Dr. Jessica Peck prescribes Hope for Healthy Families on American Family Radio

Hello and welcome to the Dr. Nurse Mama show prescribing Hope for Healthy Families here on American Family Radio. Here's your host, professor, pediatric nurse practitioner and mom of four, Dr. Jessica Peck.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, hey there, friends, and welcome to my favorite part of the afternoon, getting to spend time with you, prescribing Hope for Healthy Families. And listen, we've got a Massive dose of hope for you. Before I get to our guest, which I'm so excited about, I want to remind you about the ACTIVATE Summit that is happening in Mississippi this summer. So if you're looking for something to do with your family, consider going to the ACTIVATE Summit that's put on by American Family Association. That's going to be June 12th through the 14th in Tupelo, Mississippi. If you're thinking where in the world is Tupelo, Mississippi? Well, it is in fact the birthplace of Elvis Presley. So that may give you some insight into the charming little town that it is. It really is a great place to go with kids. There's a program for kids age 6 to 12. It's free for kids 5 and under. You can go and find out about [email protected] summit but we are talking today, our prescription for hope is to be a champion.

Doctor Nurse Mama is partnering with Nick Vujicic on human trafficking awareness

We are so excited here at the doctor Nurse Mama show to be partnering with Nick V. Ministries. That's Nick Vujicic. I had him on the show before. We talked about something that is near and dear both of our hearts. That is human trafficking. For my regular listeners, you know, that is my primary life as an academic, as a policy advocate, as a nurse is that's what I do, is I work with to influence and to help prevent kids from being trafficked. And Nick and I had a similar heartbeat in that way. And he was on to talk about that. But through that we discovered, I discovered that he has a whole series of champions and every month focuses on a different population. So January, Human Trafficking Awareness Month. And we are going to partner with his ministry to highlight each of these Champion groups every single month. And today we're talking about champion being champions for the disabled. And if you missed Nick's last show, you need to go and listen to it. He is followed by millions, has such an inspirational testimony. Was born without arms or legs and God saved his life. God has spared his life. And now he travels around the world. He is known by millions and millions and has just accomplished such great work for the kingdom of God. We will be at a summit. He is having a Summit in April, April 25th and 26th in Richardson, Texas, which is just outside of Dallas. It'll be Friday and Saturday. You really, really don't want to miss it. We'll post that information, that link to, to the summit on the show notes. But I am going to stop. I don't need to talk when we have Nick Vujicic right here live on the radio with us.

Nick, thank you so much for coming back. You got an excellent team, an incredible ministry

Nick, thank you so much for coming back.

>> Nick Vujicic: Jessica, I love you. I am so thrilled. I'm humbled. You got an excellent team, an incredible ministry, and I mean it. And we are honored to partner with you each month to reach out to community groups that are affected in different ways or, maybe have circumstances. Bleeding hearts. We're called by God to heal the brokenhearted. And, to be able to go through this incredible, total series of champions for the brokenhearted with you. I've been looking forward to this call. And hello to everyone listening.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Yes, I am so looking forward to that.

Nick has created Champions for the Brokenhearted, a Christian resource

Let's talk about Champions for the Brokenhearted and talk about the curriculum. Let's just give a little overview and talk about the incredible resources that you have on your web website. I'll give a shout out to that right now. You can go to championstraining.org that's champions training.org and so often we hear stories and we think, oh, that's. That's really sad. That's heartbreaking. I wish there was something I could do. This is something that almost everyone listening can do. So, Nick, I would love to hear just an overview of Champions for the brokenhearted.

