Pastor Charles Ware—“The 7P’s”
Pastor Charles Ware, President of Baptist Bible College in Indianapolis, IN, is pictured with his teenage son Matt. Matt Ware was paralyzed in a 1998 basketball practice at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis.
1997 - Matt Ware - Matt is the 16 yr. old son of Reverend Charles Ware, President of Indianapolis Baptist Bible College. Matt was playing basketball in the gym at Heritage Christian School in Indianapolis, IN when he dove for a loose ball that resulted in his paralysis from the armpits down to his feet. Matt's story has received nationwide press and has resulted in an outpouring of generosity from the Indianapolis christian community. Our prayers and concerns are with the Ware family in their time of suffering. Consider the Ware's "Job-like response" in these articles.
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By Andrea Neal-Indianapolis Star/News- INDIANAPOLIS (Thu, Mar 12, 1998)
Why do bad things happen to good people? That often-asked question came to mind as I read the newspaper account of 16-year-old Matt Ware, the Heritage Christian basketball player who suffered a spinal cord injury while diving for a loose ball at practice. The accident, which left Matt paralyzed below the armpits, is the sort of tragedy that would make the best of us lash out in anger at God and the unfairness of life. Yet the Ware family has been anything but angry. When Matt's mother first saw him at the hospital, he quickly reassured her with the comment, "God is in control." In the days since the injury, the family has been in constant prayer, hoping for a miraculous recovery, of course, but more importantly, seeking God's will. "This accident won't cause us to deny all the good things and charge God with evil," says Matt's father, the Rev. Charles Ware, president of Indianapolis Baptist Bible College. "Rather we're so grateful for what God has given and what he is doing. We believe he is using this so-called evil thing to bring glory to his own name." Every now and then, a story comes along about someone whose courage in the midst of suffering blows the rest of us away. How is it that some folks can cope graciously with crisis when others fall apart? The question is as old as man himself. Consider the story of Job in the Bible, who lost his sheep, his camels, his servants and his family -- everything but his trust in God. Four thousand years later, we still struggle to make sense of tragedy. Perhaps that's why one of the best-selling books ever is Rabbi Harold Kushner's When Bad Things Happen to Good People, written after the death of his 14-year-old son. "Sooner or later, each of us finds himself playing one of the roles in the story of Job," says Kushner, "whether as a victim of tragedy, as a member of the family or as a friend-comforter. The questions never change; the search for a satisfying answer continues. "When faith is strongest, the search is easiest. Or so it seems to the Wares. "Last night as we were praying," says Matt's father, "he prayed first that God would use this to draw our family closer to God and one another. He prayed God would give him strength and work a miracle in his healing. He also prayed that God would encourage all those who are praying for him. "It is hard to comprehend how a teen-ager can have such peace, knowing that his life may be changed forever. But to Rev. Ware, it's no mystery. "As Matt and I discussed, we would much rather serve God through our strength, but sometimes God allows us to serve him through our weakness. When you think about it, what else could get a 16-year-old on the front page of The Indianapolis Star? I told him if he was playing basketball at his greatest, it wouldn't have got him there. "Is there an answer to why bad things happen to good people? If we're looking for explanations, Kushner tells us, probably not. There's just no way to explain why some people get cancer and others don't, why planes crash and children die. But if the word "answer" means response, there may well be satisfying answers to tragedy in our lives. In Kushner's case, "I know that people who knew our family were moved to handle the difficult times of their own lives with more hope and courage when they saw our example. I take these as instances of God moving people here on earth to help other people in need. "In Matt's case, the response has been overwhelming. Prayer chains are active across the world and all sorts of people who would never have known Matt's name now know what it means to trust God. In the middle of crisis, author Max Lucado says we should remain calm and let God take over. "Just trust. Not direct. Or question." That's just what Matt and his family are doing in their time of trial. Their example is an inspiration for all of us.
