Joseph A. Garcia / Star staff Chip Kingery, director of international field services for Joni and Friends International Disability Center, talks about the work done since moving to Agoura Hills.

Photo courtesy Joni and Friends International Disability Center An undated photo of Joni E. Tada displays her painting ability. During two years of rehabilitation from a diving accident in 1967 Tada learned how to paint with a brush between her teeth.

With its move 14 months ago into new headquarters in Agoura Hills, the Joni and Friends International Disability Center harbored ambitious plans to launch or expand several of its Christian-based initiatives.

Its leaders are pointing to progress on a number of fronts, including more field ministries and international partners, a new weekly television show and a new Christian Institute on Disability.

"There's hardly anyone I meet who doesn't know someone who is disabled," said Kathy McReynolds, a bio-ethicist who holds a doctorate degree and teaches a ground-breaking course at the institute. "Over 650 million people worldwide live with a disability — roughly 10 percent of the world's population — which makes this segment one of the world's largest under-represented groups."

The organization's founder, Joni Eareckson Tada, 57, became a quadriplegic at age 17 after a diving accident.

She struggled to answer "Why me?" and found meaning in a drastically-altered life — a journey she has chronicled in dozens of books, including the best-selling autobiography "Joni," on television shows such as CNN's "Larry King Live," and in a feature film, "Joni," in which she played herself.

Her role of helping those with disabilities started decades ago at her home, and she outgrew various offices. Last year, the award-winning facility — which she called a "miracle" and God's answer to prayers — opened its doors as supporters from abroad and locally toured its offices, kitchen and a recording studio.

Some say it is ironic that her Christian-based ministry is better known in other parts of the world than in her own backyard. Earlier this month, a delegation from Thailand — people who help Tada's organization distribute wheelchairs there — visited.

One of the activities of her organization is International Field Services, a ministry overseen by Chip Kingery of Simi Valley.

"This is evolving so fast we can't keep up with it," Kingery said as he escorted a visitor into the new building at 30009 Ladyface Court.

There is an elevator in the building, which features a two-story atrium with a wheelchair ramp starting on the ground floor at the reflecting pool, then climbing gracefully in several tiers to reach the second floor.

Stopping at the chapel, Kingery spoke about the center's outreach, saying, "We're overwhelmed in a good way."

Kingery said the organization has expanded in other countries by affiliating with like-minded ministries that "are committed to heightening disability awareness within the church and community" and helping "equip and train leaders to carry out" a disability ministry.

The International Field Services Department was established in late 2005, but in the new building "we've really gotten going," Kingery said, gesturing to a world map with flags pinpointing locations of partners.

"In fact, there are more flags to enter, when I have time," he said.

Not all requests for aid come from regions heavy with poverty, Kingery said. Some are from prosperous countries such as New Zealand.

The organization's new Christian Institute on Disability was envisioned in 1982 by Tada but became a reality only within the past 14 months.

Headed by managing director Steve Bundy of Glendora, the institute "aggressively promotes a Christ-centered, Biblical approach that protects human dignity and the sanctity of all human life, no matter what the disability condition," states the organization's Web site.

One arm of the institute is a Public Policy Center, which is assembling theologians, ethicists and others to "shape culture" through position papers, research and debates, said Kathy McReynolds, the policy center's director. Another arm of the institute promotes education and training, and is overseen by Bundy.

For the institute, McReynolds is teaching a course, "Foundations: Christian Perspectives on Disability Ministry," which she calls the first in the nation. "No one else is doing this, and this is ground-breaking work."

Steve Appel, communications director for Joni and Friends, said, "We really are tackling the theory of pain and suffering, which is a very new concept in the realm of Christianity and disability."

The issue of disability is underappreciated, McReynolds said.

"Truth be told, the church is also largely unprepared for the burgeoning disabled. Historically, the church has marginalized people with disabilities," McReynolds said. "Currently, church involvement in disability ministry is less than 12 percent."

A primary course goal is to begin to address the issue by preparing people to become more involved in this ministry, McReynolds said.

Lori Lucore of Moorpark, the mother of nine children, is among those who enrolled in the course.

Years ago, she said, she thought she wanted "Barbie and Ken kids." But that was before the arrival of daughter Violet, now 12, who dances and plays the piano.

"When Violet was born with Down syndrome, I thought it was a tragedy, but it became the biggest healing and uniting blessing to our family," Lucore said. "It built the character of all her siblings, who were taught not to compete but to lift up."

The Rev. Kirk DeWitt of Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village called Joni and Friends a "premier" organization.

"They are one of the best in the country working with a special population," DeWitt said. "They do a good job of showing how to best care for needs of the disabled, and be friends."