>> Nick Vujicic: Yeah, really, really appreciate it. If you go to nickvministries.org you'll actually see, first and foremost, 12, to 14 of the highlighted topics, that really came from the Lord. through our incredible partnership with Hope for the Heart, with June Hunt, she had A list of 103 different ways in how the human being can suffer before she met me. I mean, she had this list in the 1980s and she's written 103 devotionals for each way in how a human being needs healing. And she's incredible. She's a legend. and I, had the privilege of meeting her. But before I met her, I also had 103 different ways in how the human being can suffer. And we merged ministry, initiatives on this level where first and foremost, we wanted to create, resources of encouragement. And so if you go to Champions for the brokenhearted page at nickvministries.org you'll see that over the last two years we've talked about all sorts of People groups you've mentioned human trafficked. Today we're going to talk about the disabled. we also talk about widows, widowers, veterans and families, affected with veterans and different health issues in our mental health way. When it comes to addictions, we talk about addictions from sexual addictions to substance addictions to pornographic addictions. we talk about abuse, verbal, emotional, physical and sexual abuse. and we talk about the bullied, we talk about poor, we talk about those who are in these people groups needing a word of encouragement. And so not only will you find sermons of me looking into the camera to any of these people, including the foster care child or child waiting for adoption or is adopted or is in a foster home, we want to encourage everyone. And so we're so thankful for this series that would resource any church to encourage the church to use those videos and messages to encourage your church community. But furthermore, the, caregiver training website, it's so beautiful because, you know, many of us sit in the pews and, I think we've missed a lot as the Western church has gone from what we used to really be Good at pre 205, in my opinion, is discipleship growth. Now we've become really good at church growth. And the qualitative measures of what we used to do As a church 30 years ago, we don't do as well today. Not only is it discipleship, but actually counseling one on one. You know, when we think about God and his people, yes, we're his children, but we're also his soldiers. And do you know that when you look at the unborn, where we also talk about the unborn and unexpected pregnancies, do you know that 25 million abortions in the US were done by people who profess that they're Christian, who actually go to church twice a month for three years on average. But we don't talk about ptsd, of the abortion, or the choices that we made, or the fact that it was the man who pressured the woman to do it, and not to talk about it just in a scriptural way, but also bridging bridges of love to communities that need that love, where the church is not really being the hands and feet. Well, the first and foremost people we need to really talk to about brokenness is in the church. And caregiver training enables any pastor to allow or, empower, and even underwrite, the program. It's only a couple hundred dollars. it's 12 hours, 20 hours for the core counseling, academic course and then a 12 hour for any specialty of counseling people one on one where you can learn how to, as a volunteer in the church, be able counsel people one on one with these different types of brokenness in their hearts. And so we feel that counseling is so key that it's really close to God's heart. He would never send army troops to the front line if they're bleeding. And unfortunately, a lot of us in the west, we have no idea how many sins are really on our hands as the body of Christ, but one of them really being not stewarding broken hearts. Well, we can teach a sermon, we can put him in a small group, but we actually never ask them what really happened to you when you were nine years old. And let's talk about it and let's see that God heals your heart because that's what God wants. He wants us healed and redeemed fully.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: That reminds me of Psalm 34:18. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. And even though that verse sounds so sad, Nick, my face is smiling. It is so big because I am so excited to see this resource there, like you said, to be the hands and feet of Jesus. And so much of what you said is you said it so kindly. And I think your accent really makes it even seem nicer, you know, because you can say anything and it sounds so nice. But you said some convicting things there. You said them in a very jovial way, but it's true. And you talk about how we are not doing a good job of discipling in the church. We are prioritizing programming over people we're thinking about. Especially I see that after Covid, Nick, where churches went online and then all of a sudden everybody saw in. You know, it's almost like, here's the church, here's the steeple, open the door. Here's the people we saw inside all of these churches and they thought, oh, they have fancy lights. Oh, they have this screen. Oh, they have this. And all of a sudden we feel this pressure to have this programming, but it's always about people. And you say that the greatest brokenness is not in our bodies, but our hearts and our mind. We see so many people in the church who are broken in body, but also broken in spirit. And to have this tangible resource here is so exciting. And Nick, before we go on, I have to tell you, you gave me some street cred with my kids because I was preparing for the show, I was watching some of your videos and my teenage Son comes by and he says, why are you watching those videos? And I said, oh, well, this guy is going to be on my show. And he said, really? We watch him all the time in school. Our teacher uses this curriculum. And I didn't even know that. I didn't even know that. That's a great way to use it, too. We have teachers who are using this curriculum to generate conversation.

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month

And this month we're talking about March. March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. And there's no one better to talk about this than you, Nick, because you have such a personal story. We know that you're not alone. We know that 1.3 billion people in the world experience significant disabilities. That's 16% of the global population, or 1 in 6 people. So all of us know someone who is disabled. And Nick, I would love for you, I know you've shared before, but for those who may have missed it, what is your story of disability?

>> Nick Vujicic: Well, goodness gracious me. I am just excited, because as I've traveled 85 countries and did 3500 speeches, so many people, we really don't understand that. Yeah, we do know someone, one in six, that have a disability. And, I don't know how many minutes before the break comes where you want me to share my story. But, not two yet.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Oh, two. We're at, ah, two minutes. He's just giving me the two minute warning. See, Nick, this is why we could talk for forever. But you can give a little preview and then we'll continue and pick it up after the break.

