Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller is a Baptist – and so is
the ministrys most famous volunteer, former President Jimmy Carter.
However, most of the volunteers who work in the ministry to
help people get out of substandard housing are not Baptists.
Habitat for Humanity founder Millard Fuller is a Baptist – and so is
the ministrys most famous volunteer, former President Jimmy Carter.
However, most of the volunteers who work in the ministry to
help people get out of substandard housing are not Baptists.
That needs to change, Fuller stressed.
“Habitat needs the Baptists,” Fuller said in an interview
during a recent 101-home building blitz in Jacksonville, Fla. “We want
a stronger Christian influence at the center of what we do.”
Fuller said maintaining a religious focus in the organization
is “not by accident.” Indeed, he said each Habitat house constructed
is “a sermon of Gods love.”
The four top people with Habitat are Baptists – Fuller;
his wife, Linda; and Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter. All are members at Maranatha
Baptist Church in Plains, Ga.
However, Fuller acknowledged that evangelistic groups like
Southern Baptists that emphasize personal faith in Christ sometimes relegate
so-called social ministries like Habitat to secondary status.
“(But) People are coming to know Christ through this ministry,”
he said.
For instance, not all the 10,000 worldwide volunteers who work
through Habitat to build housing for persons in need are Christians, Fuller
said. Working alongside unbelievers gives born-again Christians an opportunity
to share the gospel in a setting that adds instant credibility.
“Its in private conversation as you hammer a nail
or pick up a wall,” Fuller said.
Publicity generated by volunteer activity often provides other
opportunities for witnessing as well, Fuller said. For example, an estimated
1,600 volunteers building homes in Jacksonville heard Christian references from
both Fuller and Carter as they addressed workers. Prayers were voiced both for
the workers and new homeowners and blessings were said at mealtime. Carter also
described his faith in an interview with the local newspaper.
“Some Baptists want to know, What does this have
to do with evangelism?” Fuller said. “(But) Jesus said first
to love your God and to love your neighbors as much as yourself,” he continued.
“This is loving your neighbors. This is a practical touch of your love
in the name of Jesus.”
At the end of each Habitat project, the owners of the home
receive a Bible – and the home is dedicated to God. “People know this
is a Lord-built house,” Fuller said.
Since its launch, Habitat has grown to include 2,500 affiliates
in 68 countries.
The chapter in Jacksonville is the groups most active
affiliate in the United States -and it has an unusually strong core group
of 13 Baptist churches.
“We have a strong base in Jacksonville,” said Ron
Henson, associate pastor of Southside Baptist Church, who leads the Baptist
coalition in the “HabiJax” chapter.
However, Henson pointed out there are more than 100 Baptist
churches in the city. “So we are right at 10 percent involvement,”
he said. “We need more.”
Henson said participation in Habitat “helps build community
within the church, helps churches feel they are fulfilling their mission to
minister to people in need and allows a certain number of members in church
to find a ministry outlet for their talents and skills.”
The Carters recently came to Jacksonville as part of the 17th
annual Jimmy Carter Work Project, during which they spend a week building homes
for Habitat. Earlier in the week in Harlem, N.Y, they dedicated the 100,000th
home built by Habitat in its 25-year history. From Jacksonville, they traveled
to Plains, where they were to help build the 100,001st home.
In Jacksonville, Carter worked on the Fairway Oaks project,
a 37-acre development that is Habitats first gated community, complete
with a community center, childrens play area and ball park.
The project was made possible through a partnership between
HabiJax and the Northeast Florida Builders Association.
Twenty-two builders donated their time and expertise to the
effort, including project director Bill Wilson, a member at Fort Caroline Baptist
Church in Jacksonville. Wilson coordinated all planning and construction for
the 17-day project.
“As a Christian, I prayed to use my construction talents
in a ministry,” Wilson said. “God opened up this job.”
In remarks to volunteers, Carter stressed the impact of Habitat
– on those who receive houses and those who build them as well.
Carter recalled visiting Habitat homes built years earlier.
“Ive never seen graffiti on the house, any broken windows, anyones
lawn not mowed,” he said. “They take pride in their houses.”
The one word that summarizes Habitat is “blessing,”
Carter said. “The thing I share with all of you is the joy of being a Habitat
volunteer. Theres a feeling that youre not really successful in
life unless you take some of what you have and share it.”
In comments to a Florida newspaper, Carter gave a clear testimony
of Christian faith when he was asked to compare his volunteer work for Habitat
with his peacemaking efforts around the world.
“As you know, the Savior I worship is a Prince of Peace,
and it just happens that Jesus was also a carpenter,” Carter said. “I
dont think theres any difference between waging peace among nations
at war or people at war on the one hand, which is very gratifying, and also
giving people a decent life and letting them exhibit in their own existence
basic human rights.”
Meanwhile, new homeowner Johnnie Williams said she was grateful
to all those who helped her build her house in Fairway Oaks. “Its
great what people can accomplish when they pull together,” she said. “We
are reaching out with a helping hand.
“Ill be back next year to help build someone elses
home like these volunteers have done for me.” (ABP)