29th October, 2015
The ninth World Congress of Families kicked off in Salt Lake City the US on Tuesday with Australian evangelist Nick Vujicic telling attendees that experience has taught him "there is value in every life".
Mr Vujicic, who was born without arms and legs due to Tetra-amelia syndrome, said that "God carries us when we cannot walk" and urged his audience to "know" that they are a child of God. "With that understanding you will blossom with kindness, capacity and vision to make a difference," he said.
He told of how his parents – his father was an evangelical minister – wanted him to know that "there was a reason I was born this way". "They fasted and prayed that God would give me arms and legs but they accepted the fact that even without, God has a plan for me."
Mr Vujicic, author of Life Without Limbs and the founder of a non-profit organisation of the same name, said that "never in a million years" would his parents have believed their little boy would become an evangelist.
"Love God with everything you’ve got," he said. "Love your family with everything you’ve got. Then love everyone else. God will show the path."
More than 3,000 delegates from 40 nations are attending the congress – the first time it’s been held in the US. Running until the end of the week, delegates will hear from almost 200 speakers.
– DAVID ADAMS
