March 27, 2003
by Susan Gottshall
American Baptist National Ministries

VALLEY FORGE, Pa. - American Baptist National Ministries, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International, will sponsor construction of a house in Valdosta, Ga., June 6-13.

The construction is part of the Jimmy Carter Work Project 2003 in which both the former U.S. president and his wife, Rosalynn, will participate. The Carters have a longstanding association with the Habitat organization, a nonprofit ecumenical Christian housing ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and making decent shelter a matter of conscience and action.

The Carters have led annual weeklong work projects, building houses around the world, since 1984. Plans call for 77 houses to be constructed in Anniston, Ala., and LaGrange and Valdosta, Ga., during the 2003 project.

In June 2002 National Ministries Executive Director the Rev. Dr. Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III joined a 45-member National Council of Churches delegation participating in the Jimmy Carter Work Project in Durban, South Africa. Along with 2,000 other volunteers members of the delegation helped to build 100 houses for South African families living in substandard housing.

"We used the hammer of Christian love and the affirmation of our common humanity to hammer out a song of love between brothers and sisters halfway round the world," Wright-Riggins said of the experience. On his return he began exploring the possibility of American Baptists sponsoring a Habitat house in the United States during Carter's 2003 Work Project.

Habitat for Humanity invites people from all walks of life to work together as volunteers building houses that provide homes to families in need. National Ministries' Volunteers in Mission and American Baptist Men of the South will assist in identifying the 25-30 volunteers required for the Valdosta project, including at least five persons with construction experience to serve as crew leaders. Additional volunteers-with or without construction skills-from all walks of life are welcomed, but skilled laborers such as electricians, plumbers and carpenters particularly are needed.

Volunteers contribute toward their expenses to participate in Habitat projects. The reduced $200 application fee per volunteer for the 2003 Work Project provides food, lodging and local transportation for the week. Each volunteer is responsible for transportation to and from Valdosta.

American Baptist Churches USA has partnered with Habitat for Humanity both locally-through individual members who contribute time and financial support to building projects-and nationally for many years. In 1992 American Baptist Churches USA contributed One Great Hour of Sharing gifts to the Habitat organization to build 11 houses for families left homeless by Hurricane Andrew.

To participate in the upcoming Valdosta project contact Jacci White at 1-800-222-3872 x2475, as soon as possible.

American Baptist News Service