Apr 14, 2025
Jim Holmlund, Executive Director of Love INC Heartland
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
— Psalm 139:13–14 (NIV)
As a follower of Christ, I speak with certainty that I am a child of God. I can say it with confidence, just like the Psalmist did: “I know that full well.” There’s no doubt in my heart that God has a purpose for me. And it’s not some mysterious, one-of-a-kind mission. It’s actually simple and beautiful: take the gifts He gave me and use them to share the love of Jesus.
Right now, that purpose has brought me to Love In the Name of Christ Heartland. That’s where I’ve chosen to use my gifts. And honestly, if you’re reading this, I want to remind you that your purpose looks a lot like mine. You’ve been handcrafted by God—the One who knit you together before you took your first breath—and He’s calling you to do the same. Use what you’ve been given to spread the love of Jesus, right where you are.
This beautiful image of God knitting us together makes me think of a song:
“There is a thread,
Running between,
The first and the last,
Breath that we breathe.
And in this strand
Of flesh and bone,
Resides the hopes
And dreams we call our own.
There’s a hand
That sews the threads together,
Around one strand
Of saving scarlet thread.”
— “Threads” by Geoff Moore & The Distance
In “Threads,” Geoff Moore sings about how we’re all woven together by the Father. We each carry our own hopes and dreams, and yet, we’re stitched together by the same scarlet thread—Jesus. That’s the heart of Easter, isn’t it? Jesus, God in flesh, lived among us and gave His life so that we could walk in forgiveness and unshakable hope. Hope that one day, we’ll live in a world without sin that entangles us to brokenness and separation from God—a world we were actually made for.
But what happens when we lose those hopes and dreams?
Life has a way of stealing them sometimes. Maybe you’ve felt that. I know I have. When I’m feeling worn down or like I’ve lost my way, this song brings me back. And more than anything, the love of Jesus and the promises He made keep me going.
A lot of the Neighbors we meet at Love INC Heartland come to us feeling like they’ve lost all hope. They’re fighting to make ends meet and lost in isolation with no support. They aren’t dreaming big—they’re just trying to get through the day. And that’s exactly where our mission starts: helping restore hope.
Because real transformation begins with Jesus. He is the hope we all need.
“Come as you are, weary, worn, and tattered.
Come and take your place among the threads.”
— “Threads” by Geoff Moore & The Distance
That’s the message of Jesus. In Luke 5:32 (NIV), He says, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” He didn’t show up for the people who believe they are right with God. He came for the broken ones, the lost, the ones who know they need help. That’s you. That’s me. That’s every single person who walks through our doors.
At Love INC Heartland, we carry that message into every conversation—with neighbors in need, volunteers, church partners, and supporters. Everything we do is grounded in the love of Christ. And we want you to be a part of it.
God is on the move here. He’s bringing families to us who are desperate for hope.
And we believe He’s calling people—maybe even you—to join in what He’s doing. Bring your time, your gifts, your energy. Come be part of something that’s changing lives through Jesus.
The song ends with this:
“There is a thread,
Sometimes unseen,
Moving through life’s tapestry.
And when this strand
Enters a soul,
It’s woven to the One that makes
Us whole.”
— “Threads” by Geoff Moore & The Distance
Only Jesus can truly make us whole. Without Him, our dreams are often hollow and fleeting. But when we’re connected to that scarlet thread, everything changes.
So come—if you’re feeling weary, worn, or unsure.
Take your place among the threads. Join us in this beautiful work of bringing hope and healing In the Name of Christ.
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Mar 31, 2025
For over 20 years, Love In the Name of Christ Heartland (Love INC Heartland) has been dedicated to transforming lives and communities In the Name of Christ.
We have grown to partner with 30 local churches to serve 15 Minnesota communities, including Delano, Howard Lake, Montrose, and Rockford. Through our impactful initiatives, we operate two thrift stores, provide assistance through our Connection Center helpline, and offer free life skills classes via our Fresh Start Program—helping individuals and families break free from hardship and build a brighter future.
Expanding Our Mission + Impact
Over the past three years, we’ve taken strategic steps to increase our brand awareness and expand our outreach efforts:
- Installed new exterior store and office signage featuring our updated logo.
- Refreshed local news releases, business listings, and community partnerships.
