2012 Marshall Hudson Summer Conference

June 15-16, 2012

South Hamilton, MA

Featured Speaker: Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni Eareckson Tada, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities.

A diving accident in 1967 left Joni Eareckson, then 17, a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, unable to use her hands.  After two years of rehabilitation, she emerged with new skills and a fresh determination to help others in similar situations.  During her rehabilitation, Joni spent long months learning how to paint with a brush between her teeth.  Her high-detail fine art paintings and prints are highly sought-after.  Her best-selling autobiography "Joni" and the feature film of the same name have been translated into many languages, introducing her to people around the world.  She also has visited more than 45 countries.

Joni and Friends International Disability Center was founded in 1979 as she and her friends responded to the many questions and needs pouring in from families affected by disability who had read Joni's books or had seen the movie of her life.  Beginning in 1982, she hosted "Joni and Friends," a daily five-minute radio program of information and inspiration.  Now four minutes in length, the program airs on more than 1,000 outlets and reaches 1 million listeners each week.  The 30-minute television version of "Joni and Friends" looks at people who inspire Joni by enduring the most difficult trials while continuing to trust in God.

In June of 2010, Joni was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer.  Having undergone surgery and chemotherapy, she remains committed to invest her energies and efforts in kingdom building intiatives around the globe.  She has been interviewed or featured on TV shows such as 'Larry King Live" and "ABC World News Tonight," in print outlets such as Christinity Today, the Chicago Tribune and the Los Angeles Times and on radio shows such as "Focus on the Family".

Joni and her husband, Ken Tada, have been married since 1982.

For more on Joni Eareckson Tada, visit the Joni and Friends International Disability Center website.

Marshall A. Hudson founded the World Wide Baraca Philathea Bible Union in 1896.  This parachurch organization was designed to develop greater knowledge and practical application of Scripture in young men and women.  This conference is dedicated in Hudson's honor to the continual development of strong Christian leaders.