Thelifecommunity.church provides rest of rent for single mother, invite children to youth group 

LAWTON – Thelifecommunity.church Pastor Michael Lovett was scouring CarePortal looking for ways the church could help those in need.  

“We’re constantly searching … for ways to give back to this community,” he said.  

Lovett saw a request for $300. A single mother who had been reunified with her three children had to take time off work to tend to her sick child and the missed days at work caused her to fall behind on rent. Although she was working extra shifts and had been able to pay the rest of her bills, she was $300 short, according to the CarePortal request. 

“This mother has worked very hard to overcome multiple obstacles and continues to work hard to make ends meet,” the CarePortal request stated.  

Lovett met the single mother, paid the remaining rent and invited her kids – ranging from 4th-12th grade – to youth group.  

An invitation that would lead to the beginning of a new relationship. 

“That first Wednesday they attended, or maybe the second Wednesday, all three of the kids made a decision for Christ,” Lovett said.  

Lovett said the children still attend the church, and although mom works on Sunday and is unable to attend, she has started asking for prayer.  

“The change, seeing her relying on Christ versus her own strength during this struggle, I think that was the beautiful thing,” he said. “She knew that it was more than just a church helping – it was God giving her provision when she needed it, because she was at the end of her rope and there wasn’t anything more she could do on her own.”  

There are 339 children in care in Comanche County as of Mar. 1, according to weekly numbers released by Oklahoma Department of Human Services. 

CarePortal is a growing connection technology that drives action for local families in crisis and is managed by 111Project. Through 111Project’s CarePortal network, requesting agencies are connected to churches within the area to help meet the needs of local children. 

111Project is a not-for-profit 501c3 with the mission to mobilize the local church so every child has family. The organization’s initial goal is to mobilize 1,000 churches across Oklahoma that can serve at least a family a month on CarePortal and recruit and support a foster family every year.  

If 1,000 out of the 6,200 churches in Oklahoma commit to recruit and support one foster family a year, and serve one family a month on CarePortal, the state will move closer to having more than enough help for children and families in crisis. 

Thelifecommunity.church partnered with 111Project in April of 2022. They have met 11 requests, served 22 children and had a $9,778 impact on their local community in less than a year.  

“Whenever the first meeting was here in Comanche County, that’s when we got involved,” Lovett said. “We were one of the one of the first churches that signed up.”   

Thelifecommunity.church received the All In Award during the 2022 Church Appreciation Summit.  

111Project Regional Manager Brady Sharp said working with Thelifecommunity.church has been incredible.  

“They really have, from the very beginning, gone all in,” Sharp said. “But beyond that, even asking, how can they help beyond that? What other things could they do?”   

Lovett said CarePortal changed the church’s mindset when it came to giving directly to those who were hurting within their community.  

“Let’s be the church, and let’s go directly to the people who need it,” he said.  

Thelifecommunity.church sets aside $1,200 a month to meet CarePortal needs relating to rent, electric bills, deposits, etc. Lovett said it has been great to watch and see what God can do through His people. 

Lovett said they gave 70 percent more than last year thanks to CarePortal. 

“I believe that was a big part of it was people seeing the difference placing directly,” he said. 

Thelifecommunity.church has a heart to serve those in the foster system through their LCCThreads Foster Closet and foster and adoption support groups.  

Out of their 150 congregation members, 8-10 families foster in their church and every staff member has either adopted or are fostering children, Lovett said. 

Any churches or individuals interested in learning more or getting involved can visit 111project.org.