Joni and Friends staff member Ricardo Diaz joins host Stephanie Daniels to talk about how the ministry empowers and mobilizes our amazing volunteers to bring hands-on help and Gospel hope to people living with disability worldwide. With contagious enthusiasm, Ricardo shares how investment in training, encouragement, and cultivating a sense of belonging among volunteers translates into life-changing impact, for the volunteers themselves and the people we serve. Don’t miss this energizing conversation—and be sure to explore the many ways you can volunteer with Joni and Friends!
Joni and Friends envisions a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. And you can be part of making this vision a reality!
When you volunteer with Joni and Friends, you will transform lives by delivering hands-on help and the love of Jesus Christ to the people we serve.
Find volunteer opportunities near you!
Join one of our Wheels for the World™ outreach teams!
KEY QUESTIONS:
KEY SCRIPTURES:
Stephanie Daniels:
Hi friends! I’m your host, Stephanie Daniels, and you’re listening to the Joni and Friends Ministry Podcast. We’re sharing hope as we answer real questions about disability. Join us every week for an honest and encouraging conversation, along with practical ways to include people with disability in your church and community. So, grab a seat, and let’s jump in!
Ricardo Diaz is the guy to know. It seems like he's friends with everyone, and I'm convinced that he's never met a stranger. When you talk with him, his passion for the Kingdom of God and for all people is so evident.
Today, Ricardo joins us to share his heart for serving people, especially in a volunteer capacity, and why it's so important to model Jesus as we serve. Welcome to the podcast, Ricardo.
Ricardo Diaz:
Thanks so much for having me. I'm so happy to be here.
Stephanie Daniels:
Well, I'm so glad you're here, and we're just gonna dive right in. So, you didn't grow up here in the U.S., you grew up in Ecuador. What was that like?
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, I mean, growing up in Ecuador was great. I was born in the city of Guayaquil on the coast of Ecuador. And when I was eight years old, my mother and I moved to the capital city called Quito.
Even though Ecuador is a, it's a small country you know, it's the same size as Colorado, we have a beautiful variety of topography that makes it unique. Like, just to give an example, we have beaches and mountains with many active volcanoes, and also, the Amazon is located to the east. And a lot of people don't know this, but the Galapagos Islands also belong to us. And because of all the variety that you see, we have also a variety of foods that reflect each geographical location.
Stephanie Daniels:
It sounds like paradise. And it sounds like for me, Ecuador is a place that I need to go because they have the giant hundred-year-old sea turtles, and if there's good food in a place that's somewhere I wanna be.
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, I mean, Galapagos is known for those turtles and also, penguins that have blue feet.
Stephanie Daniels:
I have never seen a blue footed penguin before. I feel like you've seen all the things.
Ricardo Diaz:
I've seen a lot of things. I mean, Ecuador, it's a, it's a pretty cool country. I'm very happy to, grew up in that context, seeing all that beauty.
In addition to that, I mean, Ecuadorian people are friendly, and family driven. So as a child I had the wonderful opportunity to experience all the beautiful things about my country and be shaped by some of the wonderful aspects of my culture.
And maybe some people know this but, Ecuador became the focal point of missionary work because of the five missionaries, one of those being Jim Elliot, who went to the Waorani's and gave their lives to the Lord Jesus, so that that community, which right now they're all believers...
Stephanie Daniels:
Wow!
Ricardo Diaz:
...can actually hear the Gospel for the very first time. So, their sacrifice for the cause of Christ made Ecuador the focal point for missionary work for many, many years, and that's a tremendous legacy that we have.
Stephanie Daniels:
Okay, so we love the Elliots here at Joni and Friends. Elisabeth Elliot, she was a friend of Joni, she was married to Jim. And our YouTube viewers, our social media followers, always love when we share anything about Elisabeth Elliot.
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah. So, at one point, doing some short-term mission trips with teams that came from the U.S. and even Canada, one of the things that I did with a team from Texas, actually, we went to see Jim Elliot's old house in a particular location in the jungles of Ecuador. Nearby where the incident happened. It's interesting because he and other people built this house. Of course it's abandoned, it's old, and only bats live in this house. But when you see the structure, it looks like an American home. It doesn't look like an Ecuadorian home.
Stephanie Daniels:
Wow.
