In its 10th year, Love INC balloons to new heights
In celebrating its 10th year of serving Holmes County, the staff and volunteers from Love In the Name of Christ of Greater Holmes County planted a unique-looking tree to commemorate the celebration that took place at Martins Creek Mennonite Church.
Rather than planting a tree, the organization went an alternate route, making a balloon tree that saw them invite the many people who have made an impact on the organization to add a helium balloon to their makeshift tree.
Once the evening ceremony was complete, the tree was filled with a variety of shades of blue, silver and gray balloons that showcased how many different people, churches and organizations have played a role in the organization’s outreach ministry to aid families throughout Holmes County.
The evening celebration began with a meal of finger foods while several volunteers brought in some snacks that were the center of a fundraiser. In addition, Love INC displayed many items of photos, memorabilia and news articles from each year of its 10 years.
Once those in attendance gathered in the sanctuary, the program turned its attention to celebrating the many arms of Love INC and all the volunteers, churches and other organizations that have made a positive impact on the growth of its programs.
Vicki Conn, executive director of Love INC, welcomed everyone and expressed her gratitude for all the partnerships Love INC has developed over the past decade.
“Tonight is a night to remember,” Conn said. “Tonight we are celebrating as one in Christ, joining together with one unified effort to spread the light and hope of Jesus to our community.”
Conn said the purpose of Love INC as it dove into service 10 years ago was to mobilize the area churches to transform lives and communities, and that effort remains the same today.
“Tonight is about celebrating and remembering the presence and the work of God by remembering what has taken place over the past 10 years,” Conn said. “We are encouraged as we ready ourselves to be launched into the next 10 years.”
Program emcee Dave Mast then invited numerous people to join him on stage to share their thoughts and memories of the past decade, beginning with Pastor Jay Conn and Ken Smailes, who were part of the initial group of pastors in the Holmes County Ministerial Association who dedicated themselves to uniting with Love INC 10 years ago.
“Nothing has brought together the churches of Holmes County more than Love INC,” Jay Conn said. “It has to do with the way we connect with one another.”
Smailes said two words come to mind when thinking about what Love INC has done, those being unity and transformation.
Next were Chad Stutzman and David A Miller, both of whom were part of the initial Love INC development team.
They spoke about getting different denominations and churches excited about the possibilities, interviewed agencies, and helped build partnerships that led to the community kickoff event on June 13, 2014.
“I loved the idea from the beginning,” Stutzman said. “Our development team was a diverse group of people with different backgrounds, and our job was to set up the organization, and we talked about the types of individuals who should be on the board who could best help the organization. One of the easiest things was hiring Vicki.”
He said bringing churches together in a community isn’t an easy undertaking, but this community seemed to relish the idea.
Michelle Young then shared a message via video, sharing her thoughts on the joy that accompanied being part of the organization as its first Connection Center coordinator, who fields calls from the community seeking support.
“It was exciting to see this thing of churches coming together instead of working as an island, seeing them using their gifts and talents and resources and looking for the greater good to draw people together as a family of God,” Young said.
Then Conn began taking those in attendance through a journey of love that included many people in the community who gave their time, labor, skills and love to developing the organization. One by one people who have been an integral part of the growth of Love INC came forward to share.
The list was lengthy, and as Conn invited those who shared in the growth to add a balloon to the Love INC tree, it appeared as though it would float away.
Conn continued her trek through the past, fleshing out the details of those who helped build ministries like the GAP Ministry, Wheels of Love, Fresh Start, the Furniture Ministry and many others.
Young encouraged those who desire to serve others to give Love INC a call.
“I encourage people to get involved,” she said. “Try different things. There are so many different ways we can serve through Love INC that it covers all of our giftings.”
Finally, Greg Neumeyer from Deeper Walk Ministries in Indiana shared some thoughts of encouragement and gratitude for the organization.
“I encourage you to press on,” he said to Conn and the staff. “I’m glad to hear the stories shared here tonight, stories of perseverance, determination and faithfulness to keep your eyes wide open and hands ready to serve wherever and however the opportunities are presented. This (first decade) is only the beginning of Love INC’s story. These 10 years are just the first 10 years. Be patient, be deliberate, keep your hand in God’s hand and know that everything is in his timing.”