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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:

  • Pray
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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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