Ricardo Diaz:
So that's just unique to see that historic piece of evidence of what Jim Elliot and all those missionaries did many years ago. Which is so impactful that someone will leave the comfort of a first world country, to go to my country and to love on my people, so that we can all hear the good news of the Lord Jesus. What a legacy.
Stephanie Daniels:
What.
Ricardo Diaz:
And I'm just grateful that I grew up in that environment.
Stephanie Daniels:
What a legacy. I love that you said that. Did your wife go to the missionary school there?
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, my wife was a missionary in Ecuador for six years. So, we met year three. She saw me, and then she fell in love with me. That's what she brought me here to the States.
No, that's not true. That's something I wanna believe. That's not true. I definitely married up. She was a missionary in Ecuador for six years. She was the chaplain coordinator, and I was just a drum teacher at this missionary school. So, we met both Ecuadorian families, and also missionary families, that just give their lives in trying to share the Gospel in many remote locations in my country. So yeah.
Stephanie Daniels:
I love that. So, Ricardo, what's the perspective or the view of disability in Ecuador?
Ricardo Diaz:
That's a very good question. Unfortunately, the perspective of disability in Ecuador is they view disability with a curse.
Stephanie Daniels:
Hmm.
Ricardo Diaz:
Maybe God was angry with that family or maybe something wrong happened in that family, so they see disability as a direct connection with a consequence that can only be interpreted in maybe spiritual terms.
Stephanie Daniels:
Sure.
Ricardo Diaz:
So, people don't really talk about that. Disability creates a lot of shame in families. It was just recently that we have a family member, one of my cousins in Ecuador that has a developmental disability and I remember asking my aunt to share a little bit about her story and she shared with me with tears in her eyes how embarrassed and shameful she felt when she delivered the baby and had to tell the family the condition of the baby.
So, disability in Ecuador unfortunately is connected to something that is shameful or embarrassing so that's very unfortunate.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah. It makes me think of the story in John 9, where the people ask Jesus, "Who sinned?" And so, it sounds like people in Ecuador often attribute people's disability to maybe the parent's sin or like you said, like a mistake or just something that had happened. And that's really, really interesting that that is a common idea in lots of countries. 'Cause it seems like people just...
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah.
Stephanie Daniels:
...living with disability are an afterthought. But there is a much greater purpose for that life and the condition. God always has a purpose, and he can use things for his glory.
Ricardo Diaz:
Mm-hmm.
Stephanie Daniels:
And that's exactly how Jesus responded in that scripture, so the works of God could be displayed.
So, Ricardo, when did you develop a love for people living with disability?
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah. I mean unfortunately I didn't grow up encountering anyone with a disability. I had no idea. When I was 19 years old, it was the first time I encountered someone with a disability. When the founder of, uh, an organization that serve kids with disabilities asked me to sing and lead worship at one of their retreats. And I encountered so many kids that had a variety of disabilities. It was the first time I encountered someone who was technically diagnosed with autism. That was my first time. So, for two days, the Lord gave me the opportunity to witness and be a part of a wonderful community full of love, patience, and service.
However, even though my love and compassion for people affected with disabilities started at that small retreat, for over 10 years I've had the opportunity to do life with my brother-in-law who has an intellectual disability. He has shown me in many ways that being passionate about loving the Lord Jesus, his mission in his church, is really the most important characteristic of an individual. And seeing my brother-in-law develop the abilities God has given him to contribute to the greater society has been a tremendous joy to watch.
Stephanie Daniels:
That's so beautiful. Does he serve in his church?
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, he was a greeter for many years at the church. Right now, he's a part of a Christian university and he's very independent. He excelled in Special Olympics doing golf, and swim, and...
Stephanie Daniels:
Oh, wow.
Ricardo Diaz:
...even doing track. So, it's pretty incredible.
Stephanie Daniels:
That's awesome. So, you've worked in youth ministry, you've pastored a church, you've done missions work, and now you serve here at Joni and Friends. And as I heard your story, I just felt like all of your past experiences have come together to make your current role a perfect fit. Can you tell us about your role here at Joni and Friends?
Ricardo Diaz:
Absolutely. Currently I work at Joni and Friends as the Director of International Volunteer Engagement. Simply put, my job is to train, care, and empower our International Regional Managers and Country Coordinators, to help mobilize the volunteers they have been serving with in some cases for decades.
So, at Joni and Friends, we define our volunteers as people called by God to invest their time and their talent in creating a world where every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ.
