Brian Loken, development director for LifeQuest. (photo by J.Lynn Studios)

People with disabilities, especially if they're non-verbal and/or severely disabled, are often invisible to the community around them. Yet, relationships and ministries with these individuals can be a transformative opportunity to see the Imago Dei in everyone and experience the gift of inclusion.  

Brian Loken, development director for LifeQuest in Mitchell, S.D., led a lunch-n-learn discussion at the 2025 Annual Conference. LifeQuest is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities and experiences for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).  

Loken spoke about the innovative work of LifeQuest as a means of sparking discussion and ideas about ways churches can partner with individuals with disabilities, their families, and other organizations that support them, to be a church with truly Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Doors.  

During this Lunch-n-Learn session, Loken shared the various ways LifeQuest is present in the Mitchell community, as well as ways churches or other communities can help live out a similar mission on their own.  

Loken emphasized that it is not just the organization that is meaningful, but all the people who surround and help support the mission. "LifeQuest and organizations like us can't do our job without the community. We need them, and we can only succeed when there's a strong connection there." 

LifeQuest currently serves approximately 160 adults with developmental disabilities and employs 200 staff members who support the organization and its individuals. About 170 of their employees are direct support professionals (DSPs). These are the staff members who directly support individuals in various ways, such as accompanying them to activities, church services, assisting with daily living tasks, and community integration. 

Action Idea: Does your community (or a nearby community) offer support services for adults with developmental disabilities? Reach out to the staff or director for a conversation about how your church members can build relationships with this population. 

401 Create is a program offered through LifeQuest in Mitchell, S.D.

One of the primary objectives of LifeQuest is to create opportunities that enhance the lives of individuals. One of the most effective ways to achieve this is to help people feel connected and supported by their community. LifeQuest is accomplishing this in several ways. One unique way is at a site they have called 401 Create. The idea of 401 Create is to bring people together. They have hosted dozens of different events, including karaoke, trivia, BINGO, cooking and baking days, choir, yoga sessions, and many others.  

"What we are trying to do at 401 Create is get the folks of LifeQuest involved in the community in whatever way they can," said Loken.  

Action Idea: Host a crafting event, karaoke night, or baking event at your church for individuals with IDD and church members to connect and socialize. Collaborate with direct support professionals to plan the event, ensuring accessibility and necessary logistical support. 

Another program offered by LifeQuest in the Mitchell community is Wesleyan Quest, which is in partnership with Dakota Wesleyan University (DWU). Wesleyan Quest is a way for individuals with IDD to take part in classroom learning alongside traditional students. Wesleyan Quest is an integrated college experience to help students transition from high school into adulthood. Through this program, students can earn a two-year certification from DWU, helping them navigate a career path, enjoy community life, and build meaningful relationships. 

Loken explained, "We have people taking actual college courses. They might not have to take the tests or do some of the bigger projects, but they are in the classroom and get to graduate with a certificate." 

Action Idea: Visit your local school to identify the support needs and opportunities available for young people with disabilities as they navigate the education system and transition into adulthood. 

Workshop attendees were encouraged to imagine how they could support disability ministries in their own community (photo by J.Lynn Studios)

A program that LifeQuest hopes to integrate this summer is called "My Own Front Door." The idea behind "My Own Front Door" is to create a space that allows individuals to be more independent while also providing a platform for them to connect with their community outside of a traditional group home setting.  

"We are going to have 660-sqft, one-bed/one-bathroom homes in a village-style format – sort of like tiny homes. We are going to have six of the people we are supporting live there. It is the idea of having smaller homes where folks can get together and then go out into the community as opposed to just being a part of these larger group homes," explained Loken. 

Action Idea: Talk with staff/direct support professionals about how members of your church might "adopt" a group home and provide care, connection, meals, or simply meaningful interactions.  

Loken also shared a few tips about ways church members can support people with IDDs in their community. One of the main tips he gave was to take things slowly. Although it can be exciting to invest in new people, it is essential not to rush the process. Many people can easily become overwhelmed by new things, so integration is crucial.  

"You can't go from 'Hey I'm interested in church' to going to your pancake feed or a big event that you have and expect that transition to go well. You have to take it slow. If they want to be more involved, I wouldn't pick a big event at first. I'd pick a small one like a Wednesday night youth group or service," shared Loken.  

View contact information for community support providers in your area here. 
View a recording of the Lunch-n-Learn here.