>> Nick Vujicic: Well, I'll give you the 1 minute, 45 second version. I was born in Australia with no limbs, no medical reason as to why this had happened. And, I was asking God, why did this happen? Why doesn't he give me arms and legs? God has a plan, hope and a future for me. And I felt like he needed to tell me what the plan was. But if he actually gave me the plan, that I don't have any room to use. Faith. And the whole point on this side of life is to just believe what he says. He has a plan that all things come together for the good, for those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes, that you can endure all things through Christ who strengthens you, and he never wastes pain. He'll use your pain. I always tell people now, I prayed for arms and legs and even attempted suicide at age 10 because I felt like I had no hope. But let me just say it this way. I gave my life to Jesus Christ at age 15, reading John chapter 9, realizing if God had a plan for a blind man, he's got a plan for me. And I don't need arms and legs. I need my soul free and saved, my mind renewed, my heart healed and I need to be the hands and feet of Jesus to a point where if I don't get a miracle, I can be one.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Nick, that is absolutely amazing. And to see the way that you've used your testimony. I remember you telling us last time that you thought of your parents and your parents are such a big part of the journey and knowing that what they were facing, what you would face, but seeing that you chose life and that you have not only chosen life, but you've chosen to live it abundantly. And that is what God has come to do. We have so I have so many more questions for Nick. Don't go away. We'll talk more about this on the other side of the break. I have some questions about interviews that he did with Joni Eareckson Tada and Bethany Hamilton. And if you want to go to this summit, go and look it up. You can find it online, Facebook, you can go to their website and you can sign up for the Champions Summit. Champions-summit.org and you can find out how to go in Dallas April 25th and 26th. Nick will be there, I will be there. So many other inspiring speakers will tell you more about it on the other side of this break. Because of listeners like you. PreBorn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies. Your $28 to sponsor one ultrasound doubled a baby's chance at life. Your tax- deductible gift saves lives. Please join us in this life saving mission. To donate, go to preborn.com/AFR. this June 24th marks three years since Roe vs Wade was overturned. But here's what you may not know. Abortion numbers have surged to a 10 year high. The battleground has shifted from the courtroom to our homes. Today, over 60% of abortions happen through the abortion pill. Taken in silence, often alone. Preborn network clinics are standing in the gap, meeting women in their most desperate hour. And here's what they're seeing. Young mothers, terrified, misled, are delivering their babies, tiny, perfectly formed onto bathroom floors. These precious babies, ones called just tissue, now lie lifeless. 11% of these women who take the abortion pill will suffer serious health complications. Countless others carry a emotional scars for a lifetime. When you give to preborn, you're not just saving a baby, you're saving a mother too. You're giving her hope, financial support and the truth. PreBorn has already rescued over 350,000 babies. But there are so many more who need our help. Your tax- deductible gift makes this mission possible. To donate now, dial pound 250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound 250 baby or go to preborn.com/AFR. that's preborn.com/AFR. Preborn's whole mission is to rescue babies from abortion and lead their families to Christ. Last year Preborn's network of clinics saw 8,900 mothers come to Christ. Please join us in this life saving mission. To donate, go to preborn.com/AFR. afr Nobody Loves Me Like You by Chris Tomlin  nobody. Loves me like you love me Jesus, I stand in awe of your amazing ways I worship you as long as I am breathing God, you are faithful and true Nobody loves me like you.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back friends. That song is Nobody loves me like you by Chris Tomlin and friends, that is a powerful truth. No one loves loves you, knows you, sees you, cares about you more than Jesus does. And if you're walking through this world and you are feeling discouraged, you're feeling downtrodden, you are feeling hopeless, depressed, this is the place to be. We are prescribing hope for Him. Healthy families today. And I'm so honored to be talking with Nick Vujicic, who you may know as Nick V. You can go to nickvministries.org that's nickvministries.org as soon as you pull that up, you will see information about the Champions Summit that he is hosting in April, April 25th and 26th in the Dallas area. So if you want to travel to Dallas, if you live in Dallas, Nick will be there, I will be there. Jenna Quinn, James Ward, Tough Harris, Jacob Booyens. So many powerful speakers talking about champions for the brokenhearted. I have been partnering with Nick's ministry to highlight each of these Champion populations. We're looking at champions for all kinds of needs and this month we're talking about champions for the disabled. Now if you want to learn more about the training that's there. They partnered with a licensed professional counselor, a licensed marriage and family therapist, Dr. Eric Scalise, to put some fantastic curriculum. So if you're thinking, I've always wanted to do something, this is a way that you can do something for people who are trafficked for the unborn, the disabled, the prisoner, the orphan, the widow, the abuse, the addicted, the suicidal, the bullied, the veteran, the poor. There are so many resources here also, along with video straight from Nick himself. And Nick has shared his testimony of being disabled, of being born without any arms or legs and without any reason why but how God has used his story.

