Looking Into the Faces

a message from Love INC president – Robert Odom

More than 37 million people in America are poor – that’s one in every eight Americans. And the number of people living in poverty continues to grow as our country’s economy worsens. While the statistics are daunting, it’s not about the numbers – it’s about people.

At Love In the Name of Christ, more than 3,700 people in need reach out for help every day. When you look into the face of the homeless mother with young children, you see her fear and desperation. When you look into the face of the elderly woman who hasn’t eaten in two days, you see her despair. When you look into the face of the father who just received his last unemployment check, you see his anxiety. When you look into the face of the young girl who has to wear her brother’s worn hand-me downs to school you see her shame.

But there is hope, and that hope can be found in Christians – people who are striving to be Christ-like – who step I to help their neighbors in need. Their faces reflect Christ and demonstrate His care and mercy.

When you look into the face of the busy executive who volunteers to mentor an at-risk child you see compassion. When you look into the face of the mother with five children who stretches her budget to be able to donate to the local food pantry, you see grace. When you look into the face of the retired couple who spends their time helping to deliver hot meals, you see love.

Poverty in America is daunting. The human need is indescribable, innumerable and almost unbearable. But the number one way to have the greatest impact on poverty in America is through the Church. This can’t happen through a church; only through the Church. God has not allowed the colossal challenge of poverty to become bigger than His Church, which is the Body of Christ. Through His Body caring for those in need, we see His face.