As a ministry, we commit to stewarding our volunteers’s investment by providing training and community opportunities so that they can continue to reach their neighborhoods and local churches with practical help and Gospel hope so that God's house will be full and Jesus will be glorified.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yes. I love that. It makes me think of Romans 10:15. It says, “And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the Gospel of peace and bring glad tings of good things." And I feel like that is what you are doing and what you are sending out the volunteers that you're training to do, it really is so beautiful what we're perpetuating here through Joni and Friends all around the world.
And I love that when I asked you about you explaining your role, what you do here at Joni and Friends, your accountants, your voice, everything just lifts up and you just light up the whole space here. So, since you have such a heart for people, have you always been this way?
Ricardo Diaz:
I think I have, I mean, I think I have always had, you know, a heart towards people. I mean, I am an extrovert. I sincerely want to know people's stories, but especially their testimonies. I do want to know how Jesus was and continues to be the hero of the people I get to meet and work with in the U.S....
Stephanie Daniels:
Wow.
Ricardo Diaz:
...and around the world.
Stephanie Daniels:
I love that. Allowing people to share how Jesus has shown up for them is really powerful. That's awesome.
Well now as you raise up volunteers around the world to serve people with disability, how do you develop that same heart in others?
Ricardo Diaz:
I think that to raise volunteers, I do believe that passion plays a crucial role. Passion is so contagious. No one really follows pessimistic, passive, or pedantic leader.
Stephanie Daniels:
Right.
Ricardo Diaz:
I mean the reason that volunteers get involved in serving either their churches, or other organizations, is because a vision has captured their minds and hearts, and they’re eagerly desire to be a part of that desired state.
I see this with our volunteers, they dream of a world with every person with a disability finds hope, dignity, and their place in the body of Christ. And to be honest Stephanie, that is not hard for me to get passionate about every single day.
Stephanie Daniels:
Right. Everybody's gotta know that they belong in the body of Christ. There is a place for you. And I just love that they like, wanna grab hold of the vision and run with you in their own area. I think that's so huge.
You talked about how you approach investing in volunteers and elevating the sense of belonging. Can you speak to that, kind of like how you do that for them?
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, absolutely. So, I am persuaded that when you think about volunteers and multiplication, it's a little bit backwards. I believe that multiplication happens when you really care about your volunteers, when you invest in them, when they really know that you care about them.
Multiplication happens because people talk and they say, "Look, this is how I feel in this location. I think you should be a part of this." But if you go about adding pressure for people to multiply themselves, I think this is just my personal view, that it's a little bit backwards.
So, the way that we decided to implement the Area Teams around the world, is to empower people, starting with our International Regional Managers and International Country Coordinators, empowering them, give them clarity, because I believe that clarity is kindness, and then from there the effect of that is gonna be evident with the volunteers. The volunteers are gonna feel what our people are feeling. Because I believe belonging, it's not so much a task that you do, it's a culture that you develop. It's an environment that you develop so that the seed called Area Teams Initiative can be planted in this soil called belonging. And by God's grace, seeing the fruit of that.
Stephanie Daniels:
So how you guys cultivate belonging is through more communication and you send out prayer devos, answer questions, you text them and you know, your personal touchpoints. But I love that. Asking, "How can I pray for you?" And just like really checking in. That is gonna foster a sense of belonging. And I think that is so important and critical.
So, if people listening are wondering, "How do I build volunteers and create that sense of belonging in our church?" There's some tips for you.
Ricardo Diaz:
Absolutely. Make sure that you are available. Make sure that, that you really care about them, and they can feel that. This is not something intellectual.
Stephanie Daniels:
Mm-hmm.
Ricardo Diaz:
So, when the people actually know that we love them, that they feel that we love them, that has a different effect in that person.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
At least that's how I like to feel when I volunteer in my church or when I volunteer in other places. I wanna be known, but also wanna, I wanna feel that I belong in this particular location. And, and what a tremendous blessing that we as believers have the freedom to do that. I mean, it's so easy for us because we have one spirit. It's easy for us to produce that belonging, at least among brothers and sisters in Christ.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah. So, Ricardo, as you're leading people all around the world, I mentioned this a second ago, but how do you facilitate trainings and develop volunteers cross-culturally? Have you run into any barriers?