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By Terri Hutchins-Indianapolis Star/News- INDIANAPOLIS (Thu, April 9, 1998)
It has been six weeks since an innocent act on a basketball court left 16-year-old Matt Ware paralyzed below the shoulders. The boy who wanted to be an NBA player, or maybe a cop, now can't even walk. He's not bitter. He's not sad. He hasn't lost his faith that God will do what's best. Matt Ware is adjusting. "I would like to think that someday I will be able to walk again or maybe even play basketball," said the Heritage Christian High School sophomore. "But if this is permanent, and I'm never able to walk again, I'm OK with that, too. I still have my friends and my family, and nothing will have changed except for the fact I won't be able to walk. "Some people have been like that all their lives, and I should be thankful that I had 16 years to walk," he said. "What you have to remember is that there's always something to look forward to when you have Christ in your life. "Friends and family who have visited him in the hospital marvel at his outlook on life. Strangers do, too. Indiana Pacers guard Chris Mullin learned of Matt's accident through the team's front office and went to visit. "Usually when you go to a hospital you're somber, and you're walking on eggshells because you're not sure what you're going to say," Mullin said. "But that kid raised me up. He gave me a good feeling about everything when I left. He and his mom and his sister. All of them. "I thought I was going there to help them, and they helped me. "Mullin has three children under the age of 5. He viewed Matt's accident through a father's eyes. Mullin said the Ware family taught him a valuable lesson. "The feeling I got from them was, 'Don't ask why,' but rather just try and take care of it, and I believe there's a lot of truth in that," Mullin said. "They just made me feel so positive just being there. They gave me strength.
Neck struck a wall
The innocence of the act that changed Matt's life cannot be ignored. There was a dive for a loose ball and an uncontrolled slide across a slick gymnasium floor. The back of Matt's neck slammed against a padded concrete wall. After blacking out for about 10 seconds, Matt awoke to alarming new rules governing his body. Outside of a throbbing ache in the back of his neck, Matt was feeling no other pain. Nothing. Today, as he lays in bed at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Indiana, Matt is faced with the possibility of spending the rest of his life in a wheelchair. Self-pity? Not for this kid. "What you have to remember is that things are going to happen in God's time, not when you want them to happen," Matt said. "I have to wait until God decides whether I will walk again or not. If I don't, I know it's because He has a greater plan for my life." Matt Ware comes by his faith honestly. "My dad has always been so dedicated to living his life for God and being a living example for all of us children," Matt said. Charles Ware is president of Baptist Bible College of Indianapolis. "I've always been amazed at how much love he has for God," Matt said of his father. "He's the perfect role model for me."
Hours of therapy
A typical day for Matt at the rehabilitation hospital, on the Far Westside of Indianapolis, includes nearly six hours of physical therapy. There's also a daily spinal cord education class. By the time 5 p.m. rolls around, and visiting hours begin, he's often exhausted. Any spare time he had in March was spent glued to the NCAA basketball tournament. "The week of my accident was the Big Ten tournament, and then the following week was March Madness," he said. "I guess in that way it was pretty good timing." Matt's NCAA tournament pool form is still taped to the wall behind his bed. He didn't pick Kentucky to win. Two of his Final Four choices were Purdue and Cincinnati. "You can't win 'em all," he said with a chuckle. Besides basketball, Matt said that what makes him happiest is spending time with his friends. He likes watching movies. Stacked on top of the VCR in his hospital room are Independence Day and Men in Black. "When I was at Riley (Hospital for Children), I had more time to watch movies during the day," he said. "But here they keep me so busy, that when I finally get to bed, I'm here to sleep." Matt also enjoys fishing. Last summer, he and his friend Josh Bartemus would fish nearly every day at a pond near his Northwestside home. His best fish story came from a fishing trip last summer to Minnesota with his father and some friends from College Park Baptist Church. They had a contest to see who would catch the biggest fish. Matt won with a 27-inch pike. "Mine was the biggest by far," he said. His father smiled at the retelling. "He got lucky," Charles Ware said. Eager to go home While Matt longs for a peaceful day fishing, he said he would give anything just to be home again. Last week, he was able to go home for a few hours. One of his biggest fans was waiting for him. His sister's dog, a small sheltie named Lucky Larry, climbed up on Matt's lap and gave him a face-licking welcome home. Matt said, "When he got up on my lap, he just went crazy. He was licking me something fierce. It's neat knowing that even a little animal like that can have so much love for you. " The doctors have told Matt he might be able to go home for good in three weeks. As for returning to school, Heritage Christian Principal Al Leinbach said the target is for a return