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When Pastor Tim Priewe’s daughter was born with cerebral palsy, he struggled to understand God’s plan. Now, three years later, the Priewes have experienced countless blessings through their little daughter, Josie.
Priewe, pastor at Mount Olive in Appleton, Wis., has watched as Josie’s disability provided opportunities for God to be glorified through the loving and supportive actions of others. He says, “Her disability has also put us into a mission field that our eyes may not have been open to see.”
Mount Olive’s neighborhood is home to a Miracle League complex, where special-needs children can play baseball in a safe and fun environment. Community volunteers serve as coaches, pitchers, and “Buddies” who are paired with every player.
Over the past couple of years, 15 to 20 Mount Olive members have volunteered weekly at Miracle League games. Priewe remarks, “It felt like the perfect way for us to open our eyes and actually be present in our community.” Miracle League of Fox Valley even asked the church to host its rained-out opening day picnic. “We got to welcome several hundred people to our campus!” says Priewe.
To deepen the relationships already forming, Priewe asked Kari Falck—a member at Mount Olive and avid Miracle League Buddy—to organize a New Friends event through the Jesus Cares program.
Local Miracle League families were invited, and as the event neared, Priewe remarks, “I had so many volunteers register for the New Friends event that I eventually had to turn some of them away.” While the event turnout was smaller than anticipated, the church wholeheartedly embraced its opportunity to show love and support to special-needs children and their families through games, songs, and the gospel message.
The congregation looks forward to hosting similar events in the future. “Children and parents with special needs and disabilities face immense challenges and obstacles, some of which can result in them being marginalized or feeling left out,” Priewe says. “This was a way to bridge the gap and do something just for them.”
Author: FIC
Volume 111, Number 10
Issue: October 2024
