History.
The idea of Just Love was first dreamed by Rev. Dr. Jarrett Banks who, after a lifetime as a Christian and eventually a pastor, wondered if there was a way for the church to exist differently in the world. What if we stripped away everything and focused everything on loving our neighbors? What started as a dream became a reality on the Northshore of New Orleans and Greater New Orleans, with several new “neighborhoods” under development throughout the United States. Each neighborhood is different, but all are united with the same mission, vision, and values.
Mission.
We exist to Just Love Our Neighbors body, mind, and soul so their lives will experience healing and wholeness.
Values.
Humility: We hold a deep respect for everyone’s perspective and the wisdom it offers the world. We will always approach others in a posture of openness and trust.
Empowerment: We believe that everyone brings a unique gift into the world. We seek to foster environments that offer the resources, support, and autonomy to encourage their unique gift to be revealed and released.
Action: We know we can’t do everything but can always do something. We are committed to being people who will respond when needs arise.
Love: We affirm the ultimate expression of love is when it is freely given without expectation for anything in return. We endeavor to be a people known for that kind of love.
Relationships: We recognize that every human being needs connection to flourish. We strive to be a community that is authentic, vulnerable, and safe for everyone.
Selflessness: We are convinced that thinking of ourselves less will allow us to think more of others. We follow the model of Jesus, who demonstrated how this posture will change the world.
Vision.
We believe the power of selfless love will heal the world.
Body, Mind, Soul.
Why body, mind, and soul? To bring wholeness to a person, we need to care for the whole person. We all have been so stressed it made us physically sick or witnessed such beauty it felt like a spiritual experience. Those feelings and experiences demonstrate the mind-body-soul connection. A holistic approach to well-being involves bringing these three aspects of the self into balance to create harmony and health. The mind, body, and soul conception is a way of understanding ourselves as "whole people."
Our mind is our thinking mind (both conscious and unconscious) that is responsible for our beliefs, thoughts, and actions. Mental health is about having a balanced and positive state of mind. A healthy mind is characterized by the ability to manage stress, maintain healthy relationships, cope with challenges, and experience a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Mental health includes self-awareness, emotional regulation, positive thinking, effective problem-solving, and seeking support when needed.
Our bodies are the physical aspect of ourselves that carries us through life and allows us to experience the world through our five senses. Physical health involves maintaining a sound and well-functioning body. It includes factors such as proper nutrition, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, and overall bodily fitness. This area of focus is of particular importance given that every one needs basic bodily needs met before one can focus on their mental and spiritual well-being.
Our soul is that intangible part of us that some might refer to as our spirit or essence. The concept of the soul is more subjective and can vary depending on individual beliefs and perspectives. For some, spiritual health involves connecting with a higher power, living in alignment with one's values, and seeking a sense of purpose, meaning, and transcendence. It can include engaging in religious or spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, or contemplation, and exploring existential questions.