Our Mission & Vision
At Center of Love Ministry, everything we do is rooted in the Word of God and deeply inspired by Matthew 9:10–11 — a passage that reveals the heart of Christ to meet people exactly where they are, without judgment or hesitation. This scripture is the favorite verse of our founder, Chris Banks, and it serves not only as his personal life guide but also as the foundation of this ministry.
We are called to embrace people from every walk of life — regardless of their beliefs, past mistakes, or present struggles — and to extend the same open-hearted compassion that Jesus modeled.
Our mission is simple yet bold: to step outside the walls of traditional ministry and bring the love of Christ to the streets, shelters, and overlooked corners of our communities.
What We Do Now
Our focus is on meeting both physical needs and spiritual needs.
Practical Support: Food, hygiene items, clean clothing, blankets and coats in the winter, and emergency supplies for those in crisis.
Heart Connection: We don’t just hand things out and walk away. We sit down, listen, learn each person’s story, and speak words of hope into their lives.
Faith and Restoration: Our aim is to plant seeds in hurting hearts — trusting God to water them and bring healing, renewal, and transformation.
Hope for the Hurting: Suicide Prevention & Awareness
A core part of our mission is bringing hope to those who feel hopeless. Many we encounter are not only struggling with homelessness or hunger but also battling despair and suicidal thoughts. We believe that no one should walk through that darkness alone.
Through public trainings, awareness campaigns, and outreach programs like Smiles to Caskets, we:
Educate communities to recognize warning signs and respond with compassion.
Create safe conversations around grief, mental health, and hope.
Offer peer and faith-based support to those who feel unseen and unloved.
Bridge to resources by connecting individuals to crisis hotlines, counseling, and professional care.
Follow through with care so people know they are never forgotten.
Our mission is not just to prevent tragedy but to transform culture — replacing silence with open dialogue, shame with grace, and despair with hope in Christ.
Connecting Communities
Connection is at the heart of transformation. One of the ways we build connection is through small but meaningful acts — offering a necklace, a pocket-sized Scripture card, or simply asking someone if they’d like prayer.
These moments may seem simple, but they open the door to conversation, trust, and an encounter with God’s love. By creating space for the Holy Spirit to work — whether in a city street, a park, or outside a grocery store — we plant seeds of faith that can grow into lasting change.
Our Partnership with The Chris Banks Foundation
We are honored to partner with The Chris Banks Foundation (TCBF), which shares our heart for compassion and outreach. This partnership strengthens our ability to respond quickly to urgent needs, coordinate resources effectively, and dream bigger about what’s possible for those we serve.
Together, we are a united force for hope — extending Christ’s love to the most vulnerable.
Where We Are Going
Our vision for the future is bold and full of faith. We dream of a network of compassionate outreach hubs across our region — places where people not only find emergency help but also begin a journey toward healing and restoration.
We are working toward:
Welcome Centers – Safe havens offering meals, showers, and connection with caring volunteers who pray, encourage, and guide individuals toward stability.
Transitional Housing – Housing combined with life skills, job training, and mentorship to help people rebuild their lives.
Mobile Outreach Units – Vans and buses that deliver food, hygiene supplies, medical referrals, and prayer directly to those on the streets.
Addiction Recovery Support – Partnerships with local programs and Christ-centered guidance for those battling addiction.
Suicide Prevention & Crisis Response – Expanding our ability to respond in moments of crisis with trained volunteers, public awareness events, and Christ-centered care.
Community Education & Engagement – Equipping churches, schools, and businesses to understand homelessness through a biblical lens and join us in ongoing acts of service.