Serving as a resource for those interested in creating a new social fabric that bridges the gap between people with and without disabilities, my website, 'The Open Weave,' features a collection of my essays, presentations, sermons, and more.
“Humans do not passively represent God’s image but actively image God back into the open weave of creation.”
— Gregg Okesson
Andrew Oliver is the founder and director of Do For One, an innovative organization dedicated to improving the lives of isolated and disabled people through the power of relationships. For nearly 20 years, Andrew has assisted people with developmental disabilities in finding a sense of belonging in their communities.
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Invitations of Jesus
In the gospels, no matter what Jesus is doing or teaching, the message is relevant and different for each person, yet the common thread is one thing: he points not so much to the action steps, the ministry he started, or even the results. Everywhere he goes and everyone he interacts with, his invitation ultimately points to the same thing: himself.
God’s Call. Our Response.
Have you ever been to a conference or any other special gathering where you felt spiritually uplifted after encountering God or have you ever had an epiphany while listening to the perfect song at just the right moment, only for that feeling to fade away when life's usual pace catches up with you?
Similarly, when God calls us toward a greater work, we can experience an emotional high but then soon after, we can expect to face distractions and discouragements that tempt us to abandon the path He has set before us.
‘Fire Through Dry Grass’ exposes deathmaking and quickens the creative soul
When New York City faced a shortage of hospital beds for treating COVID patients, Mayor De Blasio declared Coler Hospital, a nursing home accommodating over 500 individuals on the north end of Roosevelt Island, to be 'empty.'
Among these overlooked residents are the Reality Poets, a group of disabled artists
How To Start A Citizen Advocacy Program
In February 2022, I was invited to participate in a panel discussing how to initiate a Citizen Advocacy Program. I presented an overview of the five phases of launching Do For One NYC and five encouraging thoughts for those keen on initiating a Citizen Advocacy program within their community.
Your Top Three Responses To "A Voice Of One Calling"
Here are my reflections on your top three responses to “A Voice Of One Calling.”
A Voice Of One Calling
In this article, I offer seven reasons (or seven "signs") we should be talking about disability and the church right now. I hope this article will spark a conversation I am eager to have with you.
10 Bible Verses About Disability
Here are 10 Bible verses (NIV translation), of many, that shape my understanding of ministry with and for people with disabilities.
Valuable Lives In The Shadow Of COVID
When I observe the smearing of facts and the lack of care available at Coler during the COVID-19 crisis, I think of the many faces I know who call Coler their home. We must ask ourselves, “how do we measure the value of a life?”