More Than A Thrift Store

Written By Jim Holmlund

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

I have been at Love In the Name of Christ for over two years. When I first arrived here, I sensed we had a big, bright light to share with the rest of the world. We had a story to tell, and people wanted to hear it. A story that if people heard, they would rally to our mission. However, circumstances of life and a pandemic put a cover over that light. The work still went on, but the message began to fade.

The passage above comes from Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount. I bet that was a happy time for Him. His ministry was blossoming, and He had all these people there who wanted to be fed some solid spiritual food. The old system of sacrifices and penance to earn forgiveness did not change people’s hearts. The acts of self-justification were filled with selfishness and arrogance and were empty of truth and relationship.

Then Jesus tells his people, “You are the light of the world.” He tells them to stand up and be seen. Let the world see your light and take off the lampshade so the world can see your deeds and glorify our Father in heaven. I like to think that we are a reflection of Jesus’ light, and at Love INC Heartland we share that light.

Will you help us continue to share the Light of Jesus? Donate any amount today.

At Love In the Name of Christ we are telling our story. I often hear… “Oh, you are the Thrift Store People”… That is when I smile and say, “Oh, we are much more than a thrift store!”

At Love In the Name of Christ, we change lives.

People come to us in a financial crisis and leave us with the truth of Jesus. We connect our neighbors in need with the gifts of God’s church. Sometimes, that is in the form of meeting material needs, such as diapers for their baby, bedding, clothing, car repair, or personal care items. We provide material goods to soften the crisis until we can build relationships with them and join them in their struggle.

We can only speak the truth of Jesus to people if we are willing to build relationships with them.

We need your help growing this ministry to build relationships with the neighbors we help. Consider giving any amount of $25, $50, $175, $550, or more today.

You see, this ministry is about relationships with people. Relationships take time to build. When you support Love INC with your time, talents, and financial resources, you create more opportunities for us to connect and build relationships with people in difficult financial situations.

Jesus stood on the side of that mountain, giving the world something they had never encountered before. He laid the foundation for His grace, love, and desire to be close to his people. He shared radical ideas like loving your enemy, turning the other cheek, stopping worrying, and judging others. He invites us to ask, seek, and knock, and the Father will provide all we need.

At Love In the Name of Christ, we help alleviate poverty in a way at which the current social climate would scoff. We not only share material goods with the financially marginalized…We invest in them as people. We are bold enough to ask them the radical question….” What do you have?”

The God of the universe doesn’t make junk, and all people have gifts and talents to offer. We are brave enough to tell those in financial need, “We want to help you see and use your gifts and talents!!!”

Will you support us while we let Jesus work His transformational change in people? Donate any amount today.

It is hard for people to see change in their lives when they do not fully understand their value. That is Jesus’ message to us:  I love you enough to tell you forgiving yourself and forgiving others is key in your life. I love you enough to die on the cross and take your sins on my shoulders. I love you enough to say, “I forgive you.” I love you enough to tell you that you have value. This was Jesus’ message to us in that sermon, His ministry, and His Resurrection. I love the resurrection power!!

Our mission is really that simple. We tell people they are loved and that they have value. We remind them Jesus knows their value. We walk beside them until that relationship can be restored. We help people move from darkness to the light. 

These are the good deeds we strive for at Love In the Name of Christ. These are the things I want to put on the lampstand and let our light shine to the world. These are the things that show who Jesus is to the world.

We need your financial support! Give any amount of $25, $50, $175, $550, or more today.

Love In the Name of Christ Heartland needs $30,000 to balance our budget in 2023. When you support Love In the Name of Christ, you support the mission field in your community. We are often the only Jesus with whom people come into contact. People in need are willing to ask, and we are eager to share.

I encourage you to help the ministry of Love INC Heartland to stay financially strong. Our work is vital to helping people make transformational change in our communities. Help us help people make the type of change only the Resurrected Lord of the Universe can make.

In Christ,

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

P.S. Year-end is an important time for our ministry. There are so many people we can serve with your help. Please consider a generous donation of $25, $50, $100, $250, or more by December 31, 2023. Donations can be made online at www.LoveINCHeartland.org/donate or by mailing a check to:

Love INC Heartland
PO Box 143
Delano, MN 55328