Love In Action Ministries 2010

Celebrate Recovery
Click here to see photos and videos from Celebrate Recovery 2010.

A Decade of Ministry

Love In Action has been ministering to the homeless for 10 years.

Watch an audio slideshow of highlights of Love In Action sharing the
Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of compassion.


“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to Me.”
Matthew 25:40 (NKJV)

Christmas celebration
More than 125 attend service

Dane Skipper and members from Hodgesville Baptist Church led worship at Love In Action's Christmas service on Dec. 21, 2010. Angel Drennan (pictured above) serves dessert to our guests. Members of First United Methodist Church in New Brockton cooked a delicious dinner in the kitchen of the First United Methodist Church in Dothan. Talk about teamwork! This was a very special night as the homeless, needy and work release inmates filled the Love In Action Ministry Center. Everyone enjoyed the ham and all the trimmings. The worship was great and Love In Action President Ken Tuck delivered the Christmas message. The service ended with everyone forming a circle, holding hands, and singing "Silent Night." Following the song, there was a great time of prayer.
Click here for a photo gallery.

Health care for the homeless

A prayer was answered Tuesday night, Dec. 7. It was the first night of free health care for the homeless in Dothan. It's been a longtime prayer of ours that this would happen, so we were excited to see the first six patients walk through the doors of the Alfred Saliba Family Services Center's free health clinic. Thanks to the good folks at Alfred Saliba FSC and two great Christian doctors - Dr. H.L. "Chief" Lassiter and Dr. Steve Stokes (pictured above)- we now have a free health clinic for the homeless every Tuesday night beginning at 5 p.m. In the photo to the right, Love In Action volunteer Denise Paknik gives Henry a cup of soup and a hygiene kit. He was also thankful for a scarf and a warm hat.
Click here for more about free health care for the homeless.
Click here for an online photo gallery from Tuesday night's clinic.
Click here for a story about the clinic in the Dothan Eagle.

Thanksgiving 2010
More than 250 served in Dothan

Rick was all smiles at Love In Action's Thanksgiving service. Despite being ran over by a freight train earlier this year and confined to a wheelchair, Rick is thankful for what God is doing in his life. Rick is a true miracle and God is doing a great work in and through Rick. He also volunteers to serve dinner every Tuesday night at the Love In Action Ministry Center, and he is kitchen manager at the Dothan Rescue Mission.
Click here for more about Love In Action's Thanksgiving service.
For a photo gallery of the Thanksgiving service, click here.

Serving the needy in Enterprise

Love In Action President and Vice President Ken and Martha Tuck joined Crossroads Community Church for its second annual Thanksgiving Day outreach in Enterprise, Ala. More than 200 meals were given to people living in an impoverished Hispanic neighborhood. Pictured above, Martha helps Crossroads Pastor Gene Oden and Crossroads member Thelma hand out plates of food to a family. Martha and Ken were blessed to join Crossroads for this outreach. The people were very thankful to receive the meals.
Click here for more on this wonderful outreach.
For an online photo gallery of this outreach click here.

Medical Care for the Homeless

Beginning Dec. 7, the homeless in Dothan, Ala., like Charlie pictured above, will have free medical care for basic health needs. This is awesome news and the result of many prayers and hard work. Thanks to Dr. Steve Stokes for his tireless efforts to make this happen, and to the fine folks at Alfred Saliba Family Services for pushing this forward and starting this program a month ahead of schedule.
Click here for more exciting details about this great service to the homeless.

A special communion service

Pastor Dwight Deal serves communion at the LIA Ministry Center.
It was a great night at the Love In Action Ministry Center on Nov. 9, as 40 volunteers attended a communion service to cap a day of prayer and fasting as we seek God's direction, wisdom and favor for a new building.
Click here to read more about this very special night.

Making disciples

Love In Action Vice President Martha Tuck teaches Bible study at the Love In Action Ministry Center. The Wednesday night class is currently studying Discipleship Phase I, which was written by Harvest Church Pastor Ralph Sigler. People are learning who they are in Jesus and are becoming true disciples of Jesus. Love In Action board member Susie Tuck cooks dinner every Wednesday night, so we are meeting spiritual and physical needs each week.

