Part of my Mission.

JM Kraemer
Jun 3
3 min read

Season 18 display at Mt. Zion in Flushing, MI

The mission of The Lego Church Project is to show that no matter what challenge or disability you face, God, can still use your talents. Often in amazing and creative ways. I have a mild form of cerebral palsy and this is a mission I live.

I’m not even sure how many times over the years I’ve said some variation of that statement above. In the interviews I’ve done. Or I’ve said to people I’ve run into when I’m out and about. With many times pulling out my phone to show the various pictures I keep on hand of my work. Showing the point I’m trying to make. That no matter what we face. God can do some amazing things in our lives. If we are willing to allow Him to work though us.

The mission that I have is extremely important to me. Given the current climate in our society this should not be a surprise. Those with disabilities and other challenges in life are not always held in the highest value in our world. Many times, people feel that we are suffering needlessly. Or not adding anything meaningful in terms of value or production to the world at large. Critics are often attacking programs that many of us rely on to live semi-independent lives. With many in governments way too eager to cut or reduce funding to those programs. Making it hard for them to exist. The ones who are able are often times dictating how those with disabilities should live. With no real consideration to how we feel. Let alone coming close to understanding what our needs truly are.

As it relates to the church. It’s that kind of pressure from our society that makes us sometimes feel that we have no real place. Making our walk with Christ that much more difficult. Sometimes we just do not understand the role we have in society. Let alone a role in the life of the church. Even here, in a place that we should feel welcome, that is not always the case. Though to be fair, sometimes it is less about any outright malice against those with disabilities. Rather it is mainly due to a lack of proper understanding of what it means to live with a disability.

This is the reason why The Project becomes important. It has the chance to be a tool of education that show people like me, who has a disability, that we can do something with the talents God has given us. Using my work as the starting point. I’m able to reach out to the younger generations. To show that those with disabilities have a life and a place in our parishes. To remind the adults that mercy and compassion should be the best path moving forward. Instead of making broad, and sometimes, inaccurate assumptions of it means to live with a disability.

By putting this focus on using our talents that God has given us, it is my hope, that I can open doors to conversations. Bringing light to the issues that we face. Doing so in a way that does not cause conflict. Rather it comes across in a way that is charitable and considerate to the needs at hand. As well as giving hope to those who may be dealing with challenges or disabilities of their own. Trying to find a role in the life of church. -