February is often called the “month of love,” filled with hearts, cards, and reminders to care for the people closest to us. But the Bible calls us to an even bigger kind of love...the love of neighbor. Throughout Scripture we are reminded that faith is lived out in community, through compassion, service, and connection with one another (1 John 3:18). Loving our neighbor isn’t just a feeling, it is an action that requires showing up! 

The documentary Join or Die speaks directly to this calling. The film explores how civic engagement in America has declined and what happens when people stop gathering, volunteering, and investing in shared life. For faith communities and nonprofits, the message is quite clear, communities grow stronger when people choose to participate in them. Iowa Heartland has built their mission upon not just programs and services but relationships within the community.  

Engagement is more than attendance or donations. It is people feeling known, valued, and part of something bigger than themselves. When individuals volunteer, attend a community event, or simply take time to connect with a neighbor, they help rebuild trust and belonging. At a time when many feel isolated, churches and nonprofit organizations have a unique opportunity to create spaces where people can serve, connect, and rediscover community. 

Join or Die challenges all of us to take that opportunity seriously. Community does not happen by accident. It grows when ordinary people choose to love their neighbors in practical ways. For those committed to faith and service, that choice is not just important, it is sacred work!  

Join us FOR FREE on March 8^th at 2:30pm at the Orchard hill church (3900 Orchard Hill Dr, Cedar Falls, IA 50613).