Something wonderful happens when volunteers put their faith into practice and help others.

At Love In the Name of Christ (INC) of Lancaster County, people do this through "the compassion projects."

"Part of what we believe is that God calls us to live out our faith and serve," said Katie Leaman, the communications and donor development director for Love INC of Lancaster County. "We provide resources and opportunities to serve, and we're able to help the community by listening to their needs. Our goal is to help people with financial needs remain in their homes or make their homes more accessible."

Currently, Love INC is looking for people in need to help and for volunteers to provide that help for its compassion projects. Many of the compassion projects focus on minor home repairs and additions like yard projects, painting, small electrical fixes and adding handicapped-accessible ramps.

Participants, who must demonstrate specific needs, either physical or financial, are encouraged to reach out to Love INC of Lancaster County. Love INC provides volunteer labor and many of the materials required for its compassion projects.

Participants for Love INC's compassion projects must also reside in the Warwick, Manheim Township, Manheim Central, Ephrata, Cocalico, Elizabethtown, Donegal and Hempfield school districts.

"Right now, there's a big push on to get the word out to people who might have needs," said Leaman. "We're waiting to help people. We do our best to meet all the calls, but if we can't, we try to connect people to other resources. When we receive calls, we try to connect local residents with our partner churches in their areas. It's essentially a mission trip to your backyard."

Last year, Love INC received between 200 and 300 requests for services as part of its compassion projects. Some 250 volunteers from Love INC's 32 member churches completed about 100 of those projects in 2022.

"I want people to know that serving is a call for Christians," said Leaman. "It can be very easy. There are people in need in your neighborhood, and you may not even realize it. Our nonprofit mission is to mobilize the Lord's churches to serve the community. We partner and connect with churches across the county."

An affiliate of a national movement, the local Love INC is a network of 160 Lancaster County churches from 24 denominations. Founded locally in Ephrata 15 years ago, Love INC also engages in missions of temporary housing, elderly transportation and the fielding of other types of calls from the community.

"Some of the early board members saw this need for churches to serve their communities, and they thought this was a good model," said Leaman. "Over the years, the mission has changed in various different ways. We've tried to ebb and flow with the county. We've also changed as churches have changed."

To become involved with Love INC's compassion projects as either a participant or a volunteer, call 717-735-7540, ext. 8.