sometime in May. The last day of school is May 28. "Matt was able to stop by on the Thursday before spring break, and we were able to take him around to all of the different classes in his wheelchair," Leinbach said. "Everyone was really uplifted by his presence." At the request of the family, doctors are still not discussing Matt's condition. According to Charles Ware, Matt's prognosis - complete paralysis - hasn't changed. Still, Matt's faith in God remains secure. "The only thing you can do in a situation like this is to totally trust God," he said. "None of the doctors really know what will happen, and they can't, because God is in control. "I just have to be patient and remember it's His time, not mine." A fund has been established to help defray medical expenses. Anyone interested in contributing should make checks payable to: Matt Ware Trust Fund, NBD, 1092 E. Third Ave. SW, Carmel, Ind. 46032. -
On July 16, 1998, a miracle occurred in Indianapolis, Indiana from the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ. A Christian family facing an uncertain financial, physical and emotional future are beginning a new spiritual journey down a well travelled, dirty path covered by rivers of tears and blood from the saints of old. The Lord, in his sovereignty, has placed Matt Ware and his family on this path where only two knowns exist - the burden of a very heavy, daily cross and the promise of our Lord Jesus Christ never to forsake or leave them. The Lord requests of all He has placed on this path to heed to two simple words,
What about a place to live? ---------- Trust Me!
What about using the bathroom? shower? eating? ---------- Trust Me!
What about not being able to sleep? ---------- Trust Me!
What about the continual physical and emotional pain? ---------- Trust Me!
What about girlfriends? ---------- Trust Me!
What about college? ---------- Trust Me!
What about finances? ---------- Trust Me!
What about depression and loneliness? ---------- Trust Me!
Since Matt's accident in February, 1998, the Ware's have bear-hugged "Trust Me" and held it close to their hearts. Tonight, in the relatively quiet city of Indianapolis, Indiana, the Lord, in his Omnipotence, honored the Ware's faith again by the miracle of directing the Christian community to care for their own. Over 1,000 people lined both sides of the "path of Christ" to support the Ware's financially, physically and emotionally for their life-long journey ahead.
It was a beautiful, heart felt evening as the Reverend Charles Ware, president of Baptist Bible college and Matt's father, related the story of Joseph to the Ware's current situation. Joseph, sold into slavery by his brothers at the age of 17, imprisoned by the king of Egypt based on a lie, then, as a thirty year old, by the hand of the living God, was miraculously put in charge "of the whole land of Egypt." (Gen 41:41) For seven years, the Lord blessed the land of Egypt abundantly and Joseph "stored up huge quantities of grain in all the cities, like sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure." (Gen 41:49) Then, a worldwide famine hit and the entire world had no option but to turn to Egypt to buy grain or die. Jacob, the father of the Joseph, whom he thought dead, told his 11 other sons, "go to Egypt and buy grain so that we may live and not die!" (Gen 42:2) Eventually, Joseph, in tears and anguish, made himself known to his brothers, who were immediately terrified at his presence! Jacob, the father, then joined his family in Egypt but soon died thereafter, as God had foretold. The 11 sons were certain that Joseph would now take vengeance for their actions some 20 years previous, but Joseph replied to them, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." (Gen 50:20) Despite the incredible highs and lows in Joseph's life, one statement was pervasive throughout - "The Lord was with Joseph and he prospered."(Gen 39:2)
Likewise, for the past 30 years, God has accompanied and prospered the Reverend Charles Ware. Our Lord Jesus Christ is now allowing a very unique opportunity and honor for the Ware family and especially Matt to praise and bless Him through Matt's current position of "weakness." It is very evident from this evening's outpouring that the Lord intends this for good, to accomplish His purpose. His purpose? Is it "for the saving of many lives", like Joseph's life? Well, I certainly don't know what the purpose is, but I pray that Matt responds to his situation with an unshakeable trust in God, accompanied by an eternal perspective in God's promises, which is the only way to bear his daily cross with a trusting, joyful response in our Lord Jesus Christ.Obvious questions to our Creator abound - Why me???? Why this???? Why now???? But Jesus responds, "I, too, have been there - do you remember? I have been there - - I know - - and I am also here for you right NOW - ALWAYS!" With tears in his eyes and a tight grip on all of our hands, the Lord says "Follow me and I will make straight this path." He begins the spiritual journey with a few steps, then stops, turns to all of us, holding up his hand; a hush falls over the frightened sheep huddled on the path. The light in His eyes pierces all of our hearts - - - and he whispers "Trust Me!" Our frightened tears become tears of joy as the Lord leads all on the path to another miracle - just like the one in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 16, 1998 - a closeness and trust in Him that could be achieved no other way.
