mission

To mobilize local churches to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ.

Vision

To see Christian churches united in purpose and fully engaged in actively living out their faith by lovingly serving people in need in Yakima County.

We carry out our mission by mobilizing local churches to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ. Here is why that works:   

Without Love INC

Churches serve their communities in different ways. One area may have a financial literacy program, while another has housing assistance. Yet, when care is not coordinated, needs can be overlooked or duplicated, and people are not served in a holistic manner.

With Love INC

Love INC fosters collaboration and organizes holistic care to help churches serve their neighbors through resources and relationships. By networking churches together, each church is able to lean into their strengths, knowing that their neighbors will be cared for by the body of Christ within their community.

Staff

Dan Brown

Executive Director
(West Side Church)

Larena Mills

Emerge Ministries Director
(T.H. Evangelical Presbyterian Church)

Sandy Hagstrand

Connection Center Coordinator
(Calvary Selah)

Lori 2024 (1)
Lori Baxter

Volunteer Coordinator
(Harvest Church)

Melea 2024 (1)
Melea Brown

Executive Assistant
(West Side Church)

Board of Directors

Ken Willms

Chairman
(Restoration Church)

loveincyakima
Ellie Navarrete

Treasurer
(The Alliance Church)

Keith Mathews

Vice Chairman
(Grace of Christ Church)

Dawn Golladay

Secretary
(Christian Life Center)

Vicky Washam

Board Member
(The Alliance Church)

Keegan Harris

Board Member
 (Yakima Foursquare Church)

loveincyakima
Ellie Navarrete

Treasurer
(Yakima Alliance Church)

IMG 1180
Derek Sutton

Board Member
(Restoration Church)

Love INC of Yakima County History

Nationally, Love INC was founded 49 years ago by Virgil Gulker and has grown to over 110 affiliates. Love INC of Yakima officially became a part of the Love INC movement in 2007. Brian Hetzer, our first Executive Director, had a heart for those who were often overlooked and needed transformation in their lives. God used him to bring together seven churches to launch the ministry and Love INC received its first phone call from someone needing assistance on November 12, 2007. From there the ministry has grown under the leadership of past Executive Directors Dawn Golladay and Elizabeth Benefiel.

Over the last 19 years, Love INC of Yakima has grown to a network of 27 church partners from across the Yakima Valley. These local churches and Love INC volunteers have answered over 18,000 phone calls for assistance and met the needs of over 9,000 individuals and families. Today Love INC is still committed to helping connect the calling of local churches to the struggles of the community to bring transformation.