TN. The conference will be a great forum for the discussion of suffering, affliction and the Gospel of Jesus, which are issues very near and dear to Joni's heart.

Again, we hope to see you at NRB 2012 and are so exited to see what the Lord has in store for this New Year!

Anna Sinclair

Ambassador Advertising

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PS - Pray for the Joni and Friends Wheels for the World traveling team as they head to Thailand this week. Thailand is a predominantly Buddhist nation that includes more than 6 million people with disabilities.