Author Archives: Arwen McGilvra

Volunteer Focus—Ross Wootan

Date: March 12, 2020
Author: Arwen McGilvra
Categories: Volunteer Stories

Ross Wootan has been involved with Love INC close to 4 years. He started volunteering around the time that Love INC moved into the house on Santiam Road in Albany. The house needed a little TLC plus various preparations to transform it from a family home to a ministry center. A large group of volunteers from various churches made this happen and Ross was one of those volunteers.

Ross decided to volunteer more when he saw that Love INC was a ministry that was meeting needs in the communities of Linn County, and it was designed to promote unity in the church. One way he has contributed to the ministry has been as a Love INC Board member. The Love INC Board is made up of individuals from various churches who agree with the statement of faith and the Love INC missions statement. He said that serving on the board is a pleasure because all the members buy into the Love INC mission statement:

The mission of Love In the Name of Christ
is to mobilize local churches to transform lives
and communities In the Name of Christ.

Decisions at the Board level are generally made by consensus due to the buy-in on the mission statement. Buy-in creates unity.

Another area that Ross has been involved in has been the Transformational Ministry Classes offered to our clients, people attending our churches and others in our community. In the Transformational Ministry Classes we seek to help people reach their potential and learn valuable life skills. Ross likes the idea that these classes are giving people a “hand up” rather than just a “hand out”. Ross has been in leadership roles in the Affirming Potential and Faith and Finances Classes.

Ross says he enjoys the family atmosphere of working with the staff and volunteers in this ministry. He also says that for Love INC in general, it is sometimes a challenge being the liaison between Christ’s Body and the clients who need help and promoting unity in the Body of Christ. We need God’s guidance to accomplish His mission.

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word.
That they may all be one, just as you, Father are in me, and I in you, that they also
may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you
have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one. I in them
and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know
that you sent me and loved them even as you love me.
John 17:20-23

Love Story: Medical Ministry Meeting Real Needs

Date: February 12, 2015
Author: Arwen McGilvra
Categories: Love Story

I was speaking with our Medical Ministry Coordinator today asking him what Love INC encounter had touched his heart lately and here is what he told me:

A woman requesting medical equipment met him at our medical storage facility and in the course of picking out the things she needed, Ron asked if she could use a lift chair? She said she had just ordered one that day but could easily cancel it and take ours! She and her husband then gave us a recliner and a couch which went out to a family in need that very week.

God is good and gracious in letting us participate with Him in providing for His children.

Love Story: Medical Goods

Date: January 29, 2015
Author: Arwen McGilvra
Categories: Love Story

Our second GAP ministry was durable medical goods- stored in the loft at Lebanon Mennonite Church. The coordinator at the time, Sterling Burkey and his trainee, Ron, would stop at thrift stores and garage sales handing out a Love INC card and gathering more and more medical equipment. The more people we served in this ministry the more medical goods would come in until we outgrew the loft. We now are housed in a larger building owned by Mennonite Village.

Sometimes Sterling or Ron would tell me we were getting too many or not enough of a certain item and within a week requests and donations would rectify the situation. Very often within days of someone requesting something we didn’t have it would be donated!

Today I just heard a new story- a Doctor at the hospital called as they had someone that wanted to be water baptized…did we have a Hoyer lift they could borrow?…..VERY COOL!.

Thank you for being a part of making this possible.

Christmas Letter

Date: December 29, 2014
Author: Arwen McGilvra
Categories: News

To download this letter as a PDF click here.

Dear Love INC Partner,

Thank you for being a vital part of Love In the Name of Christ of Linn County!  So far this year phone volunteers have received 3,978 calls for help from people in our community.  Church volunteers have responded by providing transportation, yard work, visitation, firewood, medical equipment, diapers, furniture, moving crews, school supplies, household and hygiene products, linens, Holiday meals, by fixing cars, and building ramps.  Each need met is a life touched by the Love of Christ shown through a practical act of service.

Let me share with you a few snap shots…

  • Our medical equipment coordinator was thanked profusely as the loan of some medical equipment allowed their father to spend his final days at home with family.
  • Crews have been working diligently…over 1,000 hours to provide free firewood for families otherwise unable to heat their homes.
  • Last year in partnership with God’s Heart we gave Christmas Gifts to 285 children.  This year our target is 500 children blessed at Christmas!

Thank you for your prayers, time, and generous financial support.  Together we will watch the Lord do even greater things in our community throughout 2015 and beyond.

If you are interested in learning more about Love INC please call us at 541-924-LOVE.

Please keep our volunteers, clients and staff in your prayers.

God Bless You,
Deb Powell
Executive Director

Roger Peterson
Clearinghouse Coordinator

Love Story: School Supplies

Date: November 29, 2014
Author: Arwen McGilvra
Categories: Love Story

Our school supply giveaway this year helped 200 children get ready for school! Each backpack contained a Gideon’s bible, a packet from CEF as well as school supplies. The students were also given opportunity to look through our new clothing and shoes.

The firewood ministry will have 100 plus cord of wood to giveaway this year. A HUGE thank you to Mennonite Village for the donated space, David Gray the ministry coordinator, wood donors, and the volunteers who have contributed hundreds of man hours to make this blessing possible.

Thank you for your continued support through your prayers, time and finances to make this all possible.

Enjoy a short stack for a tall cause.

Date: September 8, 2014
Author: Arwen McGilvra
Categories: Fundraiser

You’re invited to an Applebee’s Flapjack Fundraiser breakfast to support Love INC. September 27th, 8:00-10:00am at Applebees of Albany 1525 Geary St. SE

Meal includes: Pancakes, sausage, scrambled eggs, and a beverage (coffee, juice, soda or tea.)

Tickets are $10/ea. call Love INC for more info or to buy tickets. 541-924-LOVE (5683)

Use this link to download pdf bulletin inserts.

applebees