Growing up, Ben often felt like he didn’t quite fit in. As a young man with special needs, making friends and finding a place where he truly belonged was a struggle. He longed for connection, for a community where he was seen, valued, and included.
Everything changed when he stepped through the doors of a First Priority club.
As a freshman at Port St. Lucie High School, Ben was invited to attend a First Priority meeting by Mr. Villari, one of the faculty sponsors. That simple invitation turned out to be life-changing. Through the love and encouragement he found in First Priority, Ben encountered Jesus and made the decision to follow Him. His life was transformed.
But the story doesn’t end there.
Today, Ben is thriving. He serves at Discovery Church, where he helps with kids and students, pouring into the lives of young people just as others once poured into him. He volunteers four days a week in Mr. Villari’s classroom at PSL High, giving back to the school where his journey of faith began. And now, he’s stepping into leadership, co-leading First Priority at Forest Grove Middle School alongside Mike Goddard, the Family Pastor at Discovery Church.
Ben’s story is a testament to the power of an invitation. It’s a reminder that one moment, one act of kindness, can completely change the trajectory of a person’s life. Because someone reached out, Ben not only found friendship—he found purpose.
There are countless students just like Ben, searching for belonging, looking for hope. Who around you needs that same invitation? Who can you welcome in, encourage, and remind that they are loved?
One invitation can make all the difference. Just ask Ben.
