Faith Build

Each year, Portland Habitat for Humanity organizes at least one "Faith Build" - inviting Portland's faith community to put their faith into action through helping build a safe, decent affordable home for a deserving family.  

In 2007, we partnered again with Thrivent Builds/Lutheran home to build a second home, also in North Portland's New Columbia neighborhood.   We also plan to have another cross-denominational Faith Build later in 2007 and in 2008.  We encourage you to sign up for our Faith Build e-newsletter to keep posted on more details on these builds as they become available.  

In 2006, we actually completed 3 Faith Builds!  One was part of our 16-home development in SE Lambert, and another was in North Portland's New Columbia neighborhood. The third home was also in North Portland, and was part of the "Thrivent Builds" national program sponsored by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. Thanks to the Portland faith community, three families are now in simple, decent, affordable homes of their own.

All faith organizations are welcomed to partner with us in these special builds, and our our builds, through prayer, volunteering, and/or fundraising.  It's a wonderful way for congregations to come together and make a difference in your local community!

Habitat for Humanity is a Christian Ministry dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide, and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat for Humanity has an open-door policy: all who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. Habitat for Humanity has always had a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion, and we welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds. The work of Habitat for Humanity is driven by the desire to give tangible expression to the love of God through the work of eliminating poverty housing. Habitat's mission and methods are predominantly derived from a few key theological concepts: the necessity of putting faith into action, the "economics of Jesus" and the "theology of the hammer."

Putting Faith Into Action: Habitat's ministry is based on 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. Our love must not be words only -- it must be true love, which shows itself in action. Habitat provides an opportunity for people to put their faith and love into action, bringing diverse groups of people together to make affordable housing and better communities a reality for everyone.

The Economics of Jesus:  When people act in response to human need, giving what they have without seeking profit or interest, we believe God magnifies the effects of our efforts. Habitat refers to this perspective as "the economics of Jesus." Our program of zero-interest mortgages supports what is stated in Exodus 22.25: “If you lend money to any of My people who are poor among you, you shall not be like a moneylender to him; you shall not charge him interest.” Together, the donated labor of construction volunteers, the support of partner organizations and the homeowners' "sweat equity" make Habitat's house-building possible.

The Theology of the Hammer: Habitat is a partnership founded on common ground -- bridging theological differences by putting love into action. Everyone can use the hammer as an instrument to manifest God's love.  Habitat's Founder, Millard Fuller, calls this concept "the theology of the hammer," explaining, "we may disagree on all sorts of other things... but we can agree on the idea of building homes with God's people in need, and in doing so using biblical economics: no profit and no interest.  The Bible teaches that God is the God of the whole crowd.  God's love leaves nobody out, and my love should not either. This understanding drives 'the theology of the hammer' around the world, steadily building more and more houses in more and more countries."

Join us, and put your faith into action!