Stories of Impact

Carol Shafer Retirement

Carol Retired!

After more than 14 years of faithful service, Carol Shafer, founding Executive Director of Love INC, is retired. Love INC board members, staff, volunteers, family and long-time friends helped her celebrate on August 6, 2023.

How it started . . .

In 2009, with her daughters recently married and an empty nest, Carol Shafer was feeling restless. She asked God, “What’s next?” God answered in a variety of ways and led her to explore the idea of developing a Love INC in Hillsboro.

While the call was strong, the task was not easy. There were many challenges along the way.

The first task was to find six different denominations to partner together. With few contacts, Carol sought help from her associate pastor at Harvest to make connections with other pastors.

 

Another challenge was raising the $1000 development fee. While that seemed impossible, God answered in an amazing way. At the end of a meeting with a church to vision Love INC, there was much excitement at what God was doing. They handed Carol a folded check, and to her surprise, they had donated the entire $1,000!

Other challenges along the way included writing a 501c3 application for non-profit status and forming a development board. But God in His faithfulness provided all that was needed.

The Love INC of Greater Hillsboro Clearinghouse/call center opened October 11, 2011.

How it's going . . .

Over the past 12 years, the Love INC of Greater Hillsboro Clearinghouse/call center has served almost 1,500 families with compassionate listening and prayer.

Love INC of Greater Hillsboro has opened eight gap ministries located at different churches helping with essential physical items, like hygiene, cleaning supplies, diapers, and work boots.

The Restoring Hope Program of classes, which were developed in 2015 under Carol’s leadership, continue to encourage and inspire participants with practical skills and life-changing concepts.