The story behind You're Invited Church
A personal welcome
Hi, my name is Laura Prince, and I'm so glad you found your way to our website.
The story behind You're Invited Church really began 41 years ago, when I was pregnant with my daughter, Jasmine, who has Down syndrome.
When I shared the news with my family, they asked a very normal question—but in a very unusual context:
“Well… should we have a baby shower?”
I remember that moment because it was one of the first times I realized this might be a very different journey than I had expected. Even people who loved me deeply did not quite know where to place their feelings about welcoming someone with a disability into our family.
Even my Christian doctor strongly suggested that I have an abortion. He told me that this child would ruin my life.
A different story
Jasmine did not ruin my life.
Her life opened my eyes to an extraordinary community of people I may otherwise never have known.
Through Jasmine, I have spent more than four decades walking alongside adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their parents, families, caregivers, teachers, and friends.
Along the way, I have also learned that God completely understands the challenges families face when someone they love is touched by disability.
He sees the questions.
He sees the exhaustion.
He sees the loneliness and uncertainty that can sometimes come with the journey.
And most importantly, He sees our sons and daughters not as a diagnosis, not as a burden, and not as people standing on the sidelines—but as people created in His image who need to know the love of Jesus Christ.
13 years in the making
For the past 13 years, the idea of creating this kind of church outreach has continued to grow in my heart.
I have watched our friends mature into adulthood, and I have seen how difficult it can sometimes be for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to fully participate in a traditional church setting.
The desire to know God is there.
The desire to belong is there.
The desire to worship, serve, learn, build friendships, and grow spiritually is there.
Sometimes we simply need to build an environment that allows those things to happen.
The catalyst
The final catalyst for pursuing this vision came through the life of a young man who has been our friend for the past 12 years.
His name is Andrew Henry.
Andrew is almost 30 years old, is on the autism spectrum, has a wife, has a job, loves the Lord, and has many gifts.
But as I looked at his life, something became very clear to me.
For nearly ten years of his Christian walk, Andrew had experienced very little personal mentoring or intentional discipleship.
Without that consistent guidance, he had traveled down some difficult roads.
This has to change.
Andrew is not alone.
There are many wonderful adults in the disability community who love God and sincerely want to grow, but who need someone from the church family willing to come alongside them—to teach, encourage, mentor, pray, answer questions, and help them navigate life through a biblical lens.
“Sometimes the difference between struggling alone and truly flourishing is simply having someone willing to walk beside you.”
And Andrew's story is already moving forward.
He hopes to grow into a role on our leadership team and has expressed an interest in biblical counseling.
That is exactly the kind of future we want to encourage.
We do not want adults with disabilities simply to attend church.
We want to help create an environment where they can grow as disciples of Jesus, develop their gifts, serve others, build meaningful relationships, and become active, contributing members of their church and community.
Sometimes they just need a little help getting there.
A Growing Movement
God has already begun bringing together people with different gifts and backgrounds to help establish the foundation of this outreach, including a volunteer in-house Pastor and Missions Director from Nigeria who is helping us prayerfully develop the ministry.
We are also grateful for friends in ministry who have already been walking this road—and who have encouraged, resourced, and inspired us as this vision takes shape.
Joni & Friends has been addressing disability for the past 47 years. Their international ministry has countless resources that encourage churches to incorporate special needs ministries into the fabric of their church. Joni's devoted life to Christ while living as a quadriplegic has done nothing but inspire me to do my part for our community.
Ryan Wolfe at Ability Ministry has been another anchor of encouragement for us. Their ministry provides curriculum for churches, with free counseling—and always picks up the phone when I call for help.
I can't forget my new friend Rick Bolle, who has pioneered The Front Porch Church in Naperville, Illinois. His special needs church is a couple of years old and a living testimony that this kind of church is possible, much needed, and very rewarding. He has been a tremendous resource for us.
This is being built now.
We believe God is bringing the right people together at the right time, and we are excited to see how the leadership, volunteer team, discipleship ministry, and church family continue to grow.
If you are an adult with an intellectual or developmental disability and would like to learn more about who we are, what we are building, and how we may be able to walk alongside you, we would love to hear from you.
Please send us a note through our Let's Connect page.
If you are a parent or caregiver with a loved one who might benefit from this kind of church community, we would love to hear from you too.
Your questions, experiences, and hopes matter as we continue building this outreach.
You're invited to grow with us
After 41 years of walking this journey with Jasmine—and 13 years of watching this particular vision take shape—I believe God has been preparing something very special. We are only at the beginning.
For now, you are also welcome to contact me personally.
Laura Prince
You're Invited Church
Phone: 760-492-3931
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