In this deeply personal and hope-filled episode of Disability and Faith- Invited In with Christine Boyle, Christine welcomes her dear friend and mentor, Betsy Stretar, for a powerful conversation about God’s redemption and the beauty of spiritual friendship.

Years ago, Betsy—herself once a teen mom—walked beside Christine during one of the most vulnerable seasons of her life—as a teen mom searching for purpose and hope. Together, they revisit that journey of faith, resilience, and transformation, sharing how God wove their stories together through Young Life’s ministry for teen moms, YoungLives.

With honesty and tenderness, Christine and Betsy reflect on life-changing moments, including the joy of Christine’s daughter Courteney’s birth and the heartbreak of her passing. Through it all, they reveal how God’s love turned pain into purpose—and how mentorship rooted in compassion can change generations.

You’ll be inspired by their friendship, moved by their faith, and reminded that no story is beyond God’s redeeming grace. Tune in and discover how His promise of “a hope and a future” still holds true for every heart.

To give to the incredible ministry of YoungLives: www.giving.younglife.org/younglives

In this heartfelt episode of Disability and Faith, Christine Boyle opens up about closing one beautiful chapter and stepping boldly into another. After eight incredible years serving with Young Life, Christine reflects on how this ministry—especially Young Life Capernaum, which reaches teens with disabilities—deeply shaped her life, her faith, and her family.

From the moment she first encountered Young Life to her powerful testimony of encountering Christ at an abortion clinic, Christine shares candidly about the joys, challenges, and moments that changed everything. As she announces her transition from Young Life to founding the Invited In Disability Ministry, she casts a compelling vision for what’s next: creating spaces of belonging for adults with disabilities and equipping churches to be faith communities that accurately reflect God's heart for people with disabilities and their families.

With passion and gratitude, Christine invites listeners to be part of this new beginning—through prayer, volunteering, and financial support—to help ensure that every person with a disability knows they are seen, valued, and fully invited in.

You are Invited In!

www.invitedin.org

www.younglife.org

In this episode, I share an honest story from a recent Content Creators Expo (CEX) in Cleveland, where I was asked again and again: “So, what do you do?”

I would explain that I’m a podcaster who discusses disability and faith, and the Executive Director of a nonprofit disability ministry here in Cleveland. Those conversations opened the door for me to share not only what we do, but also the sobering statistics about disability and the Church—families leaving, churches doing little or nothing intentionally, and the urgent need for change.

What surprised me most was the puzzled reaction and hard questions that I received—especially from non-Christians. In the world, accessibility is becoming expected and essential. Yet in too many churches, disability ministry is still seen as optional. These people whom I spoke with about this just couldn't understand why the Church is so far behind and not doing more. I began to realize that our failure to the disability community extends even further beyond the disability community. Skeptical non-Christians become even more skeptical when they hear stories of an entire people group having to advocate for a meaningful presence within the Church. They simply don't get it. And that's a good thing! As Christians, we shouldn't get it either. Too often, we remain complicit, defending the Church at any cost, rather than defending those whom Jesus defended, cared for, and made space for at the table.

In this episode, I dive into that tension, talk about why we founded the Invited In Church Network to equip churches to become communities of true belonging, and wrestle with the hard truth that we often spend more energy trying to convince the Church to be missional toward the disability community when our efforts should be going toward being missional to a lost world.

You are Invited In!

Today we celebrated that 25 years ago, on August 16, 2000, I met Christ in this abortion clinic, Preterm Cleveland! God intervened, Courteney's life was saved, and my soul was saved! I am forever thankful to God for pursuing me, showing up in my darkest moment, and using His kindness to lead me to true repentance. Courteney was set apart for good works...made on purpose and for a purpose. What a perfect and great God we serve and love!

Today was interesting to say the least, as we encountered such darkness from the abortion clinic workers....making sexual gestures as I recorded, blaring music to drown out my voice, calling the police, and taking pictures and recording us as we loaded into our car and drove away. This was a first for us. But Satan knew....Satan knew the story that was being declared: the hope, the triumph, the victory, and Jesus. So it was a privilege to encounter such persecution. Bring it! God prevailed!

