Christian athlete selected for the Paralympics

British athlete, Anna Sharkey, who has a Christian faith, has been selected as part of a team of five who will comprise the GB Goalball team at the forthcoming Paralympic Games.

Goalball is a dynamic, game of speed, strength and coordination, played by athletes with visual impairment. You can find out more about Goalball by downloading our new free resource, ‘Lasting Values’.

Anna is a follower of Jesus Christ and says: “I went along to a Spring Harvest and it was incredibly inspiring to know that I could actually have a relationship with God. I think the difference it makes is that you have no fear. To know Jesus is to know that this being who has created you and loves you would actually sacrifice Himself for you! I do things wrong – I am human. Everybody does. But I know my God, my Father in heaven loves me whatever I do”.

Please join Through the Roof in praying for Anna and Britain’s other Christian Paralympians whose profiles we will soon be featuring on our website and Summer Vital Link newsletter. This information has been provided by teaming up with our friends at Verite Sport who promote a Christian presence in sport based on the teachings of the Bible.

Photo credit to Goalball UK

Lasting values of the Paralympics

With three months to go until the Paralympic Games, Through the Roof has joined with ALOVE, the youth division of the Salvation Army, both contributors to More Than Gold's Paralympic Team, to launch ‘Lasting Values’ - a new free resource enabling schools and church youth groups to explore the values of the Games.

Available to download free ‘Lasting Values’ provides interactive, ready-to-use session content, based on the values of Courage, Determination, Equality and Inspiration, adopted by the Paralympic Games.

Each session offers leaders the opportunity to select from options of practical activities to explore with their young people. These include visual (video), active (disability sports and games), creative (arts/crafts/drama), and the experience of multi-sensory ideas, which engage all abilities in individual and group settings. The resource helps leaders apply the learning to the young people’s lives and also gives the option to learn principles of truth through Bible verses and prayer.

Tim Wood, Chief Executive of Through the Roof said: “The Paralympic Games offers the unique opportunity for the church to profile the needs of the most excluded people group - disabled people. I hope this resource can serve churches in helping transform attitudes to disability.” Co-author, Rachel Boyes, Strategic Development Officer for ALOVE, added, “The values of the Paralympics send a positive message to inspire us all in our communities. The resource provides creative ways to enable young people to explore the values and how to apply them in their own lives. ”

Helping/supporting disabled people

If you feel you could help a disabled holiday guest (adult or child) our holidays section has more information on the holidays themselves and on being a helper.

Overseas Mission Opportunities

We have a number of voluntary  short-term overseas mission opportunities – for both our  Wheels for the World and Integr8 programmes.

Countries visited vary from year to year but may include Guatemala, Uganda, Kenya, Moldova.  If you're interested in any of the following vacancies, please do contact us.

Trainer (Integr8)
Requires someone with a working knowledge of appropriate activities for young disabled people e.g. in a school setting, and a positive attitude towards their capabilities and potential.  The role involves communicating ideas, methods and encouragement regarding the inclusion of disabled children in church and community life to large and small audiences, to convey the values of inclusion.  Must be a flexible, team player, with strong Christian faith, sensitive to serving the needs of others.

Speaker/Teacher (Wheels for the World)
Requires knowledge of biblical issues regarding disability and practical knowledge of disability/church related issues. Will teach about disability awareness, developing ministry and services for and with people with disabilities to various audiences, small groups and one-on-one.  Must be flexible and sensitive to meeting needs of encouragement and education as identified by national contacts.

Young disabled role model
Requires young adult (16+) with a Christian faith, who is able to communicate their personal experience of disability to various audiences e.g. church congregations, teachers, families.  Must have positive attitude, be flexible and a team player.  Ideally, should be able to lead others in an activity of own choice e.g. craft/sports/drama/music...

Buddy to young disabled role model
Requires Christian (16+) with mature attitude and (ideally) experience of disability, sensitive to serving the needs of others, to support young disabled role model .

Bible Teacher/Pastor
Requires knowledge of the Bible to communicate God’s heart for disabled people to various audiences e.g. teachers, pastors, community leaders and families in large and small group settings.

Adult with personal experience of disability
Requires Christians with experience of disability as parents, siblings or relatives who can communicate their experience to various audiences.

Wheelchair seating
Requires experience of identifying needs and fitting suitable wheelchairs and ability to demonstrate the proper handling of a wheelchair, pressure control, transfers etc for recipient and family members.

Mechanic ("Techie")
Requires mechanical skills and ability to work closely with seating specialists and to customise wheelchairs if necessary.

Administrator (Wheels for the World)
Requires a detail-oriented, good communicator to handle all of the paperwork associated with the distribution, including keeping track of team finances and performing administrative support role for the Team Leader.

Photography
Requires someone to make a comprehensive photo record of the wheelchair distribution, each of the recipients who receive a chair and ideally also a video record of the trip.