NW Hope-Net
Q: What is the Mission of NW Hope-Net?
Frequently Asked Questions
The mission of NW Hope-Net is to mobilize the tremendous potential of the body of Christ to respond to the needs of people in our society; and to offer a Gospel presentation which is profound in its impact because it is displayed in the acts of love carried out by Christian Believers who are willing to press hands and feet into service for the glory of God. NW Hope-Net exists solely to foster this engagement in ministry, and to maximize that potential by aiding the Church in its process for responding to such needs.
NWHN functions as a clearinghouse, connecting those in need with those who can help meet those needs. Our staff members are intimately acquainted with the challenges facing low income families struggling to cope in today's economy. Conversely, we are also well acquainted with the unique challenges facing Churches as they seek to respond to the needs of their local communities.
Q: Why support NW Hope-Net vs. an already established social
service organization in my community?
Christian caring can go far beyond the help that secular agencies can usually provide, by penetrating to the roots of people’s needs for self-respect, confidence, living skills, friendship and hope. NW Hope-Net is unique in that it partners specifically with churches in helping to mobilize Christian Caring in the community ... caring that walks alongside the client long term.
God has poured His love into our hearts by His Holy Spirit. He is consumed with reaching the lost. Should we not also be? He is consumed with compassion for the needy. Ought we not also be similarly consumed? Is helping the poor any less central to the mission of the Church than preaching the Gospel? Don’t the two go hand in hand? We think so!
Q: How does NW Hope-Net differ from its predecessor Love INC?
NW Hope-Net offers the same clearinghouse services as Love INC once did, but without the supplemental programs that Love INC used to run ... which seemed unnecessary, based on the lack of funding and volunteer support from area churches for those previous programs.
Q: Why will NW Hope-Net succeed when Love INC shut down?
Contrary to popular belief, Love INC did not shut down for lack of funding. Love INC shut down because its mission was broader in scope than that of NW Hope-Net, and those broader scope services were simply not being supported any longer. There was tremendous support and participation for Love INC's clearinghouse; however, its other programs - which were central to Love INC's mission - were draining all of its resources. Since Love INC was no longer able to fulfill its complete mission, the Board of Directors felt that Love INC needed to shut its doors.
NW Hope Net will offer the same clearinghouse services that Love INC always provided, with added support services to area churches in the realm of streamlining benevolence procedures and assisting in the process of screening applicants.
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Q: How does NW Hope-Net Help Churches?
Churches that partner with NW Hope-Net will receive powerful tools designed to reduce redundancies and consumption of administrative staff time spent attempting to verify the legitimacy of an applicant’s need, thereby freeing up Church staff and its members to respond to the whole needs of person(s) approaching their church for help. NW Hope-Net assists churches in their calling to respond to the needs of their own communities. The NW Hope-Net clearinghouse would be a vital aid in helping to assure churches that the person approaching them for help had an authentic, specific, manageable need to which that church could respond.
Q: How does NW Hope-Net Help Those In Need?
The ministry of NW Hope-Net positions itself as a connector; a liaison between those in need and resources to help meet those needs. NW Hope-Net helps to bridge the gap between people in need and the local Church, filled with members who are willing to help. While desiring to help all in need, NWHN is committed to eliminating the perpetuation of a life-style based on dependence. NW Hope-Net assists in freeing up more resources for the needs of those who are going through a season of need and not looking to live off of a “Church Welfare System”. NW Hope-Net does not support people settling into a lifestyle of lasting, irresponsible dependence on others, but provides opportunity for those who are sincerely committed to regaining their self sufficiency, to identify why they have the same needs each month and how they might address underlying issues that contribute to those recurring needs, rather than just focusing on a temporary fix for rent, food assistance, or whatever the immediate need may be.
NW Hope-Net maintains an active database of resources in the community, as well as relationships with area churches which may be able to help. Once we have verified the legitimacy of an applicant's need, we work with them to identify all relevant, available resources and attempt to help restore self-sufficiency to the client.
"For the past decade or so, I have worked with Chris Baker in my networking efforts to meet the needs those who have come to my church for help ... initially though her position with Love INC; and now with NW Hope-Net. I would like to endorse this ministry, NW Hope-Net, and the services they offer because our ministry, Witness for Jesus Christian Church, has been a recipient of some of the services provided under the leadership of Chris Baker. I am convinced that NW Hope-net will continue to offer the top-notch Clearinghouse and case management services we have come to expect from Chris and her team. They have been an excellent key resource for individuals in our ministry and I whole-heartedly endorse their services!"
Maron Heard, Co-Pastor
Witness For Jesus Christian Church, Bothell, WA
What Others Are Saying ...
