New partnership seeks to increase assistance, resources to the visually impaired.
Christian Record Services for the Blind, in collaboration with Adventist Special Needs Ministries, publicly announced their joint endeavor to provide resources to individuals with visual impairment in church regions outside North America. The announcement was made at the Seventh-day Adventist Church Annual Council in Battle Creek, Michigan, United States, on October 17, 2018.
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church believes that people who are blind and those with low vision not only need to be reached with the gospel but also empowered to use the spiritual gifts God has given them,” said Larry Evans, director of Special Needs Ministries at the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.
Diane Thurber, president of Christian Record Services, Inc., said she welcomed the new partnership. “We are delighted to be working with Larry Evans and the network of Special Needs Ministries leaders to share the blessed hope to all people,” she told the audience of church leaders and lay delegates from around the world.
Through this partnership, regional church leaders can select services for their members, including free access to Christian Record’s online library of titles in several formats, such as audio streaming, large electronic print, and refreshable braille. Christian Record Services for the Blind serves members who are legally blind.
Two additional service options with further products are available to members using a fee scale based on the number of members served. The cost of the additional service options and products has been significantly discounted to contribute to the development and growth of ministry to people who are blind in church regions outside North America. The cost is borne by the local church administrative region, and all resources are provided without cost to the member.
Service option one provides the English and Spanish Adult Bible Study Guide in braille or audio format. Option two provides members the choice of subscriptions to magazines in audio, braille, and large print.
Church regions may order additional products in bulk, such as the many books available in both large print and braille; Bibles; and the Seventh-day Adventist Hymnal. Christian Record is able to facilitate translation from text to braille in some languages. Costs vary, based on the project. Church region service agreements will renew annually.
Special Needs Ministries and Christian Record Services, Inc.
Special Needs Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church seeks to inspire, equip, and mobilize those who are differently abled to serve God and community as expressed in the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s mission statement. Special Needs Ministries is based at the General Conference offices in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States.
Christian Record Services, Inc., DBA Christian Record Services for the Blind and National Camps for Blind Children, is a ministry that empowers people who are blind to engage their community and embrace the blessed hope. The non-profit organization was founded in 1899 and is headquartered in Lincoln, Nebraska, United States.
