sTART a LOVE INC
Learn How You Can Start A Love INC in Your Community
The Church has a unique biblical calling… to be the hands and feet of Christ to those in spiritual, physical, emotional, relational, and material need. It is Love INC’s mission to help the Church live out this life and community transforming calling. Is God asking you to help churches help people through the ministry of Love INC? We hope our information kit will help you answer this very question.
Hello!
Thank you for taking the time to explore what it might look like to start a Love In the Name of Christ affiliate in your community. We are genuinely excited that you are looking into the Love INC model. We believe with all our hearts that a mobilized and united Church is the greatest hope for our neighbors to experience meaningful help, sustainable hope, and the transforming love of Christ. When local congregations join together — across denominations, backgrounds, and traditions — the love of Jesus becomes visible in powerful and practical ways.
We hope the information and resources are helpful as you determine whether the Love INC model is the right fit for you, your churches, and your community. Every community is unique, and this discovery process matters. We want you to feel freedom and clarity as you explore, ask questions, and gather information.
Please know that you are not navigating this alone. Our National Developing New Affiliates (DNA) team is available to guide and support you as you learn. Our hope is that you feel informed and equipped as you learn about Love INC, so you can make a confident decision about whether it is the right fit for your community.
We are grateful you are exploring this opportunity, and we look forward to journeying with you.
Grace and peace in Christ,
Rev. Daniel Walker, DMin
Director of Developing New Affiliates
Love In The Name of Christ—National
Take Your First Steps
As you explore the possibility of starting a Love INC affiliate in your community, you may already be imagining how a partnership of local churches could unite to serve neighbors with the transforming love of Christ. We encourage you to explore loveinc.org, watch the videos, and talk with friends, pastors, and family as you prayerfully discern whether God is leading your community to take the first step towards establishing a Love INC affiliate.
But don’t worry, you won’t have to walk through that process alone. If you begin the developing new affiliate process with Love INC, the first stage of development is all about discernment.
Here’s how to begin:
Click on and complete the Service Area Request form to determine which area your affiliate will focus on to begin development. When selecting an area, it is important to have a population and church density that is appropriate for churches to collaborate and serve their neighbors together well. Could the churches in this area work together to serve the people who live in this area?
When you have determined the initial service area, describe that area as clearly as you can in the form. You do not need to over-explain, but it is helpful to include a few known strengths and needs of the community, basic demographic information, and a brief explanation of why this area is being considered for a Love INC affiliate. If you need support, our national team is glad to help.
As you complete the Service Area Request, you will be asked to propose an initial name for your potential affiliate. Consider how your selected service area can best be identified in two or three words—whether by city, county, or another meaningful geographic description. Then choose one of the following formats:
- Love INC of [Area]
- Love INC [Area]
When selecting a name, consider:
- Using your city or county if it accurately reflects the area you intend to serve (e.g., Love INC of Franklin County).
- Using a greater-area designation if your affiliate will serve a broader region (e.g., Love INC of Greater Madison or Love INC Greater Madison County).
- Choosing another locally meaningful name if neither the city nor county captures your service area well—while still using the Love INC of ___ or Love INC ___ configuration.
If the name you have chosen is already being used by another affiliate, our team will walk you through the process of adding the state to the name or choosing another appropriate name. We are available if you need any help.
After you submit the Service Area Request, we will review it and either approve the request or reach out with clarifying questions.
Once the Service Area Request is approved, you will receive an email with a link to purchase the $100 Welcome Kit, which officially begins your journey in developing a Love INC affiliate.
After the Welcome Kit is purchased, you will receive an invitation to schedule an Orientation Call—your first monthly coaching call—with one of our Developing New Affiliate Specialists.
Our Development Process
Love INC National has 45+ years of experience starting affiliates. Our development process offers step-by-step guidance that will encourage you spiritually and lead you through the inherent difficulties associated with establishing a legal entity, building community awareness, fundraising, and training your teams.
Stage One:
Discern
Explore the Love INC model, research the community, form a development team, and prepare to share about Love INC.
Stage Two:
Organize
Expand your team, adopt the mission, establish church partnerships, and form the first board of directors.
Stage Three:
Build
Establish operational and financial systems, expand church partnerships, secure funding/facilities, hire staff, and mobilize volunteers.
Stage Four:
Open
Officially open your Love INC Connection Center and begin serving your community.
Ready to Get Started?
Become part of our national movement by joining over 110 affiliates across the United States and more than 30 communities in development.