Faith like a child

Little Gregory is getting up close to Emily as she teaches Wednesday night Bible study.

Great discipleship is taking place every Wednesday night at the Love In Action Ministry Center. Those attending are learning more and more about Jesus and how great our God really is. Currently, Emily Hinderliter of Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Taylor, Ala., is teaching a five-part series on Abraham. This is a tremendous series and a lot of growth is taking place.
Click here for more on what God is doing through Love In Action's Wednesday night Bible studies.

Having fun at Love In Action

Gregory warmed up the drums last Tuesday night. He is one of the children who attends Love In Action's children's program every Tuesday night at Celebrate Recovery. Stephanie and JoAnna do a wonderful job working with the children. They all look forward to Tuesday night.

Click here for a photo slide show from Celebrate Recovery on Sept. 21, 2010.

Reaching out to adults and children

Love In Action ministers the love of Jesus Christ to more than 100 people every week at the Love In Action Ministry Center. We reach the homeless, the poor, and prisoners through Celebrate Recovery, Wednesday night Bible studies, and one-on-one ministry. We serve them dinner every Tuesday and Wednesday nights, and help them with hygiene items and clothes. All of that opens the door to teach them about the love of Jesus Christ and how the power of God can transform their lives. We praise God for everything He is doing, and we thank everyone who prays for us, gives financially, and volunteers. Together, we are making a difference for God.
Click on the photos above for two different photo galleries.

Nothing short of a miracle

Rick was at the Love In Action Ministry Center for the first time Tuesday night since being hit by a train. He said the opening prayer at Celebrate Recovery. Rick is a homeless man in Dothan, Ala., that Love In Action has known for nearly a year. He was hit by a train on July 17, and spent about a month in the hospital. He is now staying at the Dothan Rescue Mission. He still cannot use his legs, but he is about ready to start exercising his legs. Once his left foot heals, the doctors will probably start Rick on physical rehab to get him walking again. The fact that he's alive is a miracle. The fact he will one day walk again is another miracle. Rick is telling everyone he meets about what God has done in his life. It was so good having Rick back at the Love In Action Ministry Center. Please keep Rick in your prayers. Our goal is to find a place he can stay while he recovers. If anyone can help, please contact Love In Action at 334-494-4995 or loveinactionministries@hotmail.com

Getting ready

Love In Action recently received donations of kitchen equipment. While we have not built a kitchen yet, we are getting ready. The first step was picking up this equipment and cleaning it. Step by step, our building project continues. Please keep us in your prayers, and please consider giving financially to our building project, so we can continue doing more to reach the homeless and needy in Dothan, Ala., with the love and Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Meeting needs

Many needs are met at the Love In Action Ministry Center, including auto repair. One of the men we helped come off the streets more than a year ago gives back to the ministry by helping with auto repair for the needy. In the photo above, Richard works on a needy family's car. Other needs that are meet every week, include helping the homeless and needy with clothes, hygiene items, food and furniture.

New look LIA Ministry Center

The Love In Action Ministry Center was rearranged this weekend. We moved the dinner tables and chairs over to open up the worship area. Thanks to Covenant United Methodist Church donating red cushioned chairs, we have 80 chairs for the worship area and more for future expansion. However, we need 30 more metal folding chairs for our dinner tables. If a church or any individuals are able to donate metal folding chairs, we would be very appreciative. If you can donate, please call 334-494-4995.

Haircuts for the homeless

Junior, a homeless man in Dothan, Ala., gets a haircut at the Love In Action Ministry Center. Tom, a Love In Action volunteer gave Junior a haircut. He did an outstanding job and Junior looked and felt a lot better after the haircut and beard trim. Most of us take haircuts for granted. If we need one, we go get one. The homeless can't do that. Some go a year or more without a haircut, and when they receive one like Junior did, it blesses them. It really helps their self esteem. Click here for more haircut photos.

