Joni and Friends is a new-28 minute television program hosted by Joni. It takes a refreshingly honest approach to people's toughest questions about the goodness of God in a world shattered by pain and suffering.

Through dramatic and powerful glimpses into the lives of real people who have endured – or are still enduring – heart wrenching trials, Joni and her guests put Scripture to the toughest of tests, showing why God is worth believing and how to trust Him in the worst of times.

In this unique program, we meet the exceptional people who inspire Joni Tada, world-famous quadriplegic author and artist.

Joni and Friends is a half-hour of riveting images, soul-stirring stories, and proof-positive truths from the heart of God's Word which promises to change your life. The program airs for the first time on October 19 on NRB-TV. Click on www.joniandfriendstv.org/test/  to preview the program.

According to a dedicated website, NRB Television a growing Christian television network available now on DirectTV. The NRB Network is a new Christian World View, sponsor-supported television network, which debuted on DIRECTV on December 21, 2005.

As of September 30, 2005, DIRECTV had approximately 15 million subscribers. The site claims: "Our audience of 15 million viewers appreciates our top-notch, meaningful, Christian programming."

The NRB Network will be included in DIRECTV’s base package, TOTAL CHOICE, on channel 378 making it available to all DIRECTV subscribers. DIRECTV currently has a fleet of eight satellites, enabling distribution of more than 244 English digital video and XM Satellite Radio channels.

Joni Rallies Disability Volunteers in the Upper Midwest

At a Joni and Friends rally at Bethlehem Baptist Church in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota Joni told an overflow crowd that June 30th, 2007 marked her 40th year in a wheelchair.

"Forty years in a wheelchair is a LONG time," she said.

Joni said that suffering is "God's choice tool" for bringing us to the foot of the Cross, where we can deal with sin and self.

She quoted Philippians 3:8-9, expressing her desire to know more of Christ through the suffering imposed on her through her disability, brought about by a 1967 diving accident in Chesapeake Bay at the age of 17, which left her as a quadriplegic.

Joni reminded the audience that those with disabilities are also sinners and encouraged the Minnesota cohort of Joni and Friends, based in Minneapolis/St. Paul, to reach out to the disabled in their communities, since families are struggling with having disabled relatives and they too need the love of God.

Joni encouraged the JAF volunteers to get involved with the disabled in their communities, stressing that divorce in families dealing with disabilities was on the rise.

She told the Bible story of how Blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus as He was passing by. The Disciples told him to "be quiet," but then after Jesus showed an interest in meeting him, they changed their tune and told him to "get over here."

"That's what Jesus wants us to do for the disabled," said Joni.

Earlier in the evening, the ministry showed a video of a trip to Cameroon taken by members of the local chapter of Joni and Friends to deliver wheelchairs to those in need in that country.

A slideshow also featured scenes of young disabled campers at the ministry's Castaway Club family camp retreat, based in Detroit Lakes, MN, including photos of several young people enjoying a ride on a zip line.

Joni quipped: "Now if that doesn't bring you to the Lord, nothing will!"

Music was provided by Minneapolis-based pianist Mary Beth Carlson (www.marybethcarlson.org)  who, with her husband Kent, is on the local board of ministry development for JAF in Minnesota.

Members of the River Valley Dance Academy performed an adaptive dance routine

Dr. John Piper of Bethlehem Baptist Church (far right, next to Joni) commissions the Minneapolis JAF Board.

The River Valley Dance Academy, based in the Twin Cities' western suburb of Chaska, performed an adaptive dance routine featuring some of the disabled dancers in wheelchairs, which received a standing ovation for its participants.

Bethlehem Baptist's pastor, John Piper, known across America for his books and radio program Desiring God (www.desiringgod.org)  -- which offers books, sermons, articles and more to help you find your joy in God -- closed the evening with a prayer of commissioning for the 2008 board and the forthcoming family retreat in June, 2008.

The Minneapolis/St. Paul ministry of Joni and Friends was founded in 2001 with Katy Thuleen as the Program Manager.

With the assistance of a local Board of Ministry Development, JAF has involved thousands of volunteers from local churches in serving people affected by disability. JAF encourages local Christians to join them in fulfilling their vision, which is to assist the church to “go quickly and compel the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind to come in to God’s house” (Luke 14).

Their mission is "to equip the church worldwide to become disability aware, friendly and effective," through such programs as Wheels for the World, described as "Changing lives one wheelchair at a time through recycling, refurbishing, and redistributing used mobility equipment."

Find more information at www.joniandfriends.org  and http://minneapolis.joniandfriends.org/  

** Michael Ireland is an international British freelance journalist. A former reporter with a London newspaper, Michael is the Chief Correspondent for ASSIST News Service of Lake Forest, California. Michael immigrated to the United States in 1982 and became a US citizen in September, 1995. He is married with two children. Michael has also been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. His weblog appears at: Michael's Wor(l)d BLOG