After a nearly completed Habitat for Humanity house was broken into three times, members of nearby Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Theodore decided it was time to step in and help in a practical way.
After replacing the new homeowners’ stolen washer and dryer, representatives from the church were able to help welcome the family into the finished home and their community.
“It is one of the greatest blessings to go out and build homes for families who don’t have one. To give them a second chance is just a blessing,” said deacon Samuel Pettway, who led the church’s efforts.
Pettway is just one example of an individual taking the initiative to get his or her church involved with Habitat.
According to the international organization’s mission statement, Habitat “works in partnership with God and people everywhere, from all walks of life, to develop communities with people in need by building and renovating houses so that there are decent houses in decent communities in which every person can experience God’s love and can live and grow into all that God intends.”
Churches are crucial to Habitat’s work in Alabama, according to Charles T. Moore, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham.
“Without the support of the church community, hundreds of families across our state would never have the opportunity to live the dream of home ownership,” he said. “Because of the active role of churches in sharing the love of Christ with families in need, children in these families enjoy the comfort and security of a safe haven that only a home can provide.”
While Habitat has enjoyed consistent support from churches, the support continues to grow all the time, Moore said. And many of those relationships are with Alabama Baptist churches.
“Year after year, we have Baptist churches that not only sponsor families by providing funding for materials to build houses but also contribute hundreds of volunteer hours, working alongside partner families helping in the construction of their houses,” he said.
For example, a team from Brookwood Baptist Church, Mountain Brook, in Birmingham Baptist Association recently completed its 13th house, the product of a more than decade-long partnership with Habitat.
Church member Doug Barton has been involved with the team for almost six years, and one of the many aspects he said he appreciates about Habitat is that he always knows exactly whom his church is helping. “Instead of just sending money, you are actually actively helping someone. It’s a great opportunity to give something back.”
Shane Kyles, a member of First Baptist Church, Opelika, in Tuskegee Lee Baptist Association, leads a local missions team of college-age individuals who spend their Saturdays “sharing the love of Jesus in practical ways” in the area. Last year, Kyles’ team had the opportunity to build a wall for a Habitat house. Though the team did not complete an entire house, he said the work done was rewarding. “I love it when God uses small things to do something big.”
According to Cassie Sanford, Habitat for Humanity Greater Birmingham’s vice president of marketing and development, there are many ways Baptist churches can volunteer with Habitat. Groups or individuals can help with any aspect of the construction of new homes and the repair of older ones, as well as assist Habitat’s office or outlet stores, which offer new and used building materials and household items.
“Habitat is very flexible with the process of getting volunteers,” Sanford said. “We work Tuesday through Saturday, so it is really what works best for the group. The end product is always providing a beautiful home for a family in need.”
For more information, visit www.habitat.org.
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