BLOOMINGTON — The Rev. Dale Miller and his wife, Tammy, know all about what it’s like to deal with serious physical challenges.

Dale Miller, 44, pastor at Harvest Family Worship Centre in Bloomington, was paralyzed when he fell from a ladder while painting a house to make extra money in 2002.  He’s confined to a wheelchair.  Movement is limited to a couple of fingers and toes. 

But the couple has turned their negative into a positive for many thankful people.

The Millers host a 3-year-old outreach program for people with disabilities with help from two other Assembly of God churches — First Assembly of God Church in Normal and New Life Fellowship Church, rural Bloomington.

Every third Saturday of the month throughout the year, about 20 people with physical challenges and about an equal number of volunteers gather at Harvest Family Worship Centre at 712 W. Locust St. for a program called REACH, said Laurel Meade of Normal, a member at the Normal church who has a relative who attends the program.  Her pastor, the Rev. Ed Garvin has lent strong support, the Millers said.  

Garvin views REACH as “an open door” to a huge group that is underserved. 

“There are 50 million Americans with disabilities and only a small percentage of those are connected in any kind of faith community,” Garvin said. “…When people find where there is acceptance, where they belong, they will flock to that.”

The Millers’ church was remodeled to be accessible, including adding an elevator, after Dale Miller’s accident.   The Minier Assembly of God Church gave a grant to do the work so Miller could continue preaching.

An open door

Ages at REACH events range from 15 to 70. They face challenges from cerebral palsy to muscular dystrophy.  One young man copes with the results of fetal alcohol syndrome.   Some people who attend have trouble communicating. Most are members of the three churches involved. But the Millers know many churches lack a way to minister to the disabled, so anyone with similar issues is welcome.

The activities are different month to month, but follow a similar pattern across the calendar. 

Sometimes, the group heads to a park for an outing in summer. Near Easter, the focus is an egg hunt. One evening is reserved for popcorn and a movie, usually something from Disney. The theme at one recent gathering was a carnival complete with a dunk tank where a ball that strikes a target releases a latch, plunging a participant into the water. Some people, including Dale Miller, had to improvise.

“I couldn’t toss the balls,” he said. “I just turned the wheelchair around and knocked them right down.”

An ice cream social is scheduled for next month.  February’s activity is a Valentine’s Day dance — with karaoke.

There’s usually a spiritual message from either Rev. Miller or Rev. Garvin, and food is served.  Monical’s Pizza manager Tammy Rittenhouse often contributes pizza or pasta.

A dinner is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. For Christmas, REACH will host a holiday party from 4 to 6 p.m. Dec. 19. Everyone will receive gifts. Tammy Miller said they could use donations of movie DVDs, music CDs, gloves, hats, T-shirts and sports team paraphernalia. A majority of the regular attendees are Cubs fans, a fact the Millers, who are Cardinals fans, have trouble understanding. 

“We tease them they are on the wrong team,” said Tammy Miller.

Any money donated goes to last-minute gifts, or to scholarships to send people to summer camp for the disabled at Carlinville.

“This ministry is about total giving,” said Tammy Miller, who serves as REACH secretary. “It’s not taking whatsoever.”

Belief in God

Meanwhile, the Millers cope with their own challenges. Married 24 years, they are raising their three children: Kristen, 19, who is in college;  Kyle, 17; and Kody, 14. 

Recently, Dale Miller had surgery to relieve pressure that made it difficult for him to breathe.   His voice is stronger now when he preaches on Sunday, or takes part in Bible study at the church on Wednesday night.

His treatments to restore more movement have ended.

“I’m going to leave the rest up to God, of course,” he said.

But a miracle is optional. 

Tammy Miller pointed to a Biblical story about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were threatened with death by fire unless they worshiped a golden idol.  They refused and said God would still be their God even if he didn’t save them from the flames.  

“If we don’t get a miracle, he’s still our God,” Tammy Miller said.  “We’re still believing.”

Editor's note

Many years ago, a little girl wrote a New York newspaper to ask: "Does Santa Claus exist?"

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus," the editor answered. "He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists."

For more than 10 years, Pantagraph reporter Scott Richardson has written the series "In Search of Santa" to focus on people in Central Illinois who embody the true meaning behind the holiday season.

They give unselfishly and carry the holiday spirit, not for just a week or a month, but throughout the year. Perhaps it is a volunteer at your agency, church, organization or business.

If you have someone to suggest for "In Search of Santa," call (800) 747-7323, ext. 227, from outside Bloomington-Normal or 309-820-3227 and leave the following information: Name and daytime phone number; the name of the person you think should be featured; a daytime and nighttime phone number for that individual; and finally, a brief message on why you think he or she deserves to be profiled by The Pantagraph. You also can e-mail srichardson@pantagraph.com.