Uniting Churches Through Gap Ministries
Written by Sabrina Gustafson, Family Advocate of the Connection Center
At Love In the Name of Christ Heartland, it is our mission to mobilize the churches to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ. The Christmas Store is an example of this mission in action.
The Christmas Store is a Gap Ministry led by WestPointe Church in partnership with Love INC Heartland to serve neighbors in need. A team of dedicated and innovative volunteers create a store for Love INC Heartland families. The store is stocked through donations from area churches and the community. Parents of children ages 0-18 shop at no cost for toys and gifts to give their children for Christmas.
The volunteers of the Christmas Store reflect the same love Christ brought to us by setting aside His riches in heaven and coming to us as a child.
Christmas is a time of celebration for all of us. We exchange gifts that represent the most amazing gift of all, Jesus! Born in a stable, the embodiment of our state.
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. You know that Christ was rich, but for you he became poor. Christ did this so that by his being poor you might become rich. – 2 Corinthians 8:9 ICB
Parents are appreciative of this extra help during the season of Christmas when finances can be even more stressed than usual. Those who donate time, product, ideas, and inspiration are an intentional example of Christ at Christmas. All are drawn closer to Christ through the event.
The festive nature of this Gap Ministry, filling bags with gifts, hearts with love, and minds with gratefulness, carries on throughout the year. Case Managers and Family Advocates in our communities have shared stories of how helpful and unique the Christmas Store has been for the families they are working with.
The Christmas Store fulfills the vision of Love INC, which is, to see the Christian churches united in purpose and fully engaged in actively living out their faith by lovingly serving people in need in their communities.
All In the Name of Christ!
Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:11 NET
