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MORE INFO
Let's start by saying that our Call Center and Gap Ministries are not going away. The Call Center is the "front door" of Love INC and we want to actually expand the number of people being served. But starting this spring, clients will also have the opportunity to participate in free, volunteer-led classes to help break cycles of need and awaken hope for the future. We’re calling our program "Grow Together."
Grow Together classes are not intended to replace discipleship within churches. The Love INC program is geared for our neighbors in need who may be experiencing poverty on many levels: material, emotional, relational and spiritual. It’s designed as an entry point for folks who may have never set foot in a church but who are open to improving their lives and hopefully come to know Christ in the process. Tangible outcomes may include: reduced debt, stronger relationships, healthier lifestyles, job interview skills, and more.
Having said that, classes will also be open to church and community members who are not in need of product or mentoring supports. One reason is that we know transformation happens best in community and we want to break down any “us and them” paradigms that may hinder the work of the gospel (for example: churched vs. non-churched; low income vs. middle class). A second reason is that all of us can benefit from learning opportunities. And third, anyone who wants to volunteer as a teacher or mentor will be asked to complete the Affirming Potential class as a participant first, as part of their training.
Eventually all class facilitators and mentors will be volunteers, and participants will interact with believers from churches all over Benton County. If that’s not John 17 in action, we don’t know what is!
By this fall we will have two classes available. Affirming Potential is a biblical class that helps individuals see themselves as a person created by God with value and potential. Faith and Finances is a personal finance class geared especially for low-income learners. And next year, we’ll begin offering elective classes in areas such as boundaries, parenting, nutrition, etc. for people who want to continue growing together.
Grow Together classes are not intended to replace discipleship within churches. The Love INC program is geared for our neighbors in need who may be experiencing poverty on many levels: material, emotional, relational and spiritual. It’s designed as an entry point for folks who may have never set foot in a church but who are open to improving their lives and hopefully come to know Christ in the process. Tangible outcomes may include: reduced debt, stronger relationships, healthier lifestyles, job interview skills, and more.
Having said that, classes will also be open to church and community members who are not in need of product or mentoring supports. One reason is that we know transformation happens best in community and we want to break down any “us and them” paradigms that may hinder the work of the gospel (for example: churched vs. non-churched; low income vs. middle class). A second reason is that all of us can benefit from learning opportunities. And third, anyone who wants to volunteer as a teacher or mentor will be asked to complete the Affirming Potential class as a participant first, as part of their training.
Eventually all class facilitators and mentors will be volunteers, and participants will interact with believers from churches all over Benton County. If that’s not John 17 in action, we don’t know what is!
By this fall we will have two classes available. Affirming Potential is a biblical class that helps individuals see themselves as a person created by God with value and potential. Faith and Finances is a personal finance class geared especially for low-income learners. And next year, we’ll begin offering elective classes in areas such as boundaries, parenting, nutrition, etc. for people who want to continue growing together.
attend A GROW TOGETHER FORUM
Curious to learn more about our Grow Together Program? You're invited to join us for a Q&A Zoom meeting! Please register below for the day/time that works best for you.