Field Associates

ADN Field Associates are professionals and people with lived experience with disabilities. Associates volunteer from their home location in partnership with ADN on program areas that contribute to ADN’s mission. Contact the ADN office to connect with any of our Field Associates.

	Katherine Dickson Kathy lives in Bluffton, Ohio, where she attends First Mennonite Church of Bluffton. Kathy has a Masters of Divinity degree from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Her interests include the theology of disability and the gifts that people with disabilities bring to the body of Christ. She is Director of Vocational Discernment and Community Engagement for Methodist Theological School in Delaware, Ohio.
	Keith Dow Keith lives near Ottawa, Ontario (Canada) where he works as Manager of Organizational and Spiritual Life with Christian Horizons, a faith-based organization serving people with intellectual disabilities in Canada and around the world. He is the author of Formed Together: Mystery, Narrative, and Virtue in Christian Caregiving, which arose from his PhD in theological ethics through Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Keith is a credentialed pastor with BIC Canada and serves on the core council of the Institute of Theology and Disability. He loves to talk about theology, fostering belonging in church communities, and making maple syrup.
	Deborah Ruth Ferber Originally from Ontario, Canada, Debz lives in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan where she is taking her final advanced unit of CPE to become a hospital chaplain. Before Debz's chaplaincy work, she served in church ministry, supported those with addictions and mental wellness issues, and worked extensively with the Indigenous communities in Canada. Debz has a passion for disability ministry, acting as a live-in assistant in L'Arche for nearly a decade in Canada and Scotland. At L’Arche, she held senior leadership roles related to spiritual care, mentoring, training, and community life. Debz has been a field associate with ADN since 2013 and collaborates with ADN in writing accessible liturgies, blogging, and speaking at local churches. Debz is also on the Disability Ministry Board at her local church in Saskatoon.
	Rebekah Flores Rebekah lives in Elgin, Illinois, where she attends Highland Avenue Church of the Brethren. She serves as Disabilities Advocate for Discipleship Ministries of the Church of the Brethren. Rebekah brings experience living and working with people with developmental disabilities and a strong interest in promoting disability awareness and inclusion in congregations.
	Chou Hallegra Gabikiny Chou (pronounced "Shoo") lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where she offers person-centered counseling and consultation to persons living with disabilities and their caregivers. She has a Masters Degree in Human Services from Liberty University. She attends West Shore Brethren in Christ of Mechanicsburg, PA.
	Bonnie Miller Bonnie is the mother of a young adult with cerebral palsy and has 27 years of experience in elementary/early childhood education: twelve years in general education and fifteen years in special education. She has been involved in IEP annual conferences as both a parent and a teacher. At both school and church, Bonnie works to make classrooms barrier-free for children with a variety of disabilities. Bonnie has advocated for disabled members in her congregation and enjoys brainstorming ways to help every child experience full inclusion with their peers.
	Jon-Erik (J.E.) Misz Jon-Erik (J.E.) serves as the secretary on the ADN Board of Directors. He resides in Goshen, IN, where he works as a licensed clinical social worker. Some of his favorite people in the world have experienced mental illness, and he views their presence in our church communities as a true gift. He is a member of Waterford Mennonite Church, where his wife, Katie, serves on the pastoral team.
	Mark Pickens Mark lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where he attends First Church of the Brethren, Harrisburg. Mark has a Master of Divinity degree from Bethany Theological Seminary. He brings to ADN his personal experience as a blind person. He is interested in exploring the ways our understandings of God and disabilities interact and influence personal faith and congregational practices. Mark can speak about many disability accessibility issues, including those related to low vision and blindness.
	Denise Reesor Denise Reesor lives in Goshen, Indiana where she works as a school psychologist. She is passionate about the inclusion and belonging of all peoples and families in the church. Denise attends East Goshen Mennonite church along with her husband Tony.
	Katie Smith Katie lives in Radford, Virginia. She serves as Accessibility Services Coordinator at Radford University. Katie has a Master of Arts Degree in Disability Studies from the City University of New York. She also brings her experience as a person who has cerebral palsy. Katie is a member of the Church of the Brethren.
	Milt Stoltzfus Milt was a member of the ADN board from the beginning in 2004 until 2017. He works as coordinator of spiritual nurture and community life for Friendship Community in Lititz, Pa. Milt had two older sisters who were born with developmental disabilities. Milt attends New Beginnings Brethren in Christ Church, Ephrata, Pa.
	Heddie Sumner Heddie is a registered nurse and has a BSN. Before her retirement, Heddie served as Care Manager, Dir. of Dementia Services, and Dir. of Resources and Development for Senior Services/Midland County Council on Aging in Michigan. Heddie is co-author of A Family Centered Alzheimer’s Care - A Caregiver’s Manual and Doing More with Less: Michigan Dementia Coalition. She provides trainings on dementia for staff of nursing homes, adult day cares, and adult foster care homes. She also provides trainings for congregations on how to include people with disabilites, including those with dementia. Heddie lives in Eagle Rock, Virginia with her husband Bill. They attend the Daleville Church of the Brethren.