One in six people worldwide is born with a physical disability

So, Nick, I want to bring you back in here because as we're talking about being champions for the disabled, one in six people in the world is born with a physical disability. You interviewed some other well known people who have disabilities, and the first one I want to ask you about is Bethany Hamilton. Now Bethany, many, people, many listeners will know very well her story, but just in case they don't, a young teenage surfer living in Hawaii, off the island of Kauai. And she was bitten by a shark and it took her arm. And you know, Nick, I'll tell you, just recently I was actually in Kauai on Tunnels beach beach where she was attacked by the shark. And the nurse in me was thinking about where did she go to the hospital. And I looked it up online and the hospital she went to from the beach was 40 miles from the beach. Now this is on a Hawaiian road, so it's about usually an hour and 15 minute drive. She lost 60% of her blood volume. She never should have made it. Yet she was on a surfboard less than a month after. Her accident has just been such a testament of resilience and that she attributes to her, her faith. So I want to know what it was like to interview her and what you learned from her.

>> Nick Vujicic: I'm so thankful that we're friends and seeing how God's continuing to bless her. And she got married, she got beautiful kids, she's traveling and inspiring so many young ladies nationwide to let them know that they're beautiful just the way that they are. you know, Joni Eareckson Tada, incredible, testimony and story. Actually her book inspired my mom when I was born, you know, without limbs and, it encouraged her. and then we actually met. I met Joni Eareckson Tada in 2002 and she gave me our first corporate office space until we could grow out of it. And it was just an incredible moment where I met Joni Erickson Tada, who had a swimming accident, became a quadriplegic and, you know, was with Condoleezza Rice putting in the Disabilities act for the nation, the United States of America, you know, pioneering that messaging back then that every person with a disability has value, every baby, has value whether they have a disability or not. And so these incredible advocates, and then even John o' Leary, who had, you know, an accident happen, with the Burn, that he had at four years of age. Look, there's so many people that go through life and many, though, who were born with disabilities, and it's not just accidents, whether it's a shark attack, or a diving accident or a burn accident. You know, you've got down syndrome, autism, all types of disabilities, learning disabilities, and the list goes on. And what's mostly incredible for me, is finding that this next generation, if I could ever thank God for anything of this next generation, they're the most compassionate and empathetic, generation, I've ever seen in this country. And that's really happened worldwide. And God has just got something special with young people. And we really want to encourage and challenge the youth pastors to help them help these people whose parents give them everything they want, when they want, how they want it. They think it's all about me, me, me, me, me. And they've never met anyone with a disability. They don't know how to approach anyone with a disability. We sometimes bully people and think that, oh, that's how we make them tougher, by putting them down. you know, I went to Mexico just, you know, last couple days, and we went down to an orphanage. A hundred children, and one of them was raped and pregnant. And, you know, six babies and I don't know, 50 under the age of 10 and 50 over the age of 10 and under 2015 in Mexico. And my camera crew, my. My coordinator, they all cried. In fact, he just told me today that he cried on Tuesday for six hours straight. Why? Because I didn't cry. I don't cry because I've seen that in 2002, it's. It's just when you've seen it, you can't unsee it. And you carry it with you. But these people never seen anything like it. And being able to hug orphans who say, I just want to hug, and they hug them. this is all it is, whether you have arms and legs or not. We all have disabilities on the inside. And the bottom line is 1 in 6 have different types of disabilities. And unfortunately, people don't understand the stress of what it means for a family. the stats are 85% of marriages affected with a child with a disability. 85% of, end up in divorce. And it's difficult. It just puts a lot of pressure on things. Whether it's an accidental thing or from birth. it is what it is. God allows bad things to happen, but his grace is sufficient. He still has A purpose for everyone. And everyone's story has the same power. So like, I don't know how it is to lose an arm from a shock attack. I don't know how it is to be a quadriplegic snapping my neck. I don't know how it is to be burned like John o' Leary. I don't know how it is to be someone with a Down syndrome son. but what I do know is I know how it is to be limbless. What we all can relate to is we know what it is to be broken, feeling alone, isolated, and never really finding a church that accepts me for me. And so many of programs, out there, it's really, really awesome. You got Johnny and friends, you've got so many different ministries out there. You got Calvary Church, adding Westlake. They're blowing up out there in California, going really well and strong. and it's just understanding that you got to meet your community where they're at. If 16 of the community has someone with, has a disability, what have we done to reach out to them? And what have we done to reach out to them? Not to necessarily just invite them to the church, but what if they never come? What outreach do you have, whether they come to your four wall building or not? And I just think that, you know, in the last four or five years, especially the 13 to 17 year olds, you know, all these other minor of people groups that have the spotlight of spotlights taken over handicap restrooms, you know, I was like, well, what about us? How is it that a minority group, which is a minority of a minority of a percentage in the world, how is it that all of a sudden they get 150 days of Spotlight, on the US DC calendar for their specific uniqueness and we don't have as many jobs for us. Like we're actually, you know, everyone's saying it's really hard to find good people. Well, we got technology, I think the disability force, whether they're blind or in a wheelchair, whether they can come or not come to the office. Are you kidding me? I've been hiring and firing 20, people since age 26. I've got four companies, 35 employees, 25 contractors. You want to know who the best workers are? Healed veterans. And right after that, number two, people with disabilities, their ethics, their loyalty, their attitude. you know, you try get a 17 year old at a coffee shop. I'm just a little tired today. Are you kidding me? You're fired. You're Freaking fired. Get out of here. you know, and all these people at church. Oh, you know, I'm just asking God to bless me. Are you kidding me? Are you kidding me? Use your arms and legs, go get a job, save up money and help other people. You spoilt little brats. When you have people in a wheelchair, they got the attitude of gratitude. They know what goal setting is because we have to do that. Every single day, we're reminded of our disability. We're thankful to God for what we have instead of being angry for what we don't have. I actually think that in the next four years, I'm going to help 400 disabled people to have their own podcast channel. There's no one out there. I couldn't care less about Joe Rogan and blah, blah, blah. I want people to actually hear from people who are blind, people who are deaf, people who are crippled, in wheelchairs or disabled. Sorry if that's offensive. I'm sorry for me, I didn't get offended at words. It is what it is. But here's the beautiful thing. Ready?

