Contact: Rich Birch, 908-312-0003, rich@liquidchurch.com; Kenny Jahng, 973-500-8536, kenny@liquidchurch.com; www.liquidchurch.com/media/jesuslovesjersey

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 17, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- With up to 31,000 employees being furloughed and over 190,000 small businesses affected directly by the government shutdown, New Jersey residents and businesses are far from escaping the wrath of politics being played out hundreds of miles away in Washington D.C. While politicians continue to lock horns, a coalition of churches have stepped up to come together and step into action to serve those that have the greatest need right now.

"Jesus Loves Jersey" is a grassroots movement of New Jersey churches coming together to love & serve communities across New Jersey state. Organizers have seen this as a chance for churches in New Jersey to unite under a common banner of compassionate service that celebrates the collective impact by working together.

Tim Lucas, Lead Pastor of Liquid Church, a non-denominational Christian church involved in the Jesus Loves Jersey campaign noted, "This is a great example of when the church has the opportunity to go from the seats to the streets and show our love for our neighbors with no strings attached."

Highlighted community service opportunities include:

• Children's Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, NJ // Serving children with Autism (NJ has highest rate in nation)
   
• Nutley Family Services Bureau in Nutley, NJ // Local social service agency celebrating their 100th year of service
   
• Neighborhood House in Morristown, NJ // Organization serving working and impoverished families served by agency.
   
• Youth Empowerment Services in New Brunswick, NJ // a mentoring and tutoring organization focused on supporting at-risk youth.

Overall, more than 55 different community service events and activities in 9 of 21 counties are being planned the week of October 12-19, 2013. The campaign will accommodate over 3,000 volunteers serving 10,000+ volunteer-hours of community service.

The public is invited to join any of the community service projects listed on www.jesuslovesjersey.com.

"When the government shuts down, it's a chance for the church to step up," said Lucas.

ABOUT LIQUID CHURCH
Liquid Church is one of NJ's fastest-growing Christian churches. Founded in 2001 by Lead Pastor Tim Lucas, the church's vision is to "take church to the people" with campuses in Morristown, New Brunswick, and Nutley. Approximately 3,000 people experience Liquid Church's worship services each weekend in New Jersey and around the globe through Church Online. As a part of its global outreach Liquid provides clean drinking water to the poorest of the poor with dozens of completed projects in Ethiopia, Central African Republic, Uganda, Haiti, Nicaragua and El Salvador. Details available at: www.LiquidChurch.com.

Online pressroom at www.liquidchurch.com/media/jesuslovesjersey. Contact Rich Birch: rich@liquidchurch.com 908-312-0003 or Kenny Jahng: kenny@liquidchurch.com 973-500-8536