Relational Ministry Training

This week, Gallatin County Love INC will take a significant step in its life: it will receive training from the National Headquarters to become a Level II affiliate. In other words, it will be receive the tools to prepare for, launch and implement Relational Ministry in our area.

Relational Ministry is a longer-term ministry involvement with clients that includes teaching and mentoring on a variety of life-skills topics while holding clients accountable and supporting them through our faith, prayer and material means. It is all accomplished by volunteers from partner churches, so it can develop in Gallatin County only according to the goals and desires of our partners.

For many years, Gallatin County Love INC has been working hard to have the pieces in place to implement Relational Ministry. This year, after a self-assessment against best practices, after an examination and approval by the National Headquarters, and after much prayer, we have been given the green light to take the next step. The training this week is the culmination of the contributions of many hard-working and generous Christians (volunteers, donors, pastors, board members and staff) and partner churches that want to do more.

Relational Ministry is important, because it can transform the lives of the Christians involved in it, as well as the lives of hurting neighbors who need churches to lead them to wholeness.

The training, held in Hudsonville, Michigan, will be attended by Nancy VanDyken (Executive Director), Jim Good (Coordinator of Volunteers), Joyce Kamp (Board Member) and Rev. Bryan Clark (Gallatin Valley Presbyterian Church). Please ask God to bless the training and Relational Ministry as it develops in Gallatin County.

Library Opens

Biblio-tek, the Love INC library, is now open. The library hours are 10 am - 4 pm, Monday-Friday. The library stocks Christian books.

In the near future, we will have a way for patrons to access the library before and after normal hours. We will also have a computer with Internet access in the next few weeks (currently not available).

Books in Biblio-tek are available for reading or checking out. Currently, books are checked out and returned on an honor system. Please try to have books returned within 3 weeks of checking them out. First-time library patrons are asked to fill out an information card.

The library is located at 101 E. Oak Street in Bozeman (the door faces west). Watch for an upcoming grand opening, but meanwhile, you may use and enjoy Biblio-tek!

Utility Shelving Needed

Love INC is blessed to have been selected to receive some substantial in-kind donations from businesses and corporations, to arrive soon. These items will benefit needy families right here in Gallatin County.

Our landlord has graciously offered space in a warehouse setting for storage of the items between the time we receive them and the time they are placed with clients.

We need utility shelving to store the items in the warehouse. If you or someone you know could provide some utility shelving, please contact Love INC. It doesn't have to be fancy. Used shelving that is still sturdy would work. Either wood or metal shelving is acceptable.

This shelving will be put to good use - enabling church volunteers to continue to serve our neighbors in need!

Annual Meeting Report

Early on an icy, snowy October morning, pastors, Church Ministry Coordinators, the Love INC Board, staff, and dedicated volunteers gathered to conduct Love INC business (and to enjoy breakfast and fellowship).

The Annual Meeting, held today, is a regular business meeting of partner churches, as required by Love INC by-laws. Thank you to everyone rose so early and braved the weather!

Representatives from the partner churches elected the 2010 Board of Directors: Larry Addink, Bill Harn, Rev. Jim Jenkins, Joyce Kamp, Rev. Bill Kern, Judy Kingma, Kim Lambrecht, and Larry Sonnenberg.

Any additional members to begin their term in January 2010 will be approved by the elected board.

The group recognized the contributions of retiring Board member, Jim DeJong and thanked him for his tireless service.

Board President Larry Addink addressed the group, stressing the importance of the Love INC ministry in Gallatin County, especially since poverty in our area would otherwise remain more "hidden" and more difficult for churches to connect with in the absence of the linking ministry of Love INC.

Kim Lambrecht, Treasurer, reported on the financial condition of Love INC.

Nancy VanDyken, Executive Director, reviewed the ministry activities and developments of 2008 and 2009. She outlined the direction Love INC has been working toward since its inception, God's provision along the way, and how Love INC will seek to implement a new phase in its life in 2010: becoming a Level II, Relational Ministry, affiliate.

Many thanks to Love INC partner, Christ the King Lutheran Church, for hosting the Annual Meeting again this year! And thanks to everyone who helped and participated in this important business meeting, ensuring the continued health of Gallatin County Love INC.