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: I'm ready.

>> Nick Vujicic: I think when you look at Luke 14, mandate. It's beautiful. Compel them to come in. And if they don't come in, go to the byways and highways and bring them in. But what do they bring him in for? Okay, now we're gonna pray. Now you're gonna tithe. Now you're gonna be part of the church. Now you're gonna serve. And now you're gonna go to a small group. That's not what he invited them to. He invited them into a feast, baby. A feast. And the world was too busy, busy being under Satan's yoke. And there's so many people going to hell who do things in Jesus name, including, you know, exorcisms of demons and stuff. But they're actually going to hell. the Bible says that, some of them are going to hell. And so what do we do? It's not about what you can do in Jesus name that makes you saved. It's how many broken people have you touched today in the name of Jesus? How many people know the love of God in you and through you, despite who you are? Despite. And we all are failures. We all need God. We all are under construction. But, man, I want to encourage the parents. I'm going to be doing a curriculum, based around my dad's book. Before he died. The title was Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child. It was just a book to encourage parents out there. And I just want everyone to know it's beautiful. I've met 30 limbless people who felt like giving up until they met me. We all have disabilities. I just think that we are completely missing what God wants us to catch on the other side of the boat.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Well, I stand by what I said, Nick. Your Australian accent lets you speak truth. And somehow it still comes across as charming, even though it's so difficult there. And we hear that. We hear your voice in that. I guess all I have to compare with that is a table. Texas, bless your heart. And that's what we have. But really, this is so. This is so encouraging to me. And I think of, of another man that I interviewed named Kevan Chandler. Now, Kevan was born with spinal muscular atrophy. And you talked, Nick, about your dad and your dad's book and that way, and. And the book that he was writing. And I think about Kevan sharing the story of his parents. They knew they had had a child with spinal muscular atrophy, and there was a chance that they could have another child with spinal muscular atrophy. And Nick says his father would recount and say. And say if we had another child just like that first one, that would be all right with us, because she is perfectly imperfect. Just exactly what you said. And I think this is really convicting to us to. To go to action, to actually do something. And I think we need to shift that narrative from the disabilities that we have. I'm sorry, I'm just checking with my team to see if we. Okay. If we. And we might have lost Nick. These are the joys of live radio here. But I think that we need to shift that narrative from the disability to the ability. And so often we see others with outward disabilities. Nick, you obviously see that he has a disability. You see that he ha. That he is limbless. You see Kevan Chandler in a wheelchair. You see Bethany Hamilton has lost her arm. You see Joni Eareckson Tada. in a. In a wheelchair. And you can see those disabilities. And somehow our inward disabilities are inward brokenness. As Nick had said, our greatest brokenness is not in our bodies, but our hearts. And our minds were broken in. Not in body, but in mind and spirit. And we hide those on the inside. And somehow those are more socially acceptable. Somehow those are easier to find. And that is just not okay. And listen, we've got lots more to talk about with Nick Vujicic, with Nick V. Ministries. I want to encourage you to go to nickvministries.org that's nickvministries.org you'll see the information there about the Champions Summit. If you are in the Dallas area or want to travel to the Dallas, Texas area, you can come to this summit on April 25th and 26th. It will be on a Friday and a Saturday where we'll be talking more about Champions for the Brokenhearted. You will be equipped that this would be a great summit for church leaders to come to or for anyone who has a passion for starting this ministry. We'll talk about all of those populations that are there and equip you with curriculum to go back and to do something in your community to really, really make a difference again. You can go to nickvministries.org you can also go to championstraining.org if you want to look specific specifically at this curriculum that is there. I hope that you will consider joining us and whether you come to the summit or not, I hope that you'll go and look at these populations, the specializations Champions for the Brokenhearted and that you will answer that call to do something. We'll be back on the other side of this break.

