The Love in Action Fund Changes Lives through Local Christian Nonprofits

By Brian Tress

Over time immemorial, the idea of giving without taking credit for it has been an ideal to aspire to. The bible (Matthew 6:3-4) says, “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.” According to Maimonides, a prominent 12th Century Jewish philosopher, “The highest form of charity is giving without anyone knowing.”

On the Outer Banks, this ideal is in full display through the charitable fund known as Love in Action, established by anonymous donors and managed by the Outer Banks Community Foundation. The fund supports Liberty Christian Fellowship in Kill Devil Hills (KDH), but rather than using the funds for the church’s own operations, the donors intentionally structured it so that the church distributes the money each year to nonprofits on the Outer Banks. These grants support charitable work aligned with the values of the fellowship, amplifying its impact across the community.

Chris Sawin, President & CEO of the Outer Banks Community Foundation, explains, “A charitable fund is typically restricted to a specific purpose, like the renovation of a chapel. In this case, the donors wanted to encourage the church to think about how they could support their wider community.”

According to Pastor Scott Hobbs, much progress has been made in this regard. Hobbs has been the senior pastor of Liberty Christian in KDH for the past 12 years, which has about 800 active members. 

“Liberty has always been a community church – a place where all the hurting and broken folks can come to be ministered to,” he says. “Being able to give and be generous and meet the needs of people means everything. That’s where joy is found. It shapes your life, frames your perspective, keeps you from being self-centered. It’s an honor to be entrusted.” He smiles and adds, “And it’s just stinkin’ fun!”

Each year in the fall, the church elders come together to decide on distributions from the fund, with the one caveat being that the money cannot go toward the operations of any local church, including Liberty, but rather to any Christian nonprofit that serves Dare County. The ten elders – ranging in age from 37 to 86, and professions from a personal trainer to a town manager – begin the process by articulating their positions, with the four potential reactions, according to Pastor Hobbs, being: “I agree,” “I am on the fence, but trust the other elders,” “I don’t agree at all, but I trust the rest,” or “I don’t agree that this aligns with the Word.” 

As final decisions must be unanimous, in the case of the latter response, the elders will pray and verbalize until consensus is reached one way or the other. There are no ranks among them; all elders have an equal say. 

“They stay there until they decide,” Hobbs says. “Most meetings last 3 to 4 hours. Because everyone’s in agreement on the core thing when they first sit down with each other – finding the Lord’s heart and loving on folks – no one digs their heels in either way.”

Some previous recipients of Love In Action grants include the Dare Challenge Women’s Center, providing a peaceful environment where people can heal from addictions while growing in Christ; WaterLife Pregnancy Care Center, offering free and confidential pregnancy services and support to women and men; and Cross Roads OBX, providing assistance to those who have been impacted by homelessness, addiction, incarceration, or events which have led to a loss of direction and trust in God, themselves and others.

Concrete results have been achieved. In the case of Cross Roads, the Love in Action grant resulted in the employment of a male staffer to drive men to rehab who are ready to receive help, often addressing a time-sensitive need within a very short window. 

“The legacy of this fund has changed lives,” says Hobbs. “I think about a young couple who is unexpectedly pregnant, who roll in the door at WaterLife and are met with people who speak comfort and hope, parenting classes, and formula if they can’t afford it. People getting free from addiction – some of them women, some men, some are young, some are older with wives and kids –  and restoring relationships.”

The respect and admiration Pastor Hobbs has for the fund’s anonymous donors is obvious. 

“The donors are giving so that we can be giving,” he says. “They’re whole heart is in loving the values of the church, meeting the needs of the people. They needed to put a structure in place to allow them to continue to give beyond their lifetime, for generations to come.” 

Sawin says, “Donors of faith can work with the Community Foundation to support their religious values and be part of a grand tradition. The history of Christian charities is long and deep. We can set up an endowment to disperse a certain amount forever, leaving a lasting legacy of what they believe in.”

It has never been easier for you to make a real impact in our community! At the Outer Banks Community Foundation, there are countless ways to get involved in philanthropy, and one of the simplest and most effective is by creating a donor-advised fund. Start your journey today and make a lasting difference in the lives of those around us.

​​To learn more about the Community Foundation, visit OBCF.org.

About the Outer Banks Community Foundation: The Outer Banks Community Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization committed to fostering philanthropy and supporting local causes. Through its charitable funds and grant programs, the Foundation strives to enrich the quality of life for residents of the Outer Banks.