After a whirlwind of life, ministry, and miracles, I’m back behind the mic, and I’ve got stories to tell. In this heartfelt episode, I'm Still Here, I’m catching you up on the last four months that have been nothing short of incredible. From speaking engagements to travel adventures, disability ministry milestones to powerful moments of connection — it’s been busy, beautiful, and a little bit crazy (to say the least!).

Whether you’re a disability parent, a fellow advocate, a faith-filled friend, or someone just trying to keep going — this episode is for you. It’s a reminder that even when life feels like a blur, we’re still standing. Still showing up. Still here.

I’ll share highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and encouragement for those of you who feel like you’ve been running on empty. God’s been moving, and I want you to hear about it.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What I’ve been up to since the last episode — and why the silence was actually sacred
• Stories from the road: speaking, advocating, connecting
• Beautiful moments of belonging in disability ministry
• A few vulnerable confessions (because life is real)
• And a whole lot of gratitude

If you’ve ever felt like life has swept you up and you don’t know where to begin again — press play. This is your invitation to breathe, smile, and be reminded that God is not done yet.

In this enlightening episode, we dive into the critical issue of disability and voting with Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and ADA Coordinator Brett Harbage. Discover the remarkable efforts being made to ensure accessible voting for all, hear inspiring personal stories, and learn about the extensive accommodations available to voters with disabilities. We also discuss the process of starting nonprofits and businesses in Ohio.

Resources Referenced:

Secretary of State Office # - 877-SOS-OHIO

Secretary of State Website - www.OhioSOS.gov

To Register to Vote in Ohio: www.VoteOhio.gov

Youtube Video of Kevin Boyle being Honored in Congress!!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=raFd4IadayE

In this episode, Christine is joined in Studio Court by her husband, Dan, and their best friends Nancy and Curtis Carnes. Nancy and Curtis have been long-time dear friends of the Boyle family and they are also the Godparents to Christine and Dan's kids, Courteney and Kevin.

Recording just days prior to the 3 year anniversary of Courteney Boyle's passing, these four close friends reminisce about Courteney's extraordinary life, and they ask the big question of who is really whole and who needs wholeness?

This episode reminds us how God promises to do His best and most powerful work in the lives of the weak, the broken, the humble and those who the world often overlooks.

You are Invited In!

In this episode, Christine is joined by her dear friend, co-worker, and fellow disability parent, Brad Mowry. Together they share raw and authentic perspectives on the topic of "Chronic Sorrow." Chronic sorrow is  a pervasive loss that comes in waves over time regarding the loss that happens at stages throughout life and milestones missed for the disabled child and parent. 

Brad and Christine are both long-term caregivers to adult children with disabilities and have almost 50 years of combined experience on this journey and this topic.

You are Invited In!

Night to Shine proms are just around the corner! On February 7, 2025, hundreds of churches worldwide will host Night to Shine proms. These proms are good if they lead to fruitful ministry with and alongside people with disabilities and to make disciples of people with disabilities.

Christine dives deep into how families affected by disability need so much more than just a prom, a one-night event. She shares the deep longing that people with disabilities and their families have to belong, to be known, to be invested in, to be in community, and to be needed in the local church. She gives practical solutions to churches on how they can accomplish this before and after Night to Shine.

You are Invited In!

Referenced In Episode:

The 5 Stages: https://www.wheaton.edu/wheaton-center-for-faith-and-disability/disability-foundations/stages-of-attitudes/

Tim Tebow Foundation - Night to Shine: https://timtebowfoundation.org/night-to-shine/

Dr. Erik Carter, the Luther Sweet Endowed Chair in Disabilities at Baylor University and Executive Director of the Baylor Center on Developmental Disabilities, joins Christine on this episode of Invited In.

Dr. Carter is well known for his research on the intersection between disability and faith. He often teaches and speaks about the 10 dimensions of belonging and what that practically looks like in the life of someone with a disability and their family.

He has co-authored seven books and written over 300 journal articles, chapters and other publications.

Christine and Erik discuss many topics under the overarching theme of belonging.

You are Invited In!

www.erikcarter.com

YouTube Video referenced:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRZHwj6CarM&t=1802s