>> Podcast AFA Spots: The month of June has been hijacked by the anti Christian culture to show their pride in something God calls an abomination. When you support afr, you help us continue to stand for godly values and provide the resources for you to stay in the know about the enemy's tactics. To say thank you for your gift. This month we'll give you the booklet Inside the LGBTQ push of the 1990s. To help strengthen your convictions. Just go to afr.net/offers afr.net/offers House of the Lord by Phil Wickham we. Worship the God who was we worship the God who is we worship the God who ever more will be he opened the prison door he parted the raging sea My God, he holds the victory There's joy in the house of the Lord There's joy in the house of the Lord today and we won't be Quiet we shout out your praise There's joy in the house of the Lord Our God is surely in this place And. We won't be quiet.

March specifically focuses on the disabled. So often we want to make a difference

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Welcome back friends. That's House of the Lord by Phil Wickham. And there is joy in the house of the Lord. Today we are sharing that joy with you by inviting you to become a champion for the brokenhearted. Listen, when I heard about this, for me, as a nurse, as a mom and as a professor, it really grabbed me. We're talking about curriculum that is provided to you from Nick Vujicic or Nick V. Ministries. You can go to nickvministries.org to find out more about this. So often we want to make a difference for the trafficked, the unborn, the disabled, the prisoner, the orphan. But we don't know what to do. This champions training, equips you to come alongside the brokenhearted and provide help. It encourages people who are in need of compassion, care and counsel in very practical ways. And it empowers you to be as a person of faith, a competent first responder in making a difference. I've looked at this curriculum as I've shared with you. It was co developed by Eric Scalise, Dr. Eric Scalise, a licensed professional counselor, a ah, licensed marriage and family therapist. It is so practical, it is evidence based. It is really something that you could implement within your ministry. And we're talking here to Nick V. Who has inspired millions around the world with his ministries and we're talking about March. March specifically focuses on the disabled. There is a population for every month and we are talking about the disabled. So before the break, Nick, you preached a sermon. There was joy in the house of the Lord because you took us to church and I appreciate that and I'm going to let you finish your sermon.