Family receives car

This young family was all smiles as they received a car from Love In Action Wednesday morning. Thanks to a generous family donating this car to Love In Action, we were able to give Melissa, Bryan and little Gregory a car. Now they have the freedom to go to the store when they need to, and do other things so many of us take for granted. Keep Bryan in your prayers as he continues to look for a job. It will be easier now that he can drive to different places to fill out applications.
Click here for more.

A true hunger for God

The Love In Action Ministry Center does not have air conditioning, but that hasn't stopped an average of 120 people coming to Celebrate Recovery every Tuesday night. It's amazing to see people come week after week knowing how hot it's going to be in a non-air conditioned building in the heat and humidity of a south Alabama summer. Why do they come every week? Because they have a true hunger for God. Click here for more about "A true hunger for God."

Testimonies of God's Grace
On a Tuesday night, people gave their testimonies of what God is doing in their lives. Watch videos of those testimonies below, and see how God's mercy, grace and power is changing lives. We are seeing it every week at the Love In Action Ministry Center. Click here for more.

The video on the left is of Kelly, a woman who is an inmate at Houston County Community Corrections work release. Watch her sing "God's Eye Is On the Sparrow." She has a beautiful voice. Even though she is incarcerated, she has joy because of Jesus Christ. The video on the left is of Timothy. He was homeless, but isn't now. He shares how God delivered him from drugs and life in prison.

Testimonies of God's grace

The video on the left is of Love In Action volunteer and Celebrate Recovery praise & worship leader Alan Watson. He shares how God worked in his life bringing him to use his talents for the glory of God. The video on the right is of Love In Action volunteer Robert Risner. Robert is very passionate about his love for God and desire to be used by Him.

'Let the little children come to me'

More people coming to Love In Action

More of the homeless and needy in the Dothan, Ala., area are coming to Love In Action to receive spiritual and physical help. One phase of ministry that's really growing is Celebrate Recovery. An average of 120 people are attending Celebrate Recovery at the Love In Action Ministry Center every Tuesday night. The growth has been incredible, and the lives being changed even more amazing. Lives of the homeless, needy and work release inmates are being transformed by the power of God.

Successful charity auction

Auctioneer and Love In Action volunteer Jerry Eddings put together and conducted a charity auction for Love In Action on June 19, 2010. It was a great day and a great auction that raised $2,464 for the Love In Action building fund.
Click here for more on the auction.
Click here for an online photo gallery of scene from the auction.


Watch video highlights of the auction

.Life-changing power of God

Bill and Rick sort can goods to help organize the food pantry at the Love In Action Ministry Center. These two homeless men volunteered
all day Saturday to help the ministry that is helping them get back on their feet again.
Click here for more about how God is working in their lives.
Click here for more photos from Saturday's work day.

Building project continues

The building project at the Love In Action Ministry Center continues with the addition of a large wall that separates the ministry area from the warehouse. Click on the video above
to see the wall being constructed, and LIA Operations Director Franklin Moore talking about the project. Click on the photo above to see an online photo gallery of the wall being constructed. Please continue to pray for the building project, and please keep giving financially so we can continue with the project that will add another restroom, two showers,
a laundry room, full-service kitchen, and an expanded worship area. Your prayers and financial contributions are making this project happen. Thanks!

Giving hope to transients

For the second straight week some very young transient homeless people found their way to the Love In Action Ministry Center in Dothan, Ala. Josh and Stephanie were looking for
shelter when a former homeless man who Love In Action helped off the streets guided them to the LIA Ministry Center. Click here to read the rest of their story.

Love In Action Ministry Center

The first part of our building project at the Love In Action Ministry Center is complete. The exterior doors have been installed, and this allowed us to change the worship area. The new arrangement of the worship area gives us more room, and we now have a more welcoming entrance to the Ministry Center. Watch this short video to see how it looks.

Young and homeless

Caleb and Whitney are two young transient homeless people from the state of Washington. Their travels brought them to Dothan, Ala., where they experienced the love of Jesus Christ at the Love In Action Ministry Center. They are "riding the rail" across country. Click here to read their story.

