As we approach the close of another year, I often find myself wrestling with how to share our message in fresh and meaningful ways. Each year I pray for new words, new stories, and new clarity to communicate the work God is doing through Love In the Name of Christ Heartland. It is a humbling responsibility to invite others into that work—and to ask them to give.

While preparing this final letter of the year, I spent time in prayer and Scripture, searching for a verse that captures both the heart of our ministry and the hope we witness through Christ’s love. Surprisingly, the verse that kept returning to me wasn’t from recent reading, but from childhood—a simple camp song that tucked Scripture deep into my heart.

I share it with you now, in the King James Version, just as I learned it: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” – Titus 3:5

Throughout Scripture, we are called to holy living. Paul often writes about taking off the old self and putting on the new—the transformation that comes through Christ. Yet how easily we twist even grace into a kind of law, imagining that our good deeds somehow make us more deserving of God’s love.

Just a couple verses earlier, Paul reminds us who we are apart from Christ: “For we ourselves also were once foolish, disobedient, deceived…” (Titus 3:3)

Sin and brokenness are universal. Whether through worldly pursuits or self-righteous striving, we all know what it is to try to fix ourselves.

That is what makes the next verse so powerful: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared…”

Transformation does not begin with us.

It begins with Jesus.

It is His mercy that regenerates and renews us.
It is His love that makes us new.
It is His Spirit who reshapes hearts and restores lives.

This truth is at the core of Love INC’s ministry.

It isn’t the meals we serve, the Christmas gifts we give, the diapers we distribute, oil changes, car repairs, birthday gifts, classes, mentoring, or letters we write. It isn’t the budgeting tools, the parenting classes, or even the prayers and volunteer hours.

All of these things are good—Paul would call them “works of righteousness”—but none of them can transform a life.

Only Jesus can do that.

As I write to you now, I know that no words of mine can compel generosity. Only the work of Christ in your heart can do that. My desire is simply to participate in the process as He stirs compassion, gratitude, and transformation.

Yet through your partnership—your time, talents, and treasures—we are able to walk alongside people in practical, relational, and deeply meaningful ways that open the door for His transforming work.

As we end this year and look ahead, I invite you to continue being part of what God is doing through Love INC. Your support makes it possible for us to enter into people’s lives and share the only thing that truly changes anything—the love God has shown us through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Will you prayerfully consider making a year-end gift and
continuing to walk with us in this ministry?

Together, we can reflect Christ’s kindness, meet practical needs, and witness the transformation that only He can bring. May the Lord of the Universe renew you, strengthen you, and draw you closer to Him in the coming year.

With Gratitude,

Jim Holmlund
Executive Director – Love INC Heartland
763-972-6547 | info@loveincheartland.org

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