Written by Jim Holmlund, Executive Director of Love INC Heartland
For the past four years, I have written these quarterly updates to share how Love INC Heartland is partnering with local churches to transform lives. I have also included reminders of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. This quarter’s letter is a little different.
Over the past several months, I have been away from Love INC Heartland due to unexpected medical issues. Doctors discovered an aortic aneurysm along with a faulty aortic valve. Thanks to advances in medical technology, skilled surgeons, compassionate nurses, and an incredible support system of family and friends, I received the care I needed.
While I was recovering, something else became very clear to me: Love INC Heartland continued.
The ministry continued serving our neighbors. Churches continued responding to needs. Volunteers continued loving people well. Our staff and Board stepped into additional responsibilities with grace and dedication, even when they faced unexpected challenges too. The mission of mobilizing local churches to transform lives never stopped.
For that, I am deeply grateful.
During my recovery, I spent time reading Psalm 138. One verse seemed written just for this season of my life:
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life. You stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes; with your right hand you save me. –Psalm 138:7 NIV
Those words have taken on new meaning for me. A ruptured aortic aneurysm often leaves little opportunity for survival. I easily could have become another statistic. Instead, I believe God preserved my life. Through His provision, His people, and His grace, He stretched out His mighty hand and sustained me.
As I reflected on that truth, I was reminded that God’s plan has always been life.
From the beginning of creation, our Father designed us for life with Him. Even after sin entered the world, He set into motion His plan of redemption through Jesus Christ—a plan that restores hope today and promises eternal life. His desire has always been to redeem, restore, and make all things new.
That eternal hope also gives purpose to our lives today.
Each of us has been created with gifts, abilities, and a calling. David was called to lead Israel as king. I believe God has called me to serve through Love INC Heartland. The question I continue to ask myself—and one I would encourage you to consider—is this:
What has God called you to do?
At Love INC, we often walk alongside people who have never been encouraged to ask that question. Many of our neighbors are facing difficult circumstances, but just as challenging is the belief that they have little to offer. Some have never been told they have God-given gifts. They have never been invited to use their talents to bless others.
We believe restoring hope means more than meeting immediate needs. It also means helping people discover the gifts God has placed within them and inviting them to participate in His work. Transformation happens when people begin to see themselves not simply as recipients of help but as valued members of the Body of Christ with unique gifts to share.
That is why Love INC does more than connect people with resources. We connect people with the local Church. We connect neighbors with relationships. We connect people with opportunities to discover purpose and to use the gifts God has given them.
In the end, we cannot change hearts. We cannot save lives. We cannot manufacture hope.
We can only reflect the love of Jesus.
Thank you for walking alongside us. I am grateful to be back, grateful for God’s faithfulness, and grateful that together we have the privilege of reflecting His love to our neighbors.
As we look back on the first half of 2026, we are reminded that every number represents a person created in the image of God—a neighbor with a story, a struggle, and a purpose.
So far this year:
- 37 new families have reached out to Love INC Heartland.
- 14 families have completed our intake process and begun their journey with us.
- 1,008 requests have been shared with our church partners.
- 1,183 needs have been met through the generosity of volunteers and congregations.
- Volunteers have faithfully given 3,994 hours of their time.
- 30 families have participated in 92 Redemptive Compassion class sessions.
These are more than statistics.
They represent lives being changed, relationships being built, and hope being restored through Jesus Christ. They represent churches working together as the Body of Christ, each using the gifts God has given them to love their neighbors well.
Thank you for being part of this ministry. Whether you pray, volunteer, give financially, or serve through your local church, you are part of God’s work of restoring lives and revealing His love. Together, may we continue to reflect the love of Jesus, helping others discover the hope, purpose, and abundant life found only in Him.
Jim Holmlund
Executive Director, Love INC Heartland
Our Impact In 2026
Overall stats for Love INC Heartland as of June 30, 2026.
- 1,008 Requests
- 1,183 Needs Met
- 3,994 Volunteer Hours
- $27,452 Gifts Given
Requests: Asks for help made to the Connection Center or Fresh Start Program.
Needs Met: People helped from requests made to the Connection Center or Fresh Start Program. One request may meet the needs of several people in a family.
Gifts Given: The value of gifts given to families and individuals active with Love INC Heartland. Gifts are given through Gap Ministries or Fresh Start Program. Examples: gas cards, diapers, clothing vouchers, furniture vouchers.
Volunteer Hours: Volunteer hours of all areas- Connection Center, Fresh Start Program, Board of Directors, Gap Ministries, Thrift Store, Fundraising Events, and more.
Fresh Start Program
Transformational Ministry stats as of June 30, 2026.
- 62 Mentor Meetings
- 1,208 Volunteer Hours
- 92 Class Sessions
Fresh Start Mentor Meetings: One-on-one meetings with a volunteer.
Fresh Start Volunteer Hours: Amount of time a volunteer has donated to Fresh Start Program.
Fresh Start Class Sessions: Each individual class.
Thank You For Your Support!
Thank you for being part of this ministry.
Whether you pray, volunteer, give financially, or serve through your local church, you are part of God’s work of restoring lives and revealing His love. Together, may we continue to reflect the love of Jesus, helping others discover the hope, purpose, and abundant life found only in Him.
