Love INC looks to help where it is needed most

Several local churches are pulling together to help those in need, thanks to the launch of a new program called Love INC (Love in the name of Christ).

So far, eight churches have expressed interest in working together, and Love INC hasn't even officially begun. Once it is up and running, organizers are hoping for even more positive results.

"We've talked to a lot of churches, and we have a bunch that are interested," said Shannon Abarta, who is on the steering committee. "It takes time for the church members to talk with their boards and figure out an approach."

The program is a national one in which churches work together to fill community needs. By working together under one program, churches can ensure that every need is filled, rather than overlapping them and in the process, leaving some unfulfilled.

"We go and talk to the church members and identify what they can do to help. Some people can donate time, some can donate money, some can donate effort -- it is just about anything," Abarta said. "Some people commit to buying a pair of shoes a year to donate, while other people can commit to doing something like driving a person to work once or twice a week.

"People are in need of basic things like a simple ride to work, and we can fill those needs by working together," Abarta said. "There is a wide range of things people can do to help, and some of them you may not even think about until you start talking about the true needs of the community."

There are currently two Love INC organizations in Alaska -- one in Fairbanks and one in Kenai. They are well established, having been in operation for more than 15 years. In Fairbanks, there are eight full-time Love INC staff members that work with 47 churches. They even receive federal money for transportation programs, Abarta said.

"They do like 36,000 rides a year in Fairbanks," Abarta said. "And transportation is an issue in the Valley, too."

Abarta said locally, needs "are seemingly endless" for people. The program works simply enough -- agency resources and churches steer people to Love INC when needs are assessed. The organization then looks at what each church can offer.

"That way, one church isn't being hit up all the time," Abarta said. "We'll have a list of what each church is available for, and we can match them up with people. It is a specific way of helping people, rather than just having them bounce around churches."

Congregations are given manageable opportunities to serve through Love INC, the national organization's pamphlet indicated.

According to the national organization's pamphlets, Love INC works because of a three-pronged approach to community assistance. First, there is a clearinghouse in which the organization screens needs for help and refers them to a local church or community service agency.

Then, the "relational ministry model" is begun, in which church members are linked with individuals and families in need on a long-term basis to provide mentoring, goal setting and spiritual support.

The final stage is the "comprehensive model," in which deeper issues, such as poverty and homelessness, are examined by the organization, and needs are ultimately addressed.

There are more than 120 Love INC chapters in operation around the world, with most of them taking place in the United States. There are a couple of chapters in other countries, as well as one in Puerto Rico, Abarta said.

The advantages to churches, the organization's pamphlet said, are numerous.

First, by helping others the church is achieving a positive result. Secondly, it helps change the lives of those in need. And third, it benefits community relations by helping congregations organize a ministry to help serve people in need.

The first organizational meeting is being held on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. at the Crossroads Community Church's administrative office, which is located at 7010 E. Bogard Road.

Representatives from the national organization are coming to talk with people interested in getting the local chapter up and running, Abarta said.

For more information about the program or about the organizational process, interested people can contact Abarta at 745-6701.

Following the development meeting, organization members will receive training from the national office in how to most effectively identify and help those in need.

The national office is headquartered in Minneapolis.

For more information about the national organization, interested people can visit the Web site www.loveinc.org.