Ricardo Diaz:
Yes. Yeah, I mean, it is definitely quite, quite a challenging task to do, but very fulfilling.
Early last year, Stephanie, Joni and Friends International Ministries decided to pilot the Area Teams Initiative in five countries.
Stephanie Daniels:
Mm.
Ricardo Diaz:
So, we did this thing in Peru and Nepal, Serbia, Ghana, and Brazil. Now the Area Teams is Joni and Friends's strategic plan for engaging volunteers who feel a strong desire to serve year around with us through participating in ministry planning, strategy, and implementation.
Now, the first step for the implementation of this Area Teams Initiative was to slowly onboard and train our International Country Coordinators from those countries on all things regarding Area Teams. And that was challenging because culture, language, and distance get in the way of communication. But I firmly believe that if our people caught the vision, had clarity, and were excited about this initiative, it would elevate even more how we view and partner with our volunteers making a significant change in the culture of volunteerism that we desire to continue to achieve here at Joni and Friends.
And now Stephanie, it's been a year and a month later, and we're just starting to see the fruit of that embracement and implementation of this initiative in these five countries. And I, to be honest, I, I praise God for his help and guidance for this moment in our journey.
Stephanie Daniels:
I love it. Well okay, so we have Area Team models here at Joni and Friends.
Ricardo Diaz:
Mm-hmm.
Stephanie Daniels:
And I've never explained that to our listeners. But we have them domestically and internationally. Can you explain the different areas in Area Teams, because these are roles within Area Teams that people can get involved within the ministry and so I wonder if we explain this to people, this might help somebody listening today catch the vision of what we're doing, and maybe they might say, "You know what? I love to pray. I wanna get involved. I may not be able to go participate, but I can pray." So, can you kind of explain to our listeners the different areas in Area Teams?
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, absolutely. We are so fortunate to have a strong volunteer base at Joni and Friends. We have combined, between volunteers in the U.S. and around the world, we have almost 10,000 volunteers and we're just so grateful for very passionate volunteers who love the Lord Jesus.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yes, we are.
Ricardo Diaz:
Love their churches. And then they just love serving people with disabilities. So, then the leadership decided to come up with a strategy of, “How do we engage those volunteers who are very passionate about serving the local church, and serving people living with disabilities?” And we know that the Lord provides a variety of gifts. And all these individuals have said, "Yeah, I wanna be involved in these specific teams that have a specific focus for ministry purposes."
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
So internationally, the Area Teams look like this. We have a Prayer Area Team. We have a, Ministry Relations Area Team. We have a Family Retreat Area Team. We have a Wheels for the World Area Team, and then we have a Stewardship Area Team. And we have those five because we believe that our volunteers have different passions, different gifts, different desires, experiences, that will make them just the perfect fit...
Stephanie Daniels:
Right.
Ricardo Diaz:
...for all these unique teams that help mobilize ministry, in our case in International Ministries, at different countries, in those five countries that I mentioned. So now we are having, at least internationally, we have local volunteers telling us, “These are some of the ways that we can engage uh, our countries. We can engage these particular churches."
This is how we can do the different programs that we're doing better because now we're listening and now we're really deepening our partnership with local volunteers to tell us how is the best way to continue to do disability ministry in their context.
So, it has been a tremendous change in how we engage with volunteers because now, we're not only getting a year-round partnership from them because they just love serving the Lord Jesus and our friends with disability...
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
...but now we say, "Okay, this is how we are committing ourselves and stewarding the time, and then the resources, and the experience, and the energy that you have, because we're very grateful for what you're giving us as a ministry."
And it has been something that at the beginning we were like, " Okay, Lord, how are we gonna do this?" I know that domestically, it's already operating. It has a particular focus and display. But internationally, what does it look like with different cultures? And the Lord has been so kind to, not only give us clarity on how to do and what to do, but also seeing the people's response, feeling so humbled and so happy to be considered a true partner. Because we see our volunteers as true partners.
Stephanie Daniels:
It's so beautiful. People take ownership. They feel empowered. And I love the word mobilized. They are mobilized to go do this in their communities when they have vision. I love to see people feeling like they are playing a part in a bigger mission, and they are, 'cause Joni and Friends, we wanna touch the entire world. We want everybody to realize that they have a place in the body of Christ. And so, your Area Team leaders are helping facilitate that goal. So beautiful.