Serving it up for the homeless

An important way to reach out to the homeless is by providing them with a good meal. When you are homeless, you never know where your next meal is coming from or when you will eat again. The homeless know they can find a good meal at the Love In Action Ministry Center, especially on Tuesday nights when Ms. Diana cooks. They give her five stars every time. They get a well-rounded meal too, which is important since they usually don't receive the best nutrition. The food ministry opens the door to sharing Jesus Christ with them. They first see the love of Jesus through people like Diana and all the other volunteers who serve them. Then they hear the Word of God every Tuesday night at our Celebrate Recovery. Lives are being changed by the power of God, and we give God all the praise, honor and glory. Click here for more photos.

There is a God

Two homeless men from Spokane, Wash., Recently found their way to the Love In Action Ministry Center in Dothan, Ala. It's not unusual for transient homeless people to pass through Dothan. Whether they are local or transients, we reach out to all of the homeless with the love of Jesus Christ. Richard and George attended Celebrate Recovery and Wednesday night discipleship Bible study. They enjoyed a good meal both nights and heard the word of God. At one point, as Richard was talking with Love In Action President Ken Tuck, he threw his hands in the air and exclaimed, "There is a God!" He said this in response to the love and help he and his friend received at the LIA Ministry Center. Love In Action was able to help them get back to their hometown of Spokane. Click here for more information.

Volunteers making a difference

Love In Action is an all-volunteer organization. We rely totally on volunteers. We couldn't do what we do without each one of them. Pictured above to the left, Franklin Moore and Richard Jackson pose for a photo with Monica after helping her move into her new apartment and repairing her car. Pictured to the right, Jonathan Ellis puts hygiene kits together for the homeless. Click here for more about Love In Action volunteers.

From homeless to serving God
Danny and Dana Herb once lived on the streets of Dothan, Ala., after being homeless in Texas. Today, they are no longer homeless and are serving God in a number of different ways. Watch this video as they share their testimony of God's mercy and grace, and how God worked through Love In Action to touch their lives. They are both very involved as volunteers for LIA now. See how your prayers and support of Love In Action help change lives for the glory of God.

Baton Rouge winter outreach
Bringing warmth to the homeless

Love In Action shared the love of Jesus with the homeless throughout Baton Rouge. From a homeless camp in the woods on the banks of the Mississippi River to parking lots where cookies were given to children.

Love In Action traveled to Baton Rouge, La., on Jan. 30, 2010, for a winter outreach to the homeless. The timing of the outreach was perfect as the temperatures plummeted below freezing that night. We teamed with our friends at No Place Outreach to help them minister to the homeless in their city. We filled our cargo trailer with blankets, coats, socks, wool mittens, winter hoods, and Bibles and drove more than six hours to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of compassion with the homeless. Nine LIA volunteers made the trip. A wonderful ministry in Baton Rouge called Cooking for Christ made delicious homemade beef stew to serve to the homeless. It was a great outreach as many needs were met and many of the homeless were prayed for. Click here for more information about the outreach.
Click here for an online photo gallery of the outreach.

Reaching the homeless

More homeless are showing up at the Love In Action Ministry Center. God is using Love In Action even more to show His love to the "least of these brothers of mine" (Mat. 25:40)
From the homeless living in the woods in Dothan to those just passing through, we are reaching them with the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of compassion.
Click here for more information.

Love In Action helps in Haiti. Click here for more.

Radio interview

LIA interview on 93.1 from Love In Action Ministries on Vimeo.

Love In Action President and Vice President Ken and Martha Tuck joined Seletha Small on Magic 93.1 FM in Dothan, AL, on Feb. 6, 2010, to talk about homelessness and how God is working through Love In Action to reach out to the homeless. Watch some of that interview on this video.

Click here for more about what Love In Action accomplished in 2009.
Click here for more about what Love In Action accomplished in 2008.
Click here for major Love In Action outreaches in 2007.