The Emmaus Story
From one man’s calling to a global movement of love and inclusion
“They asked each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?’” – Luke 24:32
This passage is the heartbeat of Emmaus Inn Ministries: walking alongside people, sharing life, and opening the Scriptures together.
Our Founder
For more than five decades, Nick Palermo has poured his life into ministry. What began as a simple “yes” to God has become a lifetime of service, shaping lives and opening doors for people of all abilities to know the love of Jesus.
Nick has served in ministry for 53 years, with 46 of those years dedicated to serving people with disabilities. In 1986, he founded Young Life Capernaum, creating a place where teens with disabilities could belong, be loved, and hear the gospel in a way that made sense to them. What started as one small gathering grew into a worldwide movement—today there are over 400 Capernaum ministries across the U.S. and in more than 40 countries.
Nick holds a B.A. in Sociology from San Jose State University and an M.A. in Theology from Fuller Seminary. He is an ordained minister and also holds a Certificate in Spiritual Direction, equipping him to lead with both compassion and depth.
In 2016, Nick followed God’s call once again to launch Emmaus Inn Ministries, continuing his lifelong passion to serve adults with disabilities. For the past 10 years, Emmaus has provided clubs, camps, and leadership training that build community, joy, and faith.
Next year marks two incredible milestones—40 years of Capernaum and 10 years of Emmaus. Yet Nick is not slowing down. With the same heart and vision that began decades ago, he continues to inspire, lead, and dream of even greater things to come. His story is one of perseverance, love, and an unshakable commitment to see every person valued, included, and embraced by the love of Jesus.
Author of Missing Stars, Fallen Sparrows
See Nick’s Founding Story and a Link to His Book Below
Nick’s Story
Our Founder’s Story
Emmaus Inn Ministries is a community shaped by many hands and hearts today, but it began with a vision placed on the heart of our founder, Nick Palermo. For decades, Nick has dedicated his life to creating spaces of belonging and faith for people with disabilities. In this video, Nick shares the story and heartbeat behind Emmaus Inn Ministries.
