Andrea Douglas, along with her identical twin, Heather, was born and grew up in Aledo, Illinois. She attended Aledo High School where she was an athlete, competing in softball, basketball, and golf. In 2002 she graduated from Aledo High and then went on to attend and graduate from Trinity Christian College with a degree in Church and Ministry Leadership. It was there she met and ultimately married her handsome husband Michael in 2006. She went on to Northern Seminary to receive her Masters of Divinity degree.

After years of infertility, Andrea and her husband experienced the joy of the birth of their son, Gabriel. They soon noticed Gabriel’s development was delayed. He was eventually diagnosed with autism and a rare, genetic condition that gradually robs his abilities, and yet through it all, she has come to a place of deep intimacy with God. Gabriel is now 10 years old.

In 2017 Andrea joined the staff at Chillicothe Christian Church as Family Ministry Director. Loving people and working with families, she was a perfect fit. In 2022 she transitioned into a new role as Associate Minister at the church. The new Senior Pastor, Ryan Phelps has been working with Andrea for only about a year, but relates about her; “Andrea is a person of integrity. What you see is what you get with her. She is an inspiration to those around her and persistent in chasing after her convictions. She’s a joy to be around and a valuable asset to the ministry team at CCC. A true servant to all.”

Wanting to get involved in the community, Andrea joined the Chamber of Commerce,  helping promote local businesses and overseeing the distribution of welcome bags for the community.

Being a lifelong softball player, in 2021 she began coaching the IVC High School’s JV team as well as with the CEC/Mossville junior high team. In 2022 while still coaching the junior high team she took on assistant coach of the varsity team at IVC High School. She was well-loved by all the girls she coached and the coaches she worked with. So well loved in fact, that she was nominated in 2023 the Central Illinois Remarkable Woman Award and was one of the four finalists for that award. She says she was surprised and humbled by the nomination.

Andrea is also an inspirational speaker and over the years she has had the opportunity to speak at events, retreats, and conferences. Through powerful personal stories and biblical insight, she helps overwhelmed women find hope, healing, and renewed strength. Having worked with now-retired Bob Hentrich at Chillicothe Christian Church for years, Bob says; “Andrea is one of the best and most effective speakers I know — male or female. Her messages are always straight from God’s word and straight from her heart.”

This year to honor her son, she wrote a beautiful book; Oliver’s Extraordinary Friend...A Boy’s Journey of Embracing Autism. In this heartfelt story, Andrea aims to bridge the gap between neurotypical and uniquely abled children and to foster understanding, acceptance, and to spread awareness and initiate vital conversations about autism within families and communities. The book explores themes of empathy, acceptance, and the beauty of diversity, cultivating these important values in young readers.

In this book the child characters show love, kindness, and friendship to one another that fosters an understanding and compassion for all kids with autism. In the back of the book there are discussion questions and word explanation pages. You can find this amazing book at the Chillicothe Library. You can also order it on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, and on her publisher’s website blueballoonbooks.com.

Andrea’s story is one of advocacy, compassion, and inspiration. She is a wife, mother, coach, minister, and an inspirational speaker.

Thank you, Andrea for sharing your heart and being an inspiration to all of us!