The National Organization
Gallatin County Love In the Name of Christ is an
independent affiliate of the national
Love INC organization. The national Love INC
organization is over 25 years old. As an independent affiliate,
Gallatin County Love INC is a local organization, run by a local Board
of Directors, and responsible to its local
partner churches. Plans, objectives and ministry projects are
locally determined. Donations to Gallatin County Love INC support
the local ministry.
By being an independent affiliate of the national
organization, Gallatin County Love INC pays $250/year dues, and in return
receives professional advice, resources, support materials, and
suggestions based on experience and ministry results in a wide range of
settings. The national organization's support and help is much
appreciated, as is its prayers for us.
A Brief History of the National Love INC Organization
In 1976, Pastor Virgil Gulker was hired to direct the
Good Samaritan Center, a private, church-sponsored helping organization in
Holland, Michigan. Its mission was to serve the mentally ill,
elderly, prisoners, functional illiterates, visually and hearing impaired,
and others in need. Pastor Gulker soon discovered that area churches
were not really participating in the Center's ministry. Many
churches provided financial and prayer support, but few were involved in
responding to needs "up close and personal."
The failure of those well-intentioned Michigan churches
to minister personally to needy neighbors was not so much from a lack of
compassion as from a lack of a ministry model. This awareness
motivated Pastor Gulker to develop a model which would organize the
churches by achieving two interrelated goals: (1) equip churches to
minister in Christ's name, and (2) integrate these serving churches into
the helping services network that existed in the community.
Love In the Name
of Christ (Love
INC) was formed as the model to organize churches to meet
needs. It would serve as a clearinghouse to assess needs and make
referrals for help. It would not be an agency, because it would
provide NO direct services itself. Instead, it would link volunteer
and material resources within churches to meet needs in conjunction with
area helping agencies. It would make a definitive and valuable
contribution toward facilitating cooperation among Christian
churches. In 1988, the national Love INC organization became a
partner with World Vision.
In 2002, the national Love INC celebrated its 25th
Anniversary. With over 120 affiliates in 28 states and Puerto Rico,
representing over 7,000 church partners, God's hand of blessing on Love
INC is worthy of celebration.
National
Love INC
