National Restructuring

Gallatin County Love INC is an independent non-profit organization, registered in the State of Montana.  It is also affiliated with a national movement called, "Love In the Name of Christ."  This national movement has been guided by the work of a national Board of Directors and a national headquarters (an office with staff).  The national office has provided resources, held up best practices, offered training, and promoted the vision of Love INC across the country.  Still, Gallatin County Love INC is its own local non-profit; as a network of Gallatin County Christian churches that work together to meet needs in our own community, we are governed and run totally on a local basis.  Local volunteers serve their neighbors in need through the ministry of Gallatin County Love INC.  Our funds are raised locally and used to serve local residents. 

There is news on the national level, though: the national headquarters office closed at the end of January.  This closing was due to a lack of funding for the national office. 

Clients, volunteers, supporters, staff and partner churches of Gallatin County Love INC will not experience a change in our local operations.  We plan to continue to grow Relational Ministry throughout 2011 and to continue to serving our neighbors in need through the generous time, talents and resources of local Christians and their churches.   Gallatin County Love INC is healthy and growing, thanks be to God!

Although the national office has closed, the national organization (the non-profit entity representing the national Love INC movement) is still in existence.  The national Board of Directors is active and working hard to chart a new path forward.  Gallatin County Love INC remains affiliated with this incredible national movement of God's grace.

Additionally, new and developing Love INC affiliates in communities around the country have been assigned mentors from more mature affiliates.  Trainings for new affiliates will be conducted by the three national trainers, one of whom is Gallatin County Love INC's Executive Director, Nancy VanDyken.  The national trainers will take on these responsibilities, in addition to their work as Executive Directors, to ensure that these communities will be able to form viable, functioning Love INCs.  Our Love INC will help provide needed training materials.  In Gallatin County, we are privileged and blessed to be able to assist these fledgling, "baby" Love INCs come into existence and start transforming lives in their own areas of the country.

The national Board of Directors recently sent this message: "We, as a board, are confident that God’s hand is on the Love INC Movement. Although the door has closed on this current version of the national office, we are looking toward the future with hope, faith and anticipation of what wondrous things God has in store for Love INC."

At Gallatin County Love INC, we, too, believe God is guiding Love INC nationally into a new "version" and an exciting future.  There is much work to be done, for there are many hurting souls to be connected with the healing, transforming love of gifted, blessed Christians.

English for Beginners Class

International students, migrant employees and immigrants who want to learn English are invited to an "English for Beginners" class at Grace Bible Church.  This 6-week program starts Saturday, January 22, 2011, and will on Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.  Cost: free!

Registration and English placement testing will be held on Saturday, Jan. 22.

Grace Bible Church is located at 3625 S. 19th Ave. in Bozeman.  The class will be held in rooms 801 and 802.  For more information, call Jim at 587-3879 or email Jspady @ isiwebnet.net (without the spaces in the email address). 

Grace Bible Church is a Love INC partner church; this is a program sponsored, organized and run by Grace Bible Church.

Christian Ed Workshop - Addendum

Here's an addendum to the Teacher Enrichment event at E-Free Church announced in our previous post.  Kathy Braaksma (Resource Room Teacher, Bozeman Public Schools) will be teaching the workshop, "Reaching Children with Special Needs" along with Sherilyn Renner (Reading Intervention Teacher, Bozeman Public Schools).

Christian Ed Teacher Enrichment

The Evangelical Free Church in Bozeman is offering a Teacher Enrichment program, free of charge, to area Christian church school educators, mentors and parents. The event runs from 8:45 a.m. through 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 8, at the church (1701 S. 19th Ave.).  A luncheon keynote speech will be delivered by Jim Carlson, President of Montana Bible College.

Topics include:

• Engaging Attention Getters (Sam Summers, MDiv, Pastor of Spiritual Formation - Journey Church)
• Reaching Children with Special Needs (Sherilyn Renner, Reading Intervention Teacher - Bozeman Public Schools)
• Teaching 101 (Chris Stuckey, Kids' Ministry Director - Journey Church)
• Youth Mission Trips (Ann Dickensheets, Coordinator of Youth & Family Ministries - Bozeman United Methodist Church)
• Make It Memorable (Gus Nollmeyer, Center of Discovery; Highly Effective Teaching)
• Young Adult Panel Discussion (variety of participants)
• Memory Verses, an Important Foundation (Robby Lynne Playle, full-time teaching ministry)
• Mentoring Preschoolers (Robby Lynn Playle)
• Tweens: Gotta Love 'Em (Kelly Krueger, Minister of Youth & Children - Dry Creek Bible Church)

Participants at the event will be able to choose four topics (workshops) to attend.  Registration is required by January 24, 2011.   Call 587-3337 or email fehlberg @ efcb.org (no spaces in the email address, though) to register.

The Evangelical Free Church in Bozeman is a partner of Love INC.  Many of the workshop leaders are members of Love INC partner churches as well.  This event is not a Love INC event, but is organized, sponsored and offered by E-Free Church.

Love INC News Clip

Catch a glimpse of Love INC in action.  If you missed it, here's a video of Love INC in the news (12/14/10), as featured on our local NBC Channel, KTVM 6 & 42.

KTVM News Tonight!

Filming the Intake Office in operation.

Gallatin County Love INC will be featured on the news tonight, December 14, on KTVM Channel 6 & 42.  The news program will run at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m.  Additionally, the Love INC feature will run on the regional broadcast out of Missoula at 5 p.m.  So, tune in to KTVM, Channel 6 & 42 tonight to see Love INC in action!

News reporter Jessica Debbas has been working on the Love INC feature.  News footage was shot of the Personal Care Pantry, the Clothes Closet and the Love INC Client Intake Office in operation.  Several volunteers and Executive Director Nancy VanDyken were interviewed.  A young couple whom Love INC has helped is planned to be a part of the feature.  

The news feature also is expected to be available later on the tv station's website:  http://www.ktvm.com/

This Weekend: Last Chance!

This coming weekend is the final two days of Love INC's 2010 Christmas Village Tour.  Wander at your own pace through a grand home completely transformed into a Christmas wonderland! Every room decorated from ceiling to floor, with a different theme in each room! Complete Collections of Christmas Villages ~ Dozens of Scenes ~ 1,000 Lighted Buildings ~ Animations! All brought to life with characters, vehicles, landscaping and more!

Spread the word! Tours will be held on Dec. 11 & 12, Noon - 5 pm at 6931 S. 19th Ave. (North & Across from Nash Rd.). Tickets: $10/individual or $25/family, available at Bozeman Hallmark Stores, Van’s IGA, Heeb’s Grocery, Lee & Dad’s (Belgrade) and at the door. Parking is limited; please carpool if possible.

This is an fun and interesting event for everyone!  All proceeds go to support Love INC's ministry to the needy of Gallatin County.

(The Tour involves several stairways and is not handicap accessible. No strollers allowed. Children must be supervised by an adult.)