- And much more!
As we continue spreading the word about Love INC Heartland, we see God’s work through our ministry. The impact has been extraordinary:
- Our Needs Met* has increased by 100% over the past two years.
- Our Fresh Start Program* class sessions have nearly doubled.
- More families and individuals are finding hope, restoration, and community support.
Be Part of the Growth—Support & Stay Connected!
We invite you to be part of this journey. Support our mission, volunteer, donate, and stay engaged with our growing community. Follow us on social media to stay updated on upcoming events, success stories, and ways to get involved:
*Read more success stories and statistics in our 2024 Annual Report.
Mar 25, 2025
It’s time to celebrate! 
Thank you to members of Wright-Hennepin who have and continue to donate to local charities through the ORU program!
Mar 14, 2025
Before Tiffany* learned about Love INC Heartland, her life was chaotic, unstable, and lost. She was homeless, living with her boyfriend and their brand-new baby girl in the basement of a relative while experiencing postpartum depression. She was changing career choices from fast food back to assisted living. During this time, she moved three times in six months into the homes of family members while trying to come up with the money to get an apartment. Shortly after this, she chose to become a single parent in an attempt to escape an unhealthy environment.
She lost everything.
It was still tough for her to wrap her head around all the struggles she was experiencing along the way. She was trying to maneuver through life blindly, not truly understanding how unsafe of a lifestyle she was creating. One night, she remembered her teacher asking, “Where do you see yourself in 5 – 10 years?” The Holy Spirit spoke to her, saying, “Be vulnerable, allow God to set the pace, instead of yourself. This is all temporary.” She realized she was trying to control her life and her own plans. She wasn’t open to what God’s plan was for her. She began searching for a helpful and safe community to guide her through this new season of life.
That’s when Tiffany was connected to the Fresh Start Program.
She began to share with Lisa, the Fresh Start Program Director, what she was experiencing. Lisa was so patient the entire time, helping Tiffany set some goals without her even realizing it in the moment. Lisa could see the positive impact of this program and knew it was exactly what God intended for her.
This program helped Tiffany learn about who she was, what her strengths and challenges were, and how to overcome them. She was not the same person she had been five years ago. The Bible says: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
Without the Fresh Start Program, Tiffany wouldn’t have learned how to achieve her goals and dreams without their encouragement. By participating in this program, she transformed into someone who trusted God and gained better insight into how to take care of herself and her daughter physically, spiritually, emotionally, and financially.
Because of Fresh Start, Tiffany’s life was forever changed for the better.
She was able to cultivate an optimistic outlook on life. It gave her a chance to dream again about what her future could look like.
We are seeing lives transformed In the Name of Christ through Fresh Start!
Fresh Start is our transformational program designed to help participants learn new skills, set goals and reduce stress in their home through weekly classes. Classes are offered throughout the year and topics include, Affirming Potential, Faith & Finances, Parenting, And more!
Will you support this program?
A gift of $1,500 supports one participant for one year.
*Name has been changed to maintain confidentiality.
Feb 20, 2025
In November 2024, Love In the Name of Christ Heartland welcomed Sabrina (Sam) Gustafson as the Family Advocate. This staff role is not only vital to our organization but also essential to the operation of our Connection Center (helpline).
As the first point of contact for neighbors in need, the Family Advocate plays a crucial role in listening to their stories, understanding their challenges, and building meaningful relationships. These initial conversations lay the foundation for providing support and guiding individuals toward life transformation opportunities, including the courses available in our Fresh Start Program.
In addition to leading the Connection Center, the Family Advocate collaborates closely with our Church Partners and supports the year-round Gap Ministries that serve neighbors active with Love INC Heartland. Sam has already demonstrated a remarkable ability to connect with others and make a difference in this role.
Welcome to the Love INC Heartland family, Sam!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and/or hobbies you enjoy:
I love to be outside all weather can be nice. I enjoy bicycle riding and reading. Time with grandkids, super fun!
Do you have a favorite Bible verse or worship song? Take a moment to share:
I do not have a particular favorite verse the Bible is so full. One that is hanging by my desk is Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house, it’s builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stand guard in vain.
What is your favorite part about your job and why?
I like variety so choosing a particular part of my job as top is difficult. Opportunity to encourage others. I believe everyone needs encouragement along their life path. Pray it is encouragement In the Name of Christ.
