We believe there’s nothing more powerful
than churches working together
to transform lives and communities.
Our mission is to mobilize the Church to transform lives
and communities In the Name of Christ.
Since 1993, Love INC has networked with area believers in churches across Angelina County to fill needs as simple as a phone call to life-sustaining missions of mercy.
We are Love In the Name of Christ, a ministry of the churches of Angelina County that helps our partner churches expand their reach in the community, linking needs to caring and capable help.
Love INC’s founder, Dr. Virgil Gulker, was a social worker and outreach director in Holland, Michigan, in the late 1970s. Deeply committed to helping people who found themselves in need and lacking resources or a support network, he was certain God had called Christian churches to the same mission.
Love INC’s founder, Dr. Virgil Gulker, was a social worker and outreach director in Holland, Michigan, in the late 1970s. Deeply committed to helping people who found themselves in need and lacking resources or a support network, he was certain God had called Christian churches to the same mission.
As he talked to church members and pastors, Dr. Gulker came to understand that Christians did indeed want to help people who had needs, but they did not know how to do so. Many times people did not even recognize that they were gifted in ways that could have a positive, life-changing impact on someone else’s life.
It was clear to Dr. Gulker that if churches were to better serve their communities, they needed leadership, organization, training, encouragement, and prayer. He developed the Love INC model to fill these critical roles. Love INC taught churches to assess their capabilities. It also unified local congregations so that, working together, they could more effectively help their neighbors.
OUR MODEL
HOW IT WORKS
Love INC works as a clearinghouse, a place where those who need can find help and hope using a process developed by our founder, Dr. Virgil Gulker. As a social worker, Dr. Gulker realized that the Body of Christ needed a way to respond to needs in the community, and Love INC was born.
Dr. Gulker’s process is simple: The affiliate office receives a request for help, and it is investigated to review its legitimacy and urgency, as well as the extent of the need. The affiliate office then uses a master list of agencies and volunteers and finds the right place for the person to receive the right help.
The Love INC affiliate office then follows up on the person, building a relationship with him or her to put them on the pathway to self-sufficiency, to make sure the needs are not taken advantage of, and to protect the resources of the volunteers.
There are also seasons Love INC works with churches and agencies to design and develop community programs to meet widespread need or address issues.
Whether it’s five minutes or an entire evening, $5 or a larger donation, Love INC focuses on bringing together those in need with the resources to meet that need, big or small.
CORE VALUES
| #1 | We are Christian. Everything we think, say, and do is in the name of Christ. |
| #2 | Prayer is an integral part of who we are. |
| #3 | We follow Christ’s example of valuing the poor and needy. |
| #4 | We Value unity of the Body of Christ. |
| #5 | We value transformation in the lives of people and communities. |
| #6 | We value churches living out the two great commandments to love God and love their neighbors. |
| #7 | We value building Christ-like relationships. |
| #8 | We value the connectedness of the Love INC. movement. |
| #9 | We model excellence. |
| #10 | We value continually maturing in our capacity to meet people’s needs |
READY TO VOLUNTEER?
We’re looking to connect with individuals and church groups who enjoy serving others while having a meaningful connection with the community. Simple tasks like answering the phone, organizing resources, and administrative assistance are all opportunities awaiting you. Your skills can have a lasting impact on our community.
To begin, fill out the volunteer form or call our office today at 936-637-6637.
