Joni and Friends | Joni and Friends

About Joni and Friends

Since 1979 Joni and Friends has committed to reaching and serving people with disabilities with practical help and the saving love of Jesus. The Joni and Friends International Disability Center in Agoura Hills, California serves as the administrative hub for ministry programs around the world. With every wheelchair and Bible delivered, every retreat and respite event held, and every church mobilized to integrate and honor people with disabilities, Joni and Friends follows the call of Jesus found in Luke 14.

28 Apr

A Life of Service: How Volunteers Are Spreading God’s Love and Hope in the Disability Community

By Joni and Friends|2025-05-01T07:14:56-07:00April 28, 2025|Joni's House USA, Marriage Getaway, Stories|

Our Joni’s House East St. Louis team first met Joni Oberhauser, her husband Mark, and their children through their pastor. Already deeply committed...

25 Apr

Life and Faith with Autism

By Joni and Friends|2025-07-02T13:03:55-07:00April 25, 2025|Advocacy, Hope & Inspiration, Inspiration, Stories|

As someone living with autism attending church can sometimes be challenging. Loud music, bright lights, and the busy atmosphere can easily overwhelm me...

23 Apr

Our Volunteers Demonstrate the Love of Jesus Worldwide

By Joni and Friends|2025-07-02T13:03:55-07:00April 23, 2025|International Family Retreats, Stories|

At Joni and Friends, 98% of our ministry programs around the world come to life through the Christlike love and dedication of volunteers… like Jonathan...

21 Apr

Serving with a Heart Full of Faith: A Volunteer’s Journey of Love and Purpose

By Joni and Friends|2025-04-22T09:03:16-07:00April 21, 2025|Family Retreats, Stories|

Cindy first heard about Joni and Friends while serving as a home health and hospice volunteer. Walking alongside a family whose two sons had...

15 Apr

Finding Love, Acceptance, and Friendship at Family Retreat

By Joni and Friends|2025-03-19T11:31:38-07:00April 15, 2025|Family Retreats, News, News & Stories|

It had been a long day. But for a moment, sitting poolside during her child’s swimming lesson, Lea got to compare notes with a fellow mom named Pam...

9 Apr

Serving with Love: The Heart of a Volunteer in God’s Mission

By Joni and Friends|2025-04-07T10:27:24-07:00April 9, 2025|Family Retreats, News, News & Stories, Warrior Getaway|

The Lord’s call to Deb Butcher came through the radio… in a spot promoting Joni and Friends Family Retreats in her area in 2001. She had been looking for a...

7 Apr

Power Made Perfect in Weakness: Leading with a Disability

By Joni and Friends|2025-04-01T09:33:35-07:00April 7, 2025|Family Retreats, Internships|

Growing up, Lindsay never wanted to be different than other kids her age. But she knew that she was. After all, Lindsay couldn’t run on the playground...

1 Apr

Discovering the Love of God in Thailand through Joni’s House

By Joni and Friends|2025-03-13T08:18:24-07:00April 1, 2025|International Family Retreats, Joni's House|

Praram was just a year old when his mom, Phornnapa, first asked herself: Does my son have autism? At the time Praram’s doctors didn’t share...

19 Mar

A New Disability Brought a New Call

By Joni and Friends|2025-03-05T14:33:52-08:00March 19, 2025|News, News & Stories, Stories, Wheels For The World|

Meet Vianey, an energetic mom of three from Monterrey, Mexico. She lived a busy, happy life, never imagining that disability would be part of her story...

14 Mar