Joni and Friends opened the first Area Ministry office in Phoenix in 1993 under the leadership of Area Director, Gary De Velder, a committed Advisory Board, and a large number of prayerful financial supporters.
On July 1, 2007 Pam Baldwin received the leadership baton from Gary DeVelder when he assumed his new position at Joni and Friends focusing solely on his passion of equipping churches
Pam comes to Joni and Friends with a wealth of experience and and a heart for disability ministry. Eight years ago, in her home church, Pam envisioned and began what has now become the cornerstone for their outreach ministry. Pam has worked with Arizona Rehabilitation Services Administration for 24 years to improve services for those whose lives are affected by disability.
Pam served on the local board of ministry development for Joni and Friends Greater Phoenix and is the Coordinator for the Through the Roof Training Academy. She comes with great ideas and great energy after years of looking to God for how He was going to use all of her many skills and experiences related to disability. She says "This is my dream job".
We thank God for Pam and are excited about how God will use her to bless this ministry and further His Kingdom.
Our vision is found in Luke 14 where followers of Jesus Christ are told to “go out quickly and compel the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind to come in to God’s house.” Our mission is to equip local churches to follow this mandate and then encourage them to spread that passion to other churches around the world.
The office is located near 101 and McDowell in a skilled nursing facility where we are free to minister directly to the disability community. Our staff is ready to train churches in all aspects of disability awareness and service.
Advisory Board
Wally Larson, Chairman
Erik Jensen, Treasurer
Susie Marr, Secretary
Bob and Sheila Downey
Susan French
Ross and Joan Porter
Brad Routh
Nanette Bowles |
