Love Inc.

About Love INC

Mission

To mobilize the Church to transform lives and communities in the Name of Christ.

Local History

Jane Williams, long time Columbia social worker and church volunteer, heard about Love INC several years ago and visited the Love INC of Clay County in Liberty, Mo. Though she felt it was exactly what was needed in Columbia, it was not until the churches of the city had the opportunity to work together following Hurricane Katrina that enough support for the endeavor emerged. Jane mobilized a group of four individuals from local churches who attended the national Love INC conference in April of 2006. The group used their networks to solicit and form a core group of about 15 financially supporting churches and a board of directors. Pat McMurry, coordinator of quarterly citywide pastor's luncheons and long time advocate for church unity in our city, is serving as the current president of Love INC of Columbia.

Organization's History

The first Love INC was founded in 1977 by a Christian social worker in Holland, Michigan. Within ten years, there were 50 Love INC affiliates in 14 states. In 2001, Love INC became a division of World Vision serving as its domestic benevolence program.

Now with over 130 affiliates, in 30 states, Love INC has moved into a partnership role with World Vision.

View a map of all current Love INC affiliates.

There is strong national leadership under the direction of Executive Director Robert Odom who has taken Love INC from its initial role as a citywide clearinghouse of services to also include relational ministry and community development.

Learn more about the history of Love INC..