Mission Spotlight August 2026: Love Thy Neighbor Grand Traverse Region

The mission of Love Thy Neighbor is to empower change with love and dignity by helping our neighbors overcome today’s challenges and build better tomorrows.

By Zeke Fleet, CUMC Missions Committee

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The Gospel message of unconditional love and grace is the foundation from which Love Thy Neighbor serves. For more than 37 years, Love Thy Neighbor, Grand Traverse, formerly known as Love in the Name of Christ, has been helping people overcome challenges. In partnership with area Christian churches and community service agencies, Love Thy Neighbor helps arrange funding and/or provides resources for those in need. Love Thy neighbor is a 501c non-profit organization with two paid staff members and from 10 to 15 volunteers. Matt Chapman, pictured on the right, is the Love Thy Neighbor CEO and serves as lead pastor at Williamsburg UMC.

What does Love Thy Neighbor do? 

In recent years Love They Neighbor has experienced an annual increase in the number of walk-in and phone-in clients. To qualify for assistance, each client completes a documented needs assessment. Based on Love Thy Neighbor’s criteria and in partnership with other area non-profit organizations, clients receive the necessary assistance.

The following is a list of Love Thy Neighbor’s services:

• Personal mentoring programs for life skills, family management, and household budgeting/planning,
• Financial support can be arranged for individuals and families at risk, including help with housing payments and utility bills. Auto repairs or bus passes can be provided for those needing transportation for employment and out-of-town medical appointments,
• Medical devices such as wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, and bed rails are provided.
• Cribs, mattresses, and bedding are available for new parents.
• Household appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, are available.
• Personal hygiene and cleaning products, in partnership with Jubilee House, are available. 
• Holiday support programs, including the Adopt-a-Family gift program for children, and Thanksgiving and Christmas food certificates for qualifying individuals and families, are available.

Making a Difference for Hundreds of Area Individuals and Families 

• Annual connections with individuals and families:
      – 3,250 phone calls and in-person visits
      – 2,305 referrals with partner agencies including The Father Fred Foundation, Acme Christian Thrift Store and Food Pantry, Salvation Army, Single Momm, and St Vincent de Paul.
        – 1,746 families are supported across all programs
• Transportation Support:
      – Car repairs: $14,742.56 (helping 47 families)
      – Gas cards: $4,500 (helping 141 families)
• Wellness Program support:
      – Hygiene pantry: $6,025 (helping 937 families)

     – Medical loan closet: $769.23 (helping 365 individuals)

• Family Basics:
      – Crib ministry: $8,736.95 (providing 66 cribs)
      – Home appliances: $1,246.22 (helping six families)
      – Adopt-a-Family Christmas: $19,900 (gifts for 46 families)
      – Thanksgiving food certificates: $1,125 (feeding 25 families)
      – Christmas food certificates: $1,125 (feeding 25 families)
• Guidance & Skill Building
      – Mentorship: $14,225.56 (helping 12 individuals)
      – Family budget program: $200 (helping 16 participants) 

     – Healthy Cooking Class: $765.54 (helping 21 participants)

• Crisis Response
      – Emergency rent/utility support: $12,458 (helping 39 families)

Pictured above from left: Volunteer Bob Miller, administrative assistant Brenda Forton, and accounting volunteer Dale Vanderwal.

How CUMC can support Love Thy Neighbor

Your prayers and financial donations make a major difference for those in need.

• Select the “Missions” dropdown on Shelby Giving and specify “Love Thy Neighbor” or use the QR code for online donations. 
• Click here to make a gift now to support Central’s Mission Ministry.
• Specify Love Thy Neighbor on your checks when making in-person church offerings or contributions to the Gathering Space bucket.