Habitat for Humanity: A Christian Ministry
Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to ending substandard housing around the world. Our work is driven by a desire to give tangible expression to the love of God, and to the conviction that to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ we must reflect Christ's love in our own lives by loving and caring for one another.

Though we are a Christian ministry, Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: All who desire to be part of our work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. Religion is not considered in choosing partner families, volunteers, or supporters. We believe we all have a common goal of improving our communities.

The Economics of Jesus
Habitat for Humanity brings faith and love into action. It is a way of believing that transcends one religion to touch on the beliefs of all who care for one another and our community. When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, we believe God magnifies the effects of their efforts. Habitat refers to this perspective as "the Economics of Jesus." Together, the donated labor of construction volunteers, the support of partner organizations and the homeowners' "sweat equity" make Habitat's house building possible. Through our faith and action, the community comes together to build with the partner families. Those families benefit from their efforts by becoming more financially stable, more self-sufficient, and having children who perform better in school. It is our belief that the economics of Jesus are manifested by this evidence, and then passed on by the families to the community that helped them.

Our Church Partners
Our affiliate welcomes the participation of area churches and their congregations. It is in church facilities that we hold our biannual garage sales, stage other important events and hold many of our meetings. Throughout the building process, lunches are provided to building volunteers by a rotation of church groups. Local religious leaders bless the building site at the groundbreaking ceremony (see picture at left), then again at the dedication of the finished house (see picture at top). It is at that time that a Bible is presented to the family, a symbolic gesture representing our Christian Ministry and the Economics of Jesus.

If your church is located in the Junction City/Harrisburg/Monroe area, and is not yet involved with our affiliate, we invite your church and congregation to participate in our good work.

What can your church do with us?
°   Pray
°   Join our lunch rotation
°   Host an event
°   Make donations
°   Host a guest speaker
°   Join an Apostle Build
°   Provide volunteers
°   Engage your community
°   Host a promotional display

Please [ email ] us or call our affiliate office at (541) 998-9548 for more information. Together we can increase God's presence in our community, building it one house at a time.

Apostle Build

All around the world churches are partnering with Habitat affiliates in their area to build homes for families in their local communities. Diane Nunnelee, former national director of volunteer services reminds us that, “Habitat is an arena of servanthood. It affirms gifts and skills offered in love. It is a witness to the truth of the gospel promise that as you give, so you shall receive." Habitat for Humanity brings faith and love into action.

We realize that a commitment to sponsor and build a house is great and may at first seem impossible, but what if 12 churches from the Harrisburg, Junction City, and Monroe communities came together to construct an “Apostle Build” home? Think of the relationships that could be made and lives that could be affected— that is what Habitat is all about—Building Homes…Changing Lives through the love of Christ.

As an Apostle Build partner, each church would commit an average of 1/12 of the cost and construction of the home. The average cost of a 3 bedroom 1 ½ bathroom home is $90,000 and takes approximately 8-10 months to build, therefore each church would be responsible for:

• $7,500 of monetary or in-kind donations (such as new material, skilled/licensed labor)
• 3-4 Saturdays of construction
• 3-4 Saturdays of providing lunches for volunteers
• Provide an opening prayer or devotion 3-4 Saturdays

Habitat is here to be a partner to your church and others. An Apostle Build is an opportunity to put “love into action” and is an ideal way for churches that are interested in doing missionary work to have an impact on those who need it right here in our own backyard! Your church’s contribution is stretched even further around the globe because our affiliate tithes 10% of all donations to Habitat International, earmarked for building homes in Mexico.