Matthew's Ministry

Doctors told a young mother that her unborn child's life was Not Worth Saving. With the determination that mother found through faith, Matthew thrived, and he did live. He spoke without talking; he loved, laughed, and made friends-all without ever saying a single word. Matthew was a light and a joy to those who encountered him. In Not Worth Saving, Ann Joyner shares the story of her son Matthew's twenty-one miraculous and grace-filled years-and, unwittingly, reveals so much more about the number of lives and hearts Matthew changed, simply by being alive.

Doctors told a young mother that her unborn child’s life was Not Worth Saving. With the determination that mother found through faith, Matthew thrived, and he did live. He spoke without talking; he loved, laughed, and made friends—all without ever saying a single word. Matthew was a light and a joy to those who encountered him. In Not Worth Saving, Ann Joyner shares the story of her son Matthew’s twenty-one miraculous and grace-filled years—and, unwittingly, reveals so much more about the number of lives and hearts Matthew changed, simply by being alive.

Matthew is featured in the bottom right side of the Resurrection Stained Glass Window in the sanctuary at the Leawood Location. Matthew Joyner is the only Resurrection member depicted in the window. Though he never spoke a word due to a chromosomal condition, Matthew’s life was a catalyst for the development of Matthew’s Ministry. Matthew’s Ministry is an outreach and support ministry for persons of all ages with special needs and their families. Our blood drive also started because of Matthew’s life. Matthew has passed away and is pictured doing something he was not able to do in his 21 years on Earth: reading a book to a local girl from one of our partner schools in Kansas City.

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