• Is Interdenominational
• Reaches out to people with disabilities, and other people, of all ages
• Seeks a 50/50 ratio of people with disabilities to able-bodied

Our Vision Statement:

• “To see all people, especially people with a disability living out their full potential in Jesus Christ, through the local church and community.”

Trust Scripture

• “ Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
  1 Samuel 16:7a

Statement of Faith:
We believe

• The Bible is the true inspired Word of God.
• In the one true God, eternally existent in three persons, Father, Son, and
  Holy Spirit.
• In Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, born of a virgin, wholived a sinless
  life, was crucified, died and was buried, and rose again on the third day. He ascended to heaven, and is coming again to judge the world.
• That all have sinned and need to repent, be born again and cleansed from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, so as to inherit eternal life in heaven.
• In the person and work of the Holy Spirit to empower believers to live a
  Christ-like life.

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Ministries:
Christian Fellowship For Disabled

• Mainly for people with physical disabilities
• Many branches nationwide
• Some branches internationally, the Philippines, and Malawi
• Committees run events, which include regional camps and a
  variety of Christ centred activities for people with disabilities
• Some Branches produce their own newsletter, and/ or supplement in “The Encourager”.
  Joy Ministries
• Mainly for people with Intellectual disabilities
• Have meetings, church services, cell groups and camps
• Produce own newsletter
  Emmanuel Support
• A support group for families who have children with disabilities
• Have meetings, for the whole family
• Retreats for husbands and wives
• A newsletter is circulated regularly
  Torch Outreach
• For people who are blind or visually impaired
• Meetings every three months
• Christian material available on tapes-books, teaching, music, the
  Bible and "Every Day with Jesus".Small library of Braille and
  big print books
  Carers Fellowship
• A support group for people who care for people with disabilities,
  especially family members. Have occasional meetings and
  produce regular newsletter

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The Trustees of the Christian Ministries with Disabled Trust

David Senior
David is the new Chairman, is blind, and along with his wife Phillipa has had a long association with the Trust right from the very early days. He was earlier on the National CFFD Board, before moving to Kaitaia, where he is involved in leadership in a number of groups that work in the sector of disabilities.

Hugh & Di Willis
Hugh has been involved with the work of the Trust from its inception. Hugh is a trained teacher, and was Head of Mathematics at Westlake Boys High School for 15 years, he retired from teaching in 1995, and now spends at least one day a week working at the Centre on the Trust finances as well as many hours at home on the Trust’s magazine “the Encourager” of which he has been Editor for nearly 30 years, and he was also the National Chairperson of the Trust for 22 years, until the recent Governance changes. In charge of the literature side of the Trust, he’s produced 5 books and numerous educational booklets concerning helping people with disabilities. Outside of the Trust, Hugh has developed an extensive network of walking tracks (some accessible) in the Awaruku reserve, he is a keen Sudoku player, and also enjoys listening to sports, especially cricket.

Di Willis,
Di along with her husband Hugh, and Margie Willers were the founders of the ministry. She works full time for the Trust as Ministries Director, in a voluntary capacity. Di is also heavily involved at the Drop in Centre. She organises teams taking Disability Awareness services in churches of all denomination, runs seminars, and speaks to schools, Bible Colleges and women’s groups, and also supervises the many students who come to the Trust to do their practical work. Di also coordinates the planning of the National Camp, held each year at Labour Weekend, which attracts around 400 people. Di is a trained Occupational Therapist, having previously worked at the Otara Spinal Unit, and other places before commencing work for the Trust. Outside of the Trust work, Di enjoys reading, board games, and cross stitch, and especially spending time with her extended family.

Debbie Mudgway
Debbie has been on the Trust since 2000, and brings experience from her work in the disability sector, where she works for the Ripple Trust as a Project Support Coordinator. As well as bringing the perspective of a younger person. Previously Debbie has worked for CCS in the Hawkes Bay, and is a graduate of Lifeway Bible College in Warkworth. Debbie is married to Nathan, and currently they have two cats, and a dog. Debbie is a disabled person, and uses a wheelchair. Debbie has lived an ordinary life, despite her impairments.

David Burge
David met his wife Tarnya through CFFD. Together they home school their eight children. David, who was born with cerebral palsy, currently serves as Pastor of the Takanini Church of Christ (since 1998) and works alongside various Advent Christian Churches. He is a graduate of Auckland University (MCom) and BCNZ (BD) and has been a guest lecturer at various Bible Colleges in New Zealand and at the Oro Bible College in the Philippines. As well as his work among the churches David works for Renaissance Group as a Supported Living Facilitator helping people with disabilities live independently in the community. In his spare time he reads historical fiction, watches movies and plays chess.

James Arkwright
James works at Bethlehem Tertiary Institute in Tauranga, is originally from a farming
background, but his career changed as a result of a spinal cord accident, and for the last fifteen years he has been involved in counselling and counsellor education. He is married to Sherilene, and they have two young children.

Nick Abplanalp
Nick is an owner and director of one of New Zealand’s largest privately-owned I.T.
companies. He first attended our National Camp back in 1999, and was immediately "sold" on our ministry. Nick is married to Mary Anne, and they have one daughter, Amelia, who is a student at Auckland University.

Alan Pace
Alan does analytical work for large businesses. He first got introduced to the work of the CMWDT in 1992. As people shared their stories he saw how their trials had refined life to its core elements and faith in Christ had come shining through. He also met his wife, Kathie, through CFFD and they have two children, Elizabeth and Caleb. Prior to working in the corporate world, Alan invested his time with Campus Crusade for Christ, a movement focussed on evangelism and discipleship..

Spiritual Advisors

The role of the Spiritual Advisors is to give Spiritual oversight to the Trust, prayer support, crisis support, and general advice.

Pastor Geoff Wiklund
Geoff has been involved with the ministry now since 1985. He Pastors a Church in Mt Eden and ministers to a large number of disabled people. As well as being a Spiritual Advisor for the Trust, Geoff uses the spiritual gifts that God has given him to assist the Trust in achieving its goals in God. He is also the National Camp Pastor and attends this each year with his wife Joanne. Geoff & Joanne have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. Geoff enjoys reading God's Word, and learning from Him, playing guitar, he also enjoys sports - especially basketball, and they also enjoy square dancing.

Pastor John Shipman
Profile coming soon

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