Benefit DinnerINDIANAPOLIS, Indiana - Thursday, July 16, 1998
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He never made a jump shot again, never grabbed another rebound - not since that awful day in February 1998 when Matt Ware slid into a wall while chasing a loose basketball during practice at Heritage Christian School.
The impact and resulting spinal injury left Ware, then a sophomore, paralyzed below the shoulders. The former athlete now uses an electric wheelchair to scoot around. Today, however, Ware undergoes a rare surgical procedure that will, if successful, restore partial use of his right hand for the first time since the accident.
The operation, called a functional electrical stimulation prosthesis implant, will be performed for the first time in Indianapolis. For Ware, the operation's potential to let him grasp a cup again is not a game-winning three-point play in closing seconds, but it will be its own victory. "It'll give me a lot more freedom and independence," he said Monday.
Ware, now 18, spent nearly two months after his injury in various hospitals, recuperating and receiving physical therapy. He has limited mobility in his arms, but no coordinated movement in his hands.
The surgery, scheduled for 8 a.m. at St. Vincent Hospital, will be led by Dr. Hill Hastings. It consists of two parts - a tendon transfer that will improve Matt's upper arm movement, and the implant - a procedure approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration in 1997.
In essence, the operation involves implanting a receiver-transmitter unit - similar to a heart pacemaker - inside Matt's chest. The device delivers signals to electrodes that are implanted in eight different muscles to provide for grasp, pinch and release, Hastings said. Matt's arm will be immobilized for three weeks after the surgery, but within 12 weeks he should be able to hold a pen or a spoon, or open a door with a key.
Though his basketball-playing days are over, Ware remains an avid sports fan.
He might be in a hospital room Wednesday night recuperating from his surgery, but he has made it known that he'll be watching the Indiana Pacers play the Los Angeles Lakers in the opening game of the NBA Championships on television. "The Pacers have a very good chance," said Matt, who hopes to study computer software design at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis beginning in the fall, but whose dream job would be calling pro basketball games at courtside every night.
"I know we can beat the Lakers because both Kobe (Bryant) and Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) can be stopped, as the Blazers showed."
Matt graduated with his class in May, in part with the help of a computer equipped with the voice-recognition software so he could dictate all his papers.
Matt's father the Rev. A. Charles Ware, president of Baptist Bible College of Indianapolis, gave the commencement address. "The audience just went wild and gave him a standing ovation for a minute or two and my class also stood," Matt said. "It was really special to see."
While completing school, though, Matt had to eat lunch in the gym where he had practiced and played basketball every day. "I can look at the spot where I hit the wall," he said. "It doesn't bother me. I know some people can develop some problems, but it's never bothered me."
Matt's mother, Sharon, says her son's physical fitness before the injury and prayerful friends have helped the entire family cope with their ordeal. The injury "changed all of our lives a lot," he said. "Just daily routines of life - we're all required to help Matt at times. As a family, it's brought us all closer together."
The surgery should take six to seven hours, Hastings said. He said the probability of a successful outcome is very high.
-June 2000 - Indianapolis Star article - Abe Aamidor
Pastor Ware gave an inspiring sermon on Feb 20, 2000 on "The 7P's" to responding to those who are suffering. The Ware family has displayed a true Christian response in the midst of painful and difficult trials. It was an honor to hear Pastor Ware speak from his family's experiences!
