Partnering Churches

Love in the Name of Christ is a ministry of its partner churches.  Love INC is not a parachurch ministry; rather, it is an extension of the partner churches’ outreach and compassion in their communities.

Love INC of the Tanana Valley is a network of partnering churches, working together to mobilize church volunteers to meet the needs of their neighbors. The desire and philosophy of Love INC is to facilitate church members to do the work of Christian ministry as prescribed in Scripture.  Love INC seeks to offer assistance to congregations in developing and/or improving meaningful outreach in our community.

Churches partner with Love INC on varying levels but to be a full partner with Love INC means that a church:

  • has appointed a Church Contact Person to serve as the liaison between the members of the congregation and Love INC
  • holds an annual “Love INC” event, usually during or after a worship service, or during a church education class – at this event, the ministry of Love INC is presented and members of the congregation are given the opportunity to sign up as Love INC volunteers
  • encourages Love INC participation in the church
  • provides a volunteer to serve in the Love INC office or Clearinghouse
  • participates in the financial support of Love INC
  • participates in the Love INC prayer chain
  • helps with Love INC Ministry Projects and Programs when possible

Here are some quick facts about our partner churches:

1.  There are no “membership dues.”  Participating churches are a part of the Love INC network by choice.  Each Love INC church is given the opportunity to help support Love INC through the church’s benevolence budget, but churches are not “required” to “pay” any set amount.

2.  The pastor does not coordinate the church’s participation with Love INC.  That’s one of the ministry opportunities – each church appoints a Church Contact Person to be the liaison between Love INC and the church volunteers.

3.  Client needs are matched to church volunteers through a Talent Tithe.  Each year, church members indicate on this form what services they are interested in providing for people in need in our area.  The Church Contact Person uses this list to know whom to call when Love INC notifies the church of a specific need.

4.  Love INC’s network includes large and small congregations.  Even if a church has only a few members, it can make a positive difference in our neighbors’ lives.

5.  The Love INC Board of Directors, staff and long-time volunteers are available to speak to a church’s leadership and congregation.  Love INC offers training, encouragement and feedback so the church knows it is making a difference in the Fairbanks North Star Borough.