We’re longtime CSPC members Dave & Linda Ackerson, still a part of the CSPC family though we’ve recently moved to Ooltewah. Here’s how God’s been enabling us to live deeply.
Linda: “Our second child, David, was born in 1966, missing most of one side of his brain. Doctors told us he might live only two to three years. Even the Mayo Clinic recommended placing him in a care facility. We went up on the side of a ridge in Duluth, Minnesota (near where we were living at the time), cried together, prayed together, and asked God for guidance.”
Dave: “We told Him we didn’t know what to do, but we figured He did. His peace enveloped us immediately. David didn’t live just three years; he lived almost 18. And he lived those years in our home, not a care facility. He had problems, including seizures multiple times a day, but he was one of the best things to happen to us ever. He was a part of our family, and he was treated that way. David was not supposed to be able to eat or drink normally, but Linda was challenged and learned how to feed him without a feeding tube and give him liquids. She trained the rest of us, too, sort of. She was the master; we couldn’t do it as well. Anyway, we made sure David was involved in everything we did. And our neighbors were fantastic, often stepping in to help, giving us time with our other children. It was a blessing we could never have anticipated.”
Linda: “David couldn’t smile, but he would turn his eyes toward us when we entered the room. That was a big encouragement to us.”
Dave: “He responded to Linda more than anyone else.”
Linda: “Well, that’s because I was his mama! David was non-verbal, but God gave him a peaceful demeanor. We took him to church every Sunday, where he had a special bed in the nursery at CSPC (we had moved back to our home state, Tennessee, in 1968 and settled in Knoxville). Our church family wrapped their arms around us, making sure David was always cared for.”
Dave: “At CSPC, there was no plan for special needs children initially, but the church embraced us, our other two children and David. They provided comfort and support, showing us the love of Christ through their actions. It was humbling and affirming.”
Linda: “David gave us lots of opportunities to witness God’s work through others. We met Joni Eareckson Tada and became involved in her ministry for families with disabilities. We were part of Joni & Friends’ summer camp for about 20 years, where we met and supported other families with children having a variety of disabilities. Some were like David. Our grandchildren even volunteered there and experienced the joy of serving.”
Dave: “It’s incredible how God used David to open doors we never expected.”
Linda: “We also had the privilege of knowing a missionary couple with a daughter similar to David. They’d served in Nigeria, where children like her were often left on the side of the road and abandoned. Their example was a great encouragement to us.”
Dave: “We had another set of missionary friends, too. The wife, an artist, captured David’s essence in a portrait that hangs in our living room. And one of our neighbors even built a custom wagon for him: David’s Draggin’ Wagon. We would ‘drag’ David all over the neighborhood, and he became a familiar sight to everyone. Despite his challenges, he was very much a part of our daily lives.”
Linda: “Our other two children, Kimberley and Christopher, were so accepting. They embraced David as a vital part of our family, helping in his care and sharing in our adventures.”
Dave: “David’s memorial service was packed with people whose lives he had impacted. We had no idea the extent of his influence until then. It was so poignant realizing how David’s life allowed us to proclaim Christ more boldly. People were curious about why we kept David at home, and it gave us the opportunity to share about God’s love and purpose. Reflecting on our journey, Jesus’s words in John 9:3 resonate deeply: ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’ David’s life was a testament to God’s purpose, and we are grateful for every moment we had with him.”
Linda: “David’s legacy lives on through the lives he touched and the lessons we learned through him. His presence brought us closer to God, strengthened our faith, and showed us the beauty of a community united in Christ.”
Dave: “Transitioning to our life now, we’ve had some challenges. Linda was diagnosed with Parkinson’s right when COVID started.”
Linda: “Even with Parkinson’s, I’ve felt fortunate. God has given me peace, knowing He’ll take care of me. Whether it’s helping me through this life or calling me home, I trust His plan.”
Dave: “I joke that Linda must have played football because when she falls, she knows how to roll so that she winds up bruised but not injured!”
Linda: “Dave has been my rock, supporting me through every fall and every doctor’s appointment.”
Dave: “We recently moved to Ooltewah to be closer to our kids- and to have a one-story house. I took a fall down an embankment this spring at CSPC that served as a wake-up call to simplify our lives. Clay Harrington and Ed Heim were so good that night, driving us to the hospital to get checked out (I was okay) and then driving us home. After my fall, they also made sure Linda stayed inside the church so she wouldn’t be alarmed.”
Linda: “Our community at CSPC has been our anchor, especially the Emmaus class, which we’ve been part of our entire time here. They’ve provided not just spiritual nourishment but also practical help and companionship.”
Dave: “It’s amazing to think we arrived at CSPC in 1968 sort of by accident. We had to care for David, so Linda and I would take turns trying out new churches. I’d already tried CSPC and decided it wasn’t where we’d be. But then one Sunday, I happened to be late for the church I intended to go to, so I had to go to CSPC. God changed my mind that Sunday and we’ve never left.”
Linda: “We’ve experienced God’s provision through our church family. They’ve always been there for us.”
Dave: “Reflecting on our 83 years of life and 62 years as husband and wife, we see a tapestry woven with threads of God’s faithfulness. From David’s life to our current challenges, God has been with us every step of the way. We’ve been blessed with seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren- each one a testament to His promise and grace. Our journey continues, slower perhaps, but always guided by God’s hand. We look forward to what He has in store for us, knowing He is faithful.”