Church Partnership Opportunities

Congregations of all sizes can partner with Habitat for Humanity in a variety of ways. That partnership works best when Habitat can help a church carry out its goals for ministry. Volunteering on the job site and on committees is one way to help. Other churches become voices of justice as they raise awareness of the need for adequate housing. What is God calling your church to do? Consider these possibilities:

Pray
Without the continuing prayers of millions of people, Habitat's work could not continue.

Support Habitat financially
Encourage your congregation to include Habitat for Humanity in its mission work.

Make regular donations to your local Habitat affiliate or take up special Habitat for Humanity offerings.

Provide in-kind goods and services. (For example, a plumber in your congregation might volunteer to do the plumbing work on a Habitat house.)

Raise funds to build all or part of a house. A congregation may sponsor a house individually or join with another congregation to raise the money and build a house together.

Tithe — set aside one-tenth of the money you raise for local Habitat projects. The tithe funds are then used to build Habitat houses in other countries, where construction costs are often much lower.

Make an online donation to Habitat for Humanity International.

Volunteer
Build strength and unity within your congregation as you work toward the common goal of helping others.

Organize volunteers for a house that your congregation funds or helps fund.

Join volunteer teams who are working on special church builds around the world.

Organize a Global Village team to build houses and hope in another country or community.

Serve on local Habitat committees. Individuals are always needed to help with acquiring land, finding and selecting qualified homeowner applicants, nurturing family partners, recruiting church support and more.

Engage Your Community
Continue to be a voice for those in need even after construction is complete:

Host speakers on housing issues -- including representatives from a local Habitat affiliate -- to raise awareness of the need for decent housing.

Write letters to the editor and speak out about positive experiences your church has had building houses. Also be in touch with legislators and other community services groups. Make the commitment to become advocates for housing.

Bring the Habitat message to children by using "Under Construction," a Vacation Bible School curriculum that incorporates Habitat for Humanity in its theme.