Volunteers

July 24 2019

Marshall, spending his nights on a small sofa for far too long

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Churches, Volunteers

This morning’s team from St. Mark Lutheran delivered love in the name of Christ to Marshall, an elderly man who has spent his nights on a small sofa for far too long. He’ll sleep on a new bed tonight. Melissa just received custody of her baby boy. He will come home to his Momma soon. Because of the caring people from St. Mark, she now has a beautiful baby swing, clothes, and blankets. The Evans family, after living out of their car for weeks, are no longer homeless. We’re helping them set up their new home and getting the children off the floor. Thank you to Christ Church for their generous grant to purchase new mattresses! And THANK YOU to all our volunteers representing over 20 area churches. It’s a wonderful thing to care for our community while working together to love others in the name of Christ.

Nancy Dickinson & Ron Gebhardt

Nancy ‐ our first contact with neighbors in need represents Long Grove Community.
Ron ‐ a retired delivery team member from Life Bridge is known for serving up hugs and Rhubard!

Linda Lash, loving in the name of Christ

June 26 2019

The Love INC Challenge is ON

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Events, Volunteers

Linda Lash, one of our caring and dedicated volunteers, knows how to Love in the name of Christ! After taking the time to listen to the challenges of several neighbors in need, Linda prayed and offered them a Christ-centered conversation. Linda’s weekend included volunteering at Child Evangelism Fellowship, Judson College, The Salvation Army, and a church plant in Round Lake! Linda is setting a pretty high bar for us all!

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?
Email kjohnson@loveincsouthwest.org and reserve your Loving INC T-shirt today!
“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24.

Email us for more information.

February 12 2019

Toting God’s Grace: Loving Covers sews up a perfect way to carry God’s love

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Volunteers

Not all food pantries offer bags and boxes to carry food home. That got us thinking. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone hand-crafted tote bags for our neighbors in need? Not only would it be a practical gift, it would be an expression of love from one caring person to another.

Thank you Loving Covers for the 25 beautifully handmade tote bags. Each one represents your creativity and concern as you have loved others as yourselves. It’s a wonderful way to carry God’s love into the lives of our neighbors.

Whether you enjoy sewing or knitting, whatever your education and experience, there’s a place for you to help share God’s Grace at Love INC Southwest. Just click to connect! We would love to see what new project might bind us together as we seek to serve and transform lives in His name.

Kristen “Moxie” Johnson

Executive Director

January 28 2019

Serving Saturday…loving neighbors as ourselves

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Volunteers

Volunteers meet up at our warehouse on the last Saturday of every month. Join the team as they deliver the Dignity of a Decent Bed and offer practical help in the name of Christ.

Join us for our next Serving Saturday!
February 23rd from 8:30-10:00 AM

Tours and on-site projects are available at our warehouse located in the industrial park 1000 Brown Street-Unit 312-Wauconda

Church groups welcome!

847-469-8835

January 21 2019

Volunteering Adds Up!

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Volunteers

Every hour a volunteer invests in our ministry expands our ability to serve. When all of us work collectively, it really adds up. This year, according to the Independent Sector, the value of a volunteer hour, is $24.69.

Last year, our volunteers served 2300 hours and that’s a $56,787 gift! THANK YOU!

The more volunteers we have, the more we can love in the name of Christ. It’s that simple. We need YOU!

December 3 2018

The friendliness…it’s awesome!

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Volunteers

Our workshops are a great way for neighbors to come together, share ideas and encourage one another. Last Saturday, a great group braved the cold rain and windy weather to gather around our table.

As I worked through recipes to share, I thought I was just serving up some good ideas. Crock Pots have always been a great way to save time and money. Then I realized God was serving up something special. Volunteers showed up with inspired ingredients to share God’s grace. Hand-sewn reversible aprons, brand-new crock pots, a basket filled with kitchen utensils and dozens of beautiful cookbooks arrived just in time to shower six wonderful women with God’s grace.

Their stories are varied, but all have one thing in common. They feel the joy of Jesus through us. After the workshop, here’s what they shared with us. I enjoyed the positive vibe and all the interaction with everyone. I feel like I’m part of the Love INC family. I appreciate all the help, calls and concern.

Please, take a moment and sponsor a square of our Christmas quilt. Join together and grow our ability to offer comfort and care in the name of Christ this Christmas!

Gratefully,
Kristen “Moxie” Johnson

October 24 2018

What Does it take to Deliver Love?

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Volunteers

Thank you to Raymond Chevrolet for the use of their truck! Jeff and Pete, our great team from St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, were able to deliver love in the name of Christ with the help of this courtesy vehicle. Mattresses, blessing baskets, home kits-enough to bless two families fit perfectly.

As they headed out for the delivery, I was reminded of everyone who had a hand in this moment. The initial conversation started with one volunteer, the beds were ordered through a generous grant, the frames were donated by another individual. The home kit was pieced together beautifully, quilted from the remnants of several families in the middle of downsizing.

Our ability to deliver love in the name of Christ depends on the generous effort of many. It is the body of Christ working together to deliver love.

This is the body of Christ!

Kristen “Moxie” Johnson

Executive Director

July 3 2018

Delivering Help and Hope in the Name of Christ

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Volunteers

Home deliveries are so appreciated and they allow us to glimpse into the lives of our neighbors. Linda and Chantay delivered a box of food to a couple of women sharing an apartment. During the course of conversation, it was clear they needed more than just food. Mercy ministry is not an easy ministry. “It hurts the heart”, Chantay shared after seeing a simple bed on the floor made up of blankets and a few pillows.

Thanks to you, we can continue to care and deliver dignity with Love in the Name of Christ. We’ll be returning with a beautiful bed including linens and pillows. That delivery is only possible through the combined efforts of generous donors and over 40 volunteers from 15 partnership churches.

Thank you for your part in our family!

Kristen “Moxie” Johnson
Executive Director

June 15 2018

Acts of Worship

Kristen "Moxie" Johnson Neighbors In Need, Volunteers

Our offices and warehouse became a house of worship last Sunday as Fusion came together to Love In the Name of Christ. After an overview of our ministry, groups rotated through activities including Jars of Change and Compassion Cards. We’ve already sent out several of these crazy creative cards to our neighbors. Jars of Change went home with families to gather donations and serve as a reminder to pray for our neighbors in need.

An assembly line formed in the warehouse putting together summer-themed blessing baskets with an invitation to join Fusion’s fellowship next week. Filled with summer fun, bubbles and sunscreen, character bandaids and freezer pops, blessing baskets are just that extra way we can show love for others. Children gathered to pray specifically for each basket before volunteers took them out to our neighbors. This act of worship, delivering an unexpected gift, led to several meaningful and specific prayers as neighbors shared their stories and God’s people offered to pray. Loving…In the Name of Christ.

Join our vision and help us REACH 2000 families by 2020. Sponsor a service project, bring together a group of friends or simply give as your act of worship. With everyone working together, we can offer authentic care and compassion In the Name of Christ and to glory of God.

Kristen “Moxie” Johnson