02/12/2025
Today is International Persons with Disability Day.
It is a day that reflects our vision as an organisation: to see people with disabilities leading, contributing, growing and belonging in Christian communities and wider society.
To recognise this day, we have shared this video testimony of Yung Chen and how he came to know Jesus Christ.
You may know Yung as one of the men who attends the Elevate Christian Disability Trust Drop-in Centre each week, or whom you may have seen featured in Issue 180 of the Encourager magazine, where Yung shares about his work as an artist.
Yung's story is a powerful reminder that Christ meets us where we are at; be it in a Church service, through a good friend, or when you are lying down to go to sleep at night.
This month, Yung is also leading the communion message at his local Church in Auckland, New Zealand.
This post is not only to share Yung's testimony, but also to remind us to keep putting ourselves forward to serve, lead and contribute to our own Church communities and to share our hope in Christ with others.
Here is how Yung prepared to share a message and lead communion at his Church later this month:
1. Yung asked his Pastor in advance for the opportunity to share a message and lead communion.
2. His Pastor agreed, and he was scheduled for a specific date to lead communion.
3. Yung prepared a scripture and adjoining message that was important to him, Philippian's 4:13: "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."(NLT).
4. Yung asked some of the Elevate Christian Disability Trust staff for a hand typing the message up for his Pastor to read in advance of the service.
5. Yung asked an Elevate Christian Disability Trust volunteer for some feedback on what he had prepared, and whether they had any suggestions to help him improve his message. They made edits together and practiced.
On this day, we hope you are encouraged by Yung's testimony to keep sharing this message with other people who have not heard it — "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."(NLT).
A huge thanks to Lina, a student volunteer who helped to edit, caption, and prepare this video with Yung Chen. And Jacqui, who helped film and record 🎥🎙️
