In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Joni and Friends this year, the ministry’s founder and CEO, Joni Eareckson Tada, unveiled a new ministry logo last week.
Designed in-house, the new global logo is a visual representation of the mission of the organization: to communicate the Gospel and equip Christ-honoring churches worldwide to evangelize and disciple people affected by disability.
“I never want Joni and Friends to be centered on me and my work; it’s about our mission together, all the ‘friends’ we serve, and the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Tada in a press release. “As we celebrate our 40-year milestone, Joni and Friends is also entering a new era of global ministry… I am excited to introduce this new logo that represents our mission and the people we serve.”
Tada, who was left a quadriplegic after a diving accident at the age of 17, founded Joni and Friends in 1979. Ministry began as Tada, joined by friends around her kitchen table, responded to letters she received from people with disabilities in search of support.
Over the past 40 years, the ministry has grown to serve thousands of people impacted by disability worldwide. Joni and Friends has delivered 150,000 wheelchairs and Bibles through Wheels for the World and provided Christian care to 63,000 special needs family members through Family Retreats. The organization also equips individuals and churches with disability ministry training and provides higher education courses through the Christian Institute on Disability.
“The redesigned logo is a fresh new look for Joni and Friends as we head into the future,” said Tada. “I am so grateful to God and to all of our ministry friends for bringing us to this milestone 40th anniversary. With this new look, we will continue our important work of sharing the Gospel for decades to come. It’s all about filling God’s house with the world’s oft-neglected, friends around the world with disabilities!”
More information about the anniversary and logo, including graphics and videos, can be found at www.joniandfriends.org/logo.
Tada, a longtime member of NRB, is scheduled to lead a special hymn sing during the Worship Service that will take place Thursday, March 28, at Proclaim 19, the NRB International Christian Media Convention in Anaheim, California. In 2002, Tada received NRB’s William Ward Ayer Award for Distinguished Service. And in 2012, NRB inducted Tada into its Hall of Fame.
