Contact Name: Andrea Baker, Executive Director
Business Name: Operation Love Ministries
Address: 620 E 21st Street PO Box 917 Anderson, IN 46015
Website: http://www.operationloveministries.org/about-us/our-mission
Business Phone: 765.644.2121
Business Description: Operation Love Ministries provides help for today and hope for tomorrow through programs and services meeting critical and urgent everyday needs — from food and clothing to prescription medications and financial intervention, as well as providing resources for long-term stability through budgeting assistance, nutrition classes, and case management.
What first inspired you to get into your line of work? And what motivates you to do the work you do still today?
I have wanted to help others for a long time, which led me to a master’s degree in Public Administration. However, working for the state did not give me the flexibility to truly problem-solve, nor to offer the hope that is in Christ to so many in need. The nonprofit field allows for so much more agility to move to try creative approaches to helping others, while Operation Love Ministries in particular is designed to provide the option for the important spiritual services for which our community members are desperately looking. I am also incredibly motivated to see the “global church” come together through our ministry, as we have over 30 churches working together to avoid duplication of services and combine resources to help others in a more strategic and life-changing way. Seeing when the work pays off as we are able to create innovative ways to get people’s tangible needs met, while also seeing hope come back into their eyes as we share genuine love, has kept me in the field for over 10 years, 7 of which have been at the helm of Operation Love.
How did you come to faith in Christ?
When I was young, my parents did bring me to church, but it was my father’s example of reading scripture, prayer and seeking God’s will that taught me most. I determined at a very early age that I continually seek out God’s will for my life, accepting Christ at an age I can’t even remember, and praying for wisdom, guidance, and listening to that still small voice of the Holy Spirit ever since.
How does your faith impact the way you do business?
Our faith is in every fiber of our service to the community. Operation Love Ministries is an alliance of churches as an outreach arm to share the love that we have first received through God’s grace. It means that we treat each person with the God-given dignity and care they deserve, that no one is a number when receiving food from our pantry or going through our Balanced Budget program. We believe that life-change can only come with heart-change, and that heart-change is led by the Lord.
What ministry/cause do you champion and why?
We champion the work of hundreds of dedicated volunteers, donors, and partners here at Operation Love Ministries because we are inspired and blessed to serve over 2,000 families each year with food, clothing, and household pantry; human services programs that teach budgeting skills and intervene in financial emergencies; and annual back to school and Christmas Wishes programs that help families with their school supply and basic needs plus gifts at Christmas. Operation Love is truly acting as the hands and fee