Okay, I'm curious. Ricardo, in what ways have you changed since devoting yourself to serving people living with disability? Has the Gospel come to life in a different way for you?
Ricardo Diaz:
Wow, this is such a great question. I believe that by devoting myself to serving people living with disability, I have changed in becoming more compassionate. But not so much in only having more feelings or showing sympathy or concern for others as sometimes this word is defined. But in my empathy.
The more I was able to get to know individuals with disabilities, the more I realized that at the heart level, there are many similarities between us. That only the Gospel is the medicine and solution for the fear, guilt, and shame that lives deeply in the human heart. So, with disability or not, we all need to be reconciled to our Creator. And believing in the Gospel is the key to achieving such glorious reconciliation.
Stephanie Daniels:
Wow, that's deep.
Ricardo Diaz:
Also my view on what it means to be qualified for ministry effectiveness...
Stephanie Daniels:
Mm-hmm.
Ricardo Diaz:
...in the church or in the mission has also changed. Now I believe that if God has called someone to ministry, and that person fulfills the qualifications described in the pastoral epistles, a physical disability must never be a disqualifier for such individual because, and I quote, "The Lord sees not as man sees. But man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
Stephanie Daniels:
Oh, that's so beautiful. So, are you saying, really everybody is qualified?
Ricardo Diaz:
Right, because just because you have a disability, a physical, or intellectual, or developmental disability, that should not be a disqualifier if that person has to be called by the Lord Jesus to ministry and according to what the Bible says, you can clearly see that that person can be the next Timothy, or the next pastor, or the next elder, which I've seen all over the world.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah, it's so true 'cause we see it in Scripture; God can use anybody. Moses had a speech impediment, and he wanted to allow that to keep him from stepping up and being the leader he was called to be, but God said, "Who made man's mouth?" That, oh my gosh, that that just hits me between the eyes. We have no excuses.
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, and this is tough for some leaders in churches because you really have to look deeply into your own understanding of what it means to be qualified, what it means to be useful for ministry. I really have to like look clearly what God word said because I do see, and I have seen so many Timothys, and so many qualified elders, and so many qualified leaders, that they're a necessary instrument to build up the church, that are in churches but sometimes they are not seen just because a mobility device, or any other thing, gets in the way of really seeing the gifts that God has given to that individual that are so necessary for the church.
Stephanie Daniels:
Oh, my goodness. And as you're sharing, I know we featured pastors on our podcast in the past seasons that live with autism. We featured sweet Abigail Brown who is an author and she's coming back to visit us this season. She uses a communication device. And I'm telling you, in Abigail's book, there is so much truth. So, I'm like, we can't despise anybody, based off appearance, or...
Ricardo Diaz:
Right.
Stephanie Daniels:
...diagnosis, or whatever because God can work through anyone. I mean, if he can use a donkey to speak to somebody, he can use us, you know?
Ricardo Diaz:
Absolutely.
Stephanie Daniels:
So, in what ways have you witnessed the Gospel transform not just individuals, but the community and churches around you?
Ricardo Diaz:
By God's grace I've been able to see churches around the world being mobilized to evangelize, disciple, and serve people living with disability. I have seen people with disabilities preach God's word, and lead congregations and musical worship, and have positions of leadership around their churches.
I have heard, Stephanie, countless stories of nonbelievers coming to church, hearing the Gospel for the first time, and having their lives completely transformed because the church decided to love on their kids who had a disability. I believe that love is transcultural. And when the transformational power of the Gospel goes public with love for those in need, it creates questions, curiosity, and ultimately change.
Stephanie Daniels:
That is beautiful. I was reading something the other day that just was talking about us being vulnerable to share our stories, what we've been through, because that can encourage other people that might be going through something. And I just feel like when you love people, you share, you encourage them, and that can ultimately push us closer to Christ and help us keep going on our own journey. So that's so beautiful as well.
Ricardo, for churches that desire to build their volunteer base, what are some helpful tips or ways that you would encourage them? And I know you cheer for your volunteers; you really love on them. Can you share some tips?
Ricardo Diaz:
I love on them.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
I do love on our volunteers, because they're passionate. It's interesting Stephanie, 'cause you are the third person who asked me this question about like, "How do we raise volunteers? How do we do that?" In fact, I'll be speaking at a European disability network to talk about this particular topic. And I believe that a lot of people are talking about this because unfortunately we continue to notice a decline in volunteerism with the younger generation, at least in the West, for three reasons that I see.
