Church United, a collaborative movement with over 50 churches from various denominations committed to mobilizing the Church to serve South Florida, spent the entire month of November successfully executing an initiative called “Love South Florida.” Congregants of participating churches were challenged to “Love, Give + Serve” in support of this never before seen outreach to demonstrate the Love of God all across our region.

Love Across the Community

Kicking off the weekend of October 29, congregations were challenged to LOVE by participating in random acts of kindness — paying it forward in a drive through, inviting a new neighbor over for dinner, and then to share their efforts on social media using #LOVESFL. November 5 began a two-week focus on GIVE as churches responded to tangible community needs by collectively donating food and money to people and organizations in need. The final week of November 26 congregants were challenged to SERVE by giving of themselves and their time to benefit a local community organization.

In total, Love South Florida raised over $200,000 for organizations and projects seeking to make Broward county a better place to live, work and raise a family. An additional 50,000 pounds of food was donated to local food pantries and over 20,000 hours of community service were logged.

At the end of the day, Love South Florida was an outward expression of the vision of Church United —  a movement to see the Churches of our community come together to connect, collaborate and celebrate with one another. Driven by the simple guiding principle that no one single denomination or key leader is going to bring about tangible change to this region, Church United believes that we are all stronger together. To them, the Love South Florida initiative was only the beginning.

Do you have a Love South Florida story you’d like to share? Interested in getting your church involved with next year’s Love South Florida outreach? Send an email to [email protected].

Edwin Copeland serves as the Director of Church United with the National Christian Foundation of South Florida where he works to unify the Church through collaboration and celebration to see faith, hope, and love spread throughout South Florida. To learn more about Church United, visit churchunited.city.

Read more articles by Edwin Copeland at: goodnewsfl.org/author/edwincopeland/