Love Inc. develops in SE Missouri

Several local churches and community organizations have joined together to bring in a program meant to help them connect with people in need.

Love Inc., or Love in the Name of Christ, is a not-for-proft organization with networks located in 120 communities across the country. It was formed 25 years ago as a way to encourage churches to become more engaged with those in need and to inspire Christians to put their faith into action.

Love Inc. will have its first informational meeting for pastors and lay leaders from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1820 Perryville Road in Cape Girardeau. A training session for those who want to be involved will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the church.

Denis Rigdon, CEO of Project HOPE. in Cape Girardeau, United Way of Southeast Missouri executive director Nancy Jernigan, Denise Wimp of First Call for Help and local church pastors began meeting a year ago with the goal of forming a Love Inc. network in the area. Rigdon previously worked with Love Inc. in Branson, Mo.

"It's going to provide one direct link for those needing help making a life plan and help get them to where they need to be in their lives," Rigdon said. "It will help churches locate the people who are in need of these services."

Love Inc. will create a central location for local churches to come together as one network, Rigdon said.

"It's going to stop the vicious cycle that people go through to find help," he said. "It's also going to provide a great opportunity for congregations to help others reach for dignity in their lives."

Before the organization can begin operation, church pastors and lay leaders will undergo training sessions. The sessions will train the volunteers how to assess what type of help is needed and to create an operational design to link together churches' outreach ministry programs.

"Often one church alone cannot deal with all of the complex issues of a community," Rigdon said. "It takes congregations working together, across denominational lines, to meet these multifaceted needs."

Local churches can organize volunteers and join other congregations' social ministry services through Love Inc.

"This will bring people from the pews together to advocate something that is needed in the community," Rigdon said.

For more information, contact Jernigan at 334-9634 or Rigdon at 651-0551.

jfreeze@semissourian.com