One is of course the digital engagement over physical participation. Which is so characteristic of Gen Z.
Number two, the economic pressures that we see. So, people are like, "Should I volunteer or not? Am I really investing in my time? Why should I do that?"
Stephanie Daniels:
Mm-hmm.
Ricardo Diaz:
And there's a lot of that pressure.
And three. At least with the younger generation, there's this lack of connection or trust in institutions. Unfortunately, the media loves to highlight…
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
…when you know leaders...
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
...collapse, or trying to be provocative, or dramatic, and that just feeds into a particular perspective and worldview in the younger generation that...
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
...it just doesn't build up trust.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yes.
Ricardo Diaz:
So, because of that, I am persuaded that to build a volunteer base, at least we can do one thing. I think that that one thing is we need more passionate people. As I mentioned at the beginning of this podcast, passion is contagious. We need more passionate people to inspire others about the vision of our churches. And usually, the younger generation is known for their passion.
So, the tip that I will say is, make sure that you are reaching out and are surrounded by young, passionate leaders. That will be one thing. But then the question that comes after this statement, I'm sure some people are thinking "Okay, how do I do that?" I'm sure some parents have teenagers and they're like, "Okay, I try to engage my teenager. I'm trying to engage my college student, but I don't know how to do that."
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
And, and, and I believe that. In order to reach and inspire the younger generation, you have to get to know them. You have to spend time with them. You have to see what they see. You have to listen to the things that they care about, because Stephanie, here's the reality. The younger generation is not going to care about what you and I know as the older generation, until they know that the older generations care about them. So we have to love the younger generation.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
And don't be annoyed by them. And that's just one quick thing. I believe that the older generation must not be known for always being tired, or grumpy, or feeling that they're outdated in our churches.
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
I believe that the older generation, they must be a fixed point, an example in the eyes of the younger generation of an extravagant passion for the Lord Jesus, his church, his mission, and serving others.
In our case as Joni and Friends, the reason you can see that I'm passionate and I am, I'm passionate about our volunteers, I love them, is because we need the younger generation's passion, ideas, strategies, and understanding of technology to help us reach the 1.3 billion people around the world who are affected by a disability, many of whom have never heard the name of the Lord Jesus. We need the younger generation to be involved in our churches and certainly at Joni and Friends.
Stephanie Daniels:
Man. I'm thinking several things. A, your youth pastor heart was really showing just then, and I just am convicted, you know? Um, 'cause I...
Ricardo Diaz:
You're gonna start preaching right now.
Stephanie Daniels:
…I know. I'm like, I'm convicted 'cause I'm like, man, we were youth pastors at one point, and I feel like I just didn't even have this passion that you have. But man, like I just wanted to get on my knees right now and ask the Lord to just increase my passion for him and for people, and...
Ricardo Diaz:
Mmm.
Stephanie Daniels:
...the things that break his heart because if we don't have that, then we can't do any of this.
You have just explained so beautifully what's needed. We've gotta reach down to this generation, this upcoming generation, to just really sow into them and get to know them
Ricardo Diaz:
Yeah, I mean I heard the phrase that the Gospel is one generation away from extinction. And the same thing can be said for the people serving those who have a disability. I mean, who is gonna replace us?
Stephanie Daniels:
Yeah.
Ricardo Diaz:
Not only in proclaiming the Gospel, then training other future pastors or missionaries, but also who is gonna go to those who are disabled? It is incumbent for us as the older generation, to inspire the younger generation to continue the Gospel and serving those affected by disabilities.
Stephanie Daniels:
Lord, help us do it.
Ricardo Diaz:
Mm, amen.
Stephanie Daniels:
He's the only way. And man, you are just such an inspiration, Ricardo. Your passion is just contagious, it's inspiring, and I just pray that it falls on hungry hearts today. People that are, are looking to get involved. I feel like I need to go sign up for something and volunteer for something after talking to you today. So just a beautiful soul. Thank you so much for joining us today on the podcast.
Ricardo Diaz:
Oh, thanks so much for having me and very happy to be at Joni and Friends.
Stephanie Daniels:
We hope this conversation touched your heart today. If it did, consider sharing it with someone who might be encouraged as well. And don’t forget to follow us on your favorite podcasting app so you never miss an episode. See you next week!
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