Aspire Ministries Continues Legacy of Service to Marion County Residents
Andrew Carter
Marion Star
Pubilshed 5:50 a.m. March 27, 2023
While the name may have changed, the mission of a longtime Marion County ministry certainly has not.
Aspire Ministries, formerly known as Love INC, is still serving people in need through its network of local churches here in Marion County.
According to its website, Aspire Ministries aims "to see churches working together in unity, committed to helping individuals and families in need grow toward self-sufficiency and transformation by the love of Christ. Individual churches cannot fully meet the needs of every person asking for help. It takes a faith community working together across denominational lines to meet the multi-faceted needs."
Executive Director Jenni Hypes said the agency's leaders made the decision in 2022 to separate from the national Love, INC., organization to focus its efforts more keenly on the needs of Marion County residents.
"I think the change brought more attention to us and more people are talking about what we do," Hypes said. "We've had a lot more churches ask what we do and how they can be part of what we're doing in the community. The agencies we partner with have been pretty excited about the vision we have and the direction we're headed in now."
The major changes in relation to separating from Love, INC., have been positive, Hypes said, including greater autonomy for the local board of leadership team as well as a financial savings.
"By saving that money, we can bring it back to do ministry in Marion County," Hypes said. "We have room for growth now. Marion is a real unique community, so what works for everybody else in the country doesn't always work for Marion."
Services and resources provided include the following:
Cleaning supplies
Diapers, baby wipes, baby lotion (birth-age 3)
Emergency food pantry
Financial assistance (very limited)
Funeral and burial assistance
Furniture
Gas cards for medical appointments
Prayer support
Aspire Ministries is teaming up with one its member churches, The Shepherd's Fellowship, to host a large clothing sale scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 21-22. The sale will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It will be held on the campus of The Shepherd's Fellowship, 1647 Marion Marysville Road (Ohio 4), just south of Marion.
Hypes said Walmart, which has provided grants for Aspire in the past, is donating the clothing for the sale. Clothing for men, women, and children will be available for sale. The bulk of the clothing will be for spring and summer, but there will be some winter clothing available, she said. It is a cash-only sale.
The Rev. Tom Hypes, pastor of The Shepherd's Fellowship and husband to Jenni Hypes, said it's a good opportunity to help the ministry and provide new clothing at a reduced cost for people in Marion County. All clothing will be sold at 50% off the tagged price, he noted.
"It's a great way to support Aspire and their ministry and to continue outreach into the community that shows the love of Christ. It's a great partnership," Rev. Hypes said.
All proceeds from the clothing sale will benefit Aspire Ministries and the services it provides to Marion County residents. Any clothing not sold during the event will be donated to LEAPIN' Ministries, Hypes said.
"So two ministries that Walmart really likes here will get a blessing from them," she said.
For information about the clothing sale, go to the event page on Facebook or visit the Aspire Ministries or The Shepherd's Fellowship Facebook pages.
Jenni Hypes can be reached at 740-382-3340. The Rev. Tom Hypes can be reached at the church at 740-382-3500.
For information about Aspire Ministries, go to its website www.aspiremarion.org. For information about The Shepherd's Fellowship, go to its website www.tsflife.com.
Email: ecarter@gannett.com | Twitter: @AndrewACCarter