>> Nick Vujicic: So I really appreciate that. Look, my hands got in the way of the signal and I got cut out. I'm just passionate about reaching people where they're at and churches don't know how to do that. And so yes, there's ministries and how to do that in some other ways but, but we're so excited about this trainer, caregiving, sorry, caregiver trainer where we actually have this ability to help you, just like you said, counsel one on one people with disabilities, whether they're younger or older. you know everyone in church, we sit down in the pews. One percent of us has a heart for the foster kid, 1% of us has a heart for the veterans and 1% of us has a heart that wants to do something for the disabled. And so how do we do that? How do we bring them into church? Well you can also counsel them, them one on one with this counseling, incredible program to actually see hearts healed because you know some, some disabled families, sorry, some disabled people and families with disabilities have been very hurt by the church. We've been told we can't come, our kids are too loud. We've been told, you know, you just have lack of faith. You don't speak in tongues, you don't give enough to the church, you don't come to the church enough. God's punishing you. There's got to Be something wrong in your life that causes disability. And none of that's true. We know that disabilities came from the curse of sin. But what the enemy tried to use for bad, God can turn into good. And whatever is happening in your life from the past doesn't define your future. And when we pray for arms and legs for me, and I pray for you to walk, and I pray for you right now, whatever disability you have or your child, in Jesus name, be healed. But Lord, we, you know, the Lord we serve is the Lord who understands that the greatest miracle of all is being saved. Our, mind being renewed and our hearts healed. And, and so many people say even they're saved or even go to church, but their hearts are still bleeding. They're not sure about their value. They get bullied at school. They feel like they're a burden to their parents. the real fears, am I going to get married? Am I ever going to have a job? These are real, real fears. And the church, quite frankly, generally speaking, we don't know how to reach these people groups. And so we're so excited to equip the church here. And I just think we're missing out. I think it's the body of Christ that's missing out. To say to the hand and the foot, we don't need you. And if we're not compelling him to come into the church, it's basically saying, we're fine without you. And, and I want every pastor to hear that really clearly. You know, move in your young people, right? Oh, we do missions trips. Do you? And you go to Mexico and you build a house in Mexico and you take a carpenter's job. No, if you take into Mexico, taken to an orphanage, that their hearts are broken. Take them down the street and expose them to people with disabilities. Show them what they really should be thankful for. And God can only do that when they experience that. And so that's what I just wanted to share. I wanted people to understand. It's an incredible opportunity. It is the cry of the heart father that we would reach out to be the hands and feet, Help the mothers, help the fathers, the single mothers, single dad, and the siblings of these people with disabilities, they're in their shadows. My brother was in my shadow. But anyway, Dr. Jessica, let me tell you, at the end of this year as well, there's going to be an incredible documentary piece of no Limbs, no Limits. It's coming out in theaters in the US of 8th of October, 2025. And it's just letting everyone know that no matter who we are, no matter what disabilities we have, our history is his story. And God can use anyone if he can use a man without limbs to be his hands and feet.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: I cannot wait to see it. Saw some little sneak previews at NRB and so excited to see that.

Nick, there's a difference between accommodating people with disabilities and welcoming them

And, Nick, you're so encouraging, because I'm sitting here, I'm looking at the website right now. I'm on the page for Champions for the disabled. And let me just share with our listeners some of the practical things that are here. You have an interview with Joni Eareckson Tada You have a ability to chat right now with a spiritual coach, someone who can care, encourage, and pray for you. There is an ebook there with the curriculum. And, you know, I think there's a difference when you're talking about the church environments, Nick, between accommodating people with disabilities and welcoming them. So sometimes, you know, you can tell when a church environment is not prepared when somebody comes with disabilities, and then all of a sudden they're scrambling like, okay, what should we do? Oh, your wheelchair doesn't fit through the door. Oh, I don't know if we have, you know, workers who are trained to do that. Oh, okay. Well, I guess we can make something work today that's so much different than an environment that has been thoughtful and intentional. And when they show up saying, oh, yeah, we have a plan for that, we have a plan for you. I know I worked at a. Well, I went to a church. I attended a church that had a ministry called, Champions for Christ. And this was a program where they used youth to be buddies with kids who had disabilities. And another broader part of the program, just being prepared for that, they said, oh, yeah, we have a program for you. I think that makes such a. A difference in the heart of families who are looking to come. But families with disabilities can sometimes have greater barriers to going to church. So what would you say? I want you to really encourage those churches who maybe are not prepared to welcome people with disabilities and will just be finding themselves accommodating them. What charge would you give them, Nick?

