Exceptional Ministry: A Conversation With Keith Dow
I met Keith Dow when I spoke at a family retreat. While I found his background in philosophy interesting, I was even more interested in his work with Christian Horizons. As a father of two children with autism, I love to hear about how Christians are ministering to and with those with exceptional needs. I am thankful to Keith for answering these questions.
Could you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to faith?
As first a Missionary Kid (MK) born in Brazzaville, Congo and then a Pastor’s Kid (PK) in various towns across Ontario, my spiritual journey through denominations very much mirrored my physical journeys. I didn’t have a significant ‘conversion experience’ as I grew up trusting first my parents that God was real and then in Christ that he was who he claims to be. That being said, I never really felt at home in a particular denomination’s view of God until arriving at the Meeting House, a Brethren in Christ Anbaptist church focusing on community, compassion, and peace.
Could you tell us about what Christian Horizons and the type of services it provides?
Christian Horizons is a non-profit, faith-based organization serving the person with exceptional needs in Canada and around the world. We were founded back in 1965, when we started out as a Christian camping ministry for families impacted by disability, and have since grown to become the largest provider of developmental services in Ontario, where we have 3400 employees supporting nearly 1500 people with developmental disabilities and their families.
We often use the phrase “exceptional needs,” because in our work around the world through CH Global, we support people with a wide variety of needs in diverse circumstances. If people with disabilities often find themselves marginalized in Canadian society, you can imagine how much more so in countries that don’t commit to upholding human rights.
Your current role is that of Manager of Pastoral Ministries at Christian Horizons. What exactly do you do?
Good question! It’s an always-changing, expanding role that keeps me on my toes. Not only are we involved in articulating and developing the role of the faith roots of Christian Horizons in organizational culture, but as part of the pastoral team I’m really excited about our Vision, where “people with exceptional needs belong to communities in which their God-given gifts are valued and respected.” A big part of my work with the Christian community is to look at how we can really welcome people with exceptional needs into our services and our lives, and in turn be blessed by the gifts and abilities they share with us.
What thinkers have influenced you the most and how?
My background is in philosophy, and I’m currently working toward my PhD on ethics and disability from a theological perspective, so I have encountered many thinkers through the years. The one who has impacted me the most, though, is the 19th Century Danish philosopher and theologian Søren Kierkegaard, who uses profound philosophical movements to remind us that thought that remains in the clouds is pretty useless down here on earth. Many of his thoughts reflect James 2:17; “faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” It was partly his impact that led me to Christian Horizons over eight years ago, when I realized that my studies needed to be accompanied by practical ministry.
How well do you think the Church is doing at ministering to families with disabilities?
We know that there are significant needs that remain to be met in terms of community and friendship with people with exceptional needs and their families. I believe that the Church has a tremendous calling to welcome and embrace people who have perhaps been marginalized by society, just as Jesus did in his interactions here on earth. We don’t need to have special training or feel as though we’re ‘experts.’ When you get to know someone, you can’t help but get to know their own particular needs as well as the incredible gifts that they have to offer. Whenever we talk about ‘the Church’ though, the tendency can be to say “Yeah, the Church isn’t doing a very good job at…” which can be a way of distancing ourselves from the Church. Switching the question to “how am I doing at welcoming families impacted by disability?” may be how we really start to see change happen in the Church.
What has been your most rewarding experience in this role?
Each year, Christian Horizons runs a retreat for families impacted by disability. It’s a week where they are fully supported to enjoy a vacation together as a family – a rare opportunity with incredible impact. This past year I had the honour of conducting a three-day workshop with parents and caregivers of children or siblings with disabilities. To have the opportunity to hear from them, this brief window into their lives and the devotion they have for their loved ones, and to see their dedication and resilience through odds that have seemed insurmountable was a transformative experience for me – one that I’ll never forget. I would encourage anyone who would be interested in volunteering at the camp, or churches looking to sponsor families or volunteers, to visit our website at www.christian-horizons.org.
Thanks Keith.
You can keep in touch with Keith on Twitter at @keidow and on the Faith and Disability Forum.
