"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:30-31
Loving your neighbor is a critical aspect of life and walking with Jesus. Whether it's your literal neighbor, someone walking down the street, or someone you seek out yourself... to show people who God is we must love them well. A lot of nonprofits are great ways to get involved in your community, take a stand on an issue, or just give people your time. I have made a list of 5 nonprofits that can get ideas and love flowing.
1. INTERNATIONAL JUSTICE MISSION
The aspect of Justice in the name explains what IJM are all about. They are freeing captives, bringing justice in communities, restoring the broken, and strengthening justice systems. Human Trafficking is in the top 3 crimes world wide today. 27 million are desperately in need of freedom and restoration. IJM is setting captives free, and have set 25,000 out from oppression. They are currently protecting 21 million people from violence around the world. You can get involved by joining your local college student's team, getting your church involved, or donating to help. For more information visit https://www.ijm.org/.
2. LOVE YOUR MELON
Love Your Melon began in 2012 in the minds of two entrepreneurship students. Love Your Melon partners with nonprofit organizations to help fight against children's cancer by selling beanies, hats, shirts, and more. They also have the goal of giving every kid battling cancer a hat. You can get involved with this organization by joining a local campus crew, buying adorably cool merchandise, and joining them in building awareness of childhood cancer. To check out the organization visit https://www.loveyourmelon.com/. If you buy anything please select Hardin-Simmons University at check out!!!
3. BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
BBBS is a big-little program in which you mentor someone younger than you. BBBS offers two different ways of getting involved through their community based program and lunch buddy program. This organization is a great way to connect with the community and get to pour into the life of a child. So many kids are waiting for bigs to be matched with, so contact your local Big Brothers Big Sisters and get matched with a little or read more about them on their website at http://www.bbbs.org/site/c.9iILI3NGKhK6F/b.5962335....
4. WORLD VISION
World Vision is a Christian organization partnering with children, families, and communities to help diminish poverty and injustice. This nonprofit brings unity by connecting people from all around the world. For $39 a month, you can sponsor a child and their community from places all over the world to help fight poverty. Not only can you sponsor children through this organization but you can also help provide necessities in communities like clean water, chickens and cows, clothing, medicines, and more. For learn more visit http://www.worldvision.org/.
5. ENGAGE THE CRISIS
Engage the Crisis is an organization put together by Antioch Movement to be a relief effort. Refugees are flooding to Europe to find peace and stability. Engage the Crisis helps mobilize people to draw the Muslim community to Jesus and share the love he has for them. You can help by praying, giving, and/or going. See http://antiochcc.com/engage-the-crisis/ to get involved.
This list is 5 of SO MANY more organizations to get involved with. Let's be a generation that gets involved, loves others well, and spreads the name of Jesus in our communities, our nation, and the world.