It’s show-and-tell day! What’s in your work lunchbox or a special item on your desk?
I love children’s artwork. above my desk is this drawing by my 6 year old granddaughter.
How has God transformed you through the work you have been doing?
Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
My job includes planting seeds of HOPE, VALUE, and WORTH. God is helping me to see the hope, value and worth of those he brings along my path.
Jan 17, 2025
1 Kings 19:11-13
The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.”
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind, there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.
As I reflect on 2024 for Love INC Heartland, it was a year of blessings, challenges, lives touched and changed, and meaningful relationships.
In short, it was a year in ministry.
In life, in work, and in all things, it is easy to get caught up in what seems to demand the most attention. For example, in 2024, we operated with a vacancy in one ministry staff position. This placed an extra burden on other staff and volunteers to carry the load. We also spent significant time, energy, and effort conducting searches for a store manager at our Howard Lake Thrift Store—twice! Then there were the trials of relationships, processes, and other challenges Satan uses to undermine what God intends for good.
It’s easy to get caught up in it all. It’s easy to get distracted. It’s easy to miss or even forget what God is doing and where He truly resides.
A while ago, I was sitting at my desk, contemplating an issue that required attention.
On my desk calendar, I wrote the word “Whisper.”
In 1 Kings 19, Elijah was on the run. He had just defeated the prophets of Baal at Mt. Carmel, but now, fearing for his life, he was fleeing from King Ahab and Jezebel. Elijah was at the point of wanting to give up. Struggles in any area of life can drain our physical, emotional, and spiritual resources. But God didn’t let Elijah give up. He provided nourishment and sent Elijah on a journey—a journey that lasted 40 days.
Elijah arrived at a cave on Mt. Horeb, the Mountain of God, where he rested. I love what happens next: God says, “Elijah, what are you doing here?”—as if God didn’t already know.
Elijah poured out his heart, telling the Lord everything he had done for Him and how he now felt all alone, running for his life.
God instructed Elijah to stand on the mountain and wait for Him to pass by.
Sometimes it’s easy to see God in the big, dramatic moments. Elijah waited for God in a windstorm. He stood on the mountain through an earthquake. He searched for God in a raging fire. Yet, God was not in any of those moments.
Then Elijah heard a whisper.
Upon hearing it, he immediately pulled his cloak over his face.
I’m not sure what God’s exact intent was for Elijah as he waited through the storm, the earthquake, and the fire. But I do know it makes a powerful metaphor for us. The Lord of the Universe is not always in the storms, earthquakes, and fires of life—but He is ever present in the whispers of truth.
I am proud to say that Love INC Heartland is an organization of staff, board members, volunteers, and churches that earnestly seek the Lord in the whisper. Here are some ways God whispered His presence to us in 2024:
- Clients: We served 124 families, up from 93 families in 2023—an increase of 33%.
- Needs Met: With the increase in families served, we also saw an increase in needs met. In 2024, we met 6,633 needs—1,200 more than in 2023 and a 100% increase since 2022.
- GAP Ministries: Each need was met through one of our partner churches’ GAP Ministries. In 2024, we saw growth in our Prayer Ministry and the creation of a new Mattress Ministry.
- Volunteers: Volunteers contributed 9,700 hours, the highest number since before COVID. Thank you to all of our past and present volunteers. Our ministry would not be possible without you!!
- New Staff: At the end of 2024, God brought us Sabrina Gustafson as our new Family Advocate. A long-time volunteer, Mary Schlief, accepted the Store Manager position at our Howard Lake location.
- Financial Resources: To accomplish all these God-ordained tasks, we needed financial resources. In 2024, we saw a 37% increase in support from individuals, along with a significant memorial gift.
God’s whisper is powerful. His message to Elijah was clear. Elijah knew what he had to do next—he had to get back to work. He couldn’t run anymore.
We are confident in our mission and know what God has called Love In the Name of Christ Heartland to do.
We are here to serve people, serve churches, and serve each other.
We believe there are great things happening in the whispers of God.
Come be involved:
Since the fall of humankind, God’s plan has been one of redemption and restoration amidst the winds, earthquakes, and fires of life. Join an organization that seeks to be part of God’s plan.
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