Let
us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good
work." Nehemiah 2:18 Circle of Faith
What is the Circle of Faith?
Local churches, who understand our Christian mission, have been among our strongest supporters since our founding in 1991, helping us in ways large and small, as we have built our first 30 houses. Right now, five more families are waiting for the simple blessing of the opportunity to buy a home of their own that they can afford. The mission of Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County is to provide that opportunity to these families – and to the many other families in need of simple, decent, housing. We invite all the churches in our community to join our mission through the Habitat Circle of Faith. Through this partnership, your church can support Habitat in the way that suits your congregation.
What do Churches Provide to Habitat?
- Prayers and spiritual support
- Labor – Volunteers and skilled leadership, family partner volunteers
- Resources – Funding, in-kind donations, possible building sites
- Affirmation within the community
- Potential for long-term growing relationships
What does Habitat Provide to Churches?
Many churches begin their partnership with Habitat for Humanity out of a desire to help other people. They are delighted to discover how working with Habitat benefits them. Being a Habitat partner:
- Provides a way for churches to engage in ministry with an established Christian housing organization that has an excellent reputation
- Allows a church to participate in a ministry of service that has a beginning and an end
- Provides church members with a tangible opportunity to put faith into action both locally and globally and to see tangible evidence of their faith after the project is over
- Leads many people to grow in their faith and desire to serve God
- Builds community within the congregation and among all who work on a Habitat project
- Provides for important and meaningful connections among Christians
- Offers people a comfortable way to share God’s love
- Gives individuals with a variety of skills the chance to respond to the needs of others
- Often attracts new members and involves inactive members by providing people with an opportunity and to see tangible results of their faith efforts as they work side by side with other people.
- Has stirred enthusiasm among members of many congregations who have then sought more opportunities for ministry
- Communicates the message of being a caring and compassionate congregation called to action
- Makes a congregation step out in faith and rely on God when the inevitable and unforeseeable problems arise
- Helps generate a healthy pride within the congregation
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said "Here am I; send me!" – Isaiah 6:8
Circle of Faith
- Pray for the success of Habitat’s mission, families and volunteers
- Give access to church communications (bulletin, bulletin boards) to announce Habitat activities including family selection, need for volunteers/donations and fundraisers
- Provide a contact person to serve as liaison between Habitat and church and attend Circle of Faith meetings (frequency to be determined, but no more often than every three months)
Habitat Faith Partner
- Circle of Faith commitments
- Make a regular financial contribution (monthly, quarterly, annually or each time a house is completed) to Habitat for Humanity of Bulloch County – appropriate to the size and resources of your congregation
Habitat Nehemiah Partner
- Circle of Faith commitments
- Make a total annual contribution of $1,000 or more for program
support:
$1,000 – enough to buy sheetrock
$2,500 – enough to buy flooring or vinyl siding
$5,000 – enough to buy the lot or roof
Habitat Covenant Partner
Circle
of Faith commitments Participate in the financial sponsorship of a
Habitat house, either individually or in partnership with other churches
or organizations
Sponsor’s financial commitment is $30,000 of the approximately $50,000 cost to build a house. Sponsors normally provide the labor and Saturday lunches for work crews, and participate in groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies.
Everyone Can Participate
Whatever your level of commitment, your church can:
- Celebrate Building on Faith Week and the International Day of Prayer and Action the third weekend in September.
- Spread the word about Habitat for Humanity’s local and worldwide ministry throughout the community.
- Plan a workday for members of your congregation to help build a Habitat house.
- Donate un-needed items to the Habitat Home Shop Recommend a member of your church to serve on a Habitat committee or board of directors.
- Distribute Habitat devotional calendars and house banks to congregation members.
- Provide a meal for a Habitat workday or special event.
- Hold a fundraising event or special collection for Habitat.
- Invite a speaker from Habitat to speak to your congregation, Sunday School or other organization.