>> Nick Vujicic: This is the charge, and it's an encouragement. You know, sometimes you go to an orphanage. Let's say I, went to Africa, right, As a young, young, young guy. And you think you're going there because, you know you're giving away $28,000 cash to buy washers, dryers, diapers, medical equipment, and people's lives are being saved. That's what I did at age 19. And you think you go there to be a blessing. You walk away and they've blessed you more than you could ever imagine and you feel like you've been blessed more than you, then they've been blessed, blessed just because you gave them some life saving stuff. It's what the Holy Spirit wants to do in your church if you give him a chance and be with those that others don't want to be with and listen to those that have something to share and they're part of the body of Christ. And let me tell you, whatever lessons you think you want to tell Gen Z, or younger kids about the character of God, man, if you just expose them to the beauty and the bouquet of beautiful flowers that God has displayed by his bride and his children that have disabilities, man, he just speaks right to the heart. And you have all of a sudden less pride. You have all of a sudden an attitude of gratitude. it's just incredible what God does to those who understand what serving is the way that Jesus did. And the blessing that would come to your church in that qualitative measure is exceedingly, abundantly more than you can ever ask, imagine or attain. And yet, yes, it's another program and yes, it's more work and yes, but you'd be surprised if you did an announcement. Is there anyone here passionate for the disabled? There's always 1% of every church that is ready to help you to do the heavy lift because it's not on the pastor, it's the whole church.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: I know that some of those people are listening right now and their hearts are just burning within them, thinking, I have had this, on my heart for so long. I have wanted to do something. And, and this is what we are, this is what we are, equipping people to do. And hang on just a second there. We're working with some phone line issues, trying to make sure that we get Nick back. But that is a very compelling charge. Again, if you want to do something, you think, I have been wanting to do something, you can go to nickvministries.org nickvministries.org you can find out more about the Champions Summit and you can find out more about the curriculum. Again, some of the things that we have shared are that approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide are experiencing significant disabilities. This is 16% or one in six people in the population. And really looking at champions for the disabled, we want to highlight the importance of supporting these people and in all their aspects of life. We're talking education, employment, healthcare, and in the church and some of the things that Nick has shared is that from his memories as a fir. from his first memories as a child, he knew that he was different. And he said, my disability tried to define my life while other people's opinions put me in a box that was in my head. And Nick, I know that there are people who have disabilities who are listening right now and who are still struggling with those. Maybe these are new disabilities. Maybe these are old ones they've carried for a long time. And they're thinking, I want to speak like you are speaking. I want to have that hope, that optimism, that confidence that you did. What would you say? Straight to them.

>> Nick Vujicic: Look. Thank you. find the 10 verses that you can hold on to. And you know, chatgpt. Pretty good at that for now. Google's pretty good at it. Go to Joni Eareckson Tada though. Get a couple books of hers. incredible books of, you know, when we're in suffering and we don't understand, encourage yourself that way. Read out those verses, pray to God, and basically I would say, count the blessings of your life. Thank God for those blessings. Ask God to direct you and lead you in his time and his way, and he will. We don't know what we don't know, but thank God for what you do know. And no matter what, we have the disability or not. I ask Jesus, Jessica, every day, Jesus, what am I doing that you want me to stop doing? What am I not doing you want me to start doing? And I'll leave you with this as well. We become the best listeners as broken people sometimes. And one of the ways that I got through my depression was listening to other people and just listening to other people, not trying to tell them that I understand them, not trying to tell them, oh, I. I had this, and this happened to me. And that's kind of similar to. No, just shut your mouth and open your ears and be a listening ear. And one day in heaven there'll be people coming up to you and saying, you listened to my pain and you prayed for me. I never got to thank you. Thank you so much, Jessica. I'll leave you with this. The greatest prayer warriors are those who are bedridden.

>> Nick Vujicic: The greatest prayer warriors are those who are bedridden. And I'm going to tell you, my friend, if you're bedridden, when you pray, angels move and there is a purpose. And if you can just help one other person somehow, never give up. It's great.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: You know, Nick, you're making me teary. I'm thinking of my granny she was disabled after she had a stroke, and she was put in a nursing home. And she was one of the most social people you could ever imagine. And for a while, she was in a pretty deep depression. And one day I walked into her room and her whole countenance had changed. She was smiling, she was active. And I said, granny, what happened? She said, God changed my heart. She said, I realized that I didn't have a ministry out, in the world, but I have a purpose. I can pray. And I'm going to pray for every person who comes in to take care of me. They have burdens. They have things that they are carrying. And I want to be a light of Jesus to them. And I can do that right here from my hospital bed. And she said, and they have to take care of me. They have to listen to what I say. And it was so inspiring to me. She just. And it just gave her such power to say, yeah, you're my caretaker. You gotta listen to what I have to say. And I'm gonna tell you about the good news of Jesus. Listen, if you want to see Nick in person, you can go to the Summit. Go to nickvministries.org I will be there, too, along with many other inspirational speakers who will leave you equipped to become champions for the brokenhearted. I pray that the Lord will bless you and keep you and make his face shine upon you until we are back here together tomorrow. Tomorrow is, We've got a great show lined up for you. Ask doctor, Nurse, Mama. Friday. We'll see you then.

>> Jeff Chamblee: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

Nick Vujicic joins Jessica to talk about the NickV Ministries Champions initiative and how we can be a champion for the disabled.

Rx for Hope: Be a Champion for the Disabled

https://nickvministries.org/