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Church Partnerships

123 Julia Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 334.832.9313 • www.habitatmontal.org

Building Homes • Building Hope • Building Community

“Our love should not be just words and talk; it must be true love, which shows itself in action.” 1 John 3:18

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MISSION VISION

A world where everyone has a decent place to live.

MISSION STATEMENT

Seeking to put God’s love into action, Habitat for Humanity brings people together to

build homes, communities and hope.

MISSION PRINCIPLES

1. Demonstrate the love of Jesus Christ.

We undertake our work to demonstrate the love and teachings of Jesus, acting in all ways in accord with the

belief that God’s love and grace abound for all, and that we must be “hands and feet” of that love and grace in

our world. We believe that, through faith, the miniscule can be multiplied to accomplish the magnificent, and

that, in faith, respectful relationships can grow among all people.

2. Focus on shelter.

We have chosen, as our means of manifesting God’s love, to create opportunities for all people to live in decent,

durable shelter. We put faith into action by helping to build, renovate or preserve homes, and by partnering with

others to accelerate and broaden access to affordable housing as a foundation for breaking the cycle of poverty.

3. Advocate for affordable housing.

In response to the prophet Micah’s call to do justice, to love mercy and to walk humbly with God, we promote

decent, affordable housing for all, and we support the global community’s commitment to housing as a basic

human right. We will advocate for just and fair housing policy to eliminate the constraints that contribute to

poverty housing. And, in all of our work, we will seek to put shelter on hearts and minds in such powerful ways

that poverty housing becomes socially, politically and religiously unacceptable.

4. Promote dignity and hope.

We believe that no one lives in dignity until everyone can live in dignity. We

believe that every person has something to contribute and something to gain from

creating communities in which all people have decent, affordable places to live.

We believe that dignity and hope are best achieved through equitable,

accountable partnerships.

5. Support sustainable and transformational development.

We view our work as successful when it transforms lives and promotes positive

and lasting social, economic and spiritual change within a community; when it is

based on mutual trust and fully shared accomplishment; and when it

demonstrates responsible stewardship of all resources entrusted to us.

Habitat for Humanity’s Mission

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Every house Montgomery Habitat for Humanity builds is a sermon of God’s love. Our Christian faith motivates

us and enables our mission. Like any ministry that must raise money, promote itself to the community, adhere to

schedules and depend upon volunteers, we have many tasks to do. However, as servants of the Lord who are

called to minister to real people in real need, we are empowered by a mighty and merciful God. We witness to

the power and love of Jesus Christ each time we build a house, strengthen communities and make people aware.

It is appropriate that the church – Christ’s body in the world – is Habitat’s primary partner in its work.

Benefits of a Habitat Partnership

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 and

come to a new understanding of poverty housing and people in need.

Provides church members with a tangible opportunity to put faith into action both locally and globally through

our tithing program.

Allows a church to participate in a ministry that has a beginning and an end.

Leads many people to grow in their faith and desire to serve God and others. Giving time and talent makes

faith come alive!

Builds community within the congregation and among all who work on a Habitat project, providing important

and meaningful connections among congregations.

Gives people 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 to see

tangible results of their faith efforts as they work side by side with others.

Communicates the message of being a caring and compassionate congregation called to action.

Allows a congregation to step out in faith and rely on God when inevitable and unforeseen challenges arise.

Quotes from Pastors

A Sign of a Healthy Congregation I think people have an expectation that Christianity needs to have depth—

words are not enough. It is almost catching when a few people in a

congregation have the opportunity to do something good in Jesus’ name.

Habitat helps novices find ways of doing good.

—Bishop Gary Hansen, North/West Lower Michigan Synod of the Evangelical

Lutheran Church in America

Working Together to Make Something Happen Working with Habitat provides us with a sense of missional identity. Building this house has allowed us to be a

proactive player in God’s justice raining down in this community in the form of affordable housing.

—The Rev. Greg Cruice, New Covenant Presbyterian Church, Mandeville, LA

Creating a Deeper Relationship with God I think the number one benefit for our congregation is spiritual. Working with Habitat helps us create a deeper

relationship with God. For large churches like ours, projects like Habitat help us get new members more

mainstreamed in the congregation. It gives people a chance to find a ministry they can

be involved in. It also allows us good experiences for fellowship and group building.

—Dr. Paul Clayton, First United Methodist Church, Jackson, TN

The Church and Habitat for Humanity

“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

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Congregations of all sizes can partner with Habitat for Humanity in a variety of ways. That partnership works

best when we can help your church carry out its goals for ministry.

Volunteering on the job site and on committees is one way to help.

Another way is to 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 Montgomery Habitat for Humanity or collect 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 funds and build a house together.

Tithe. Set aside one-tenth of regular donations for local Habitat projects. The tithe funds can be

used to build Habitat houses in other countries, where construction costs are often much lower.

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.

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.

Provide lunch, snacks, or drinks to volunteers to give them the energy to work through the day

and a break for fellowship. Meals can be as simple or fancy as you like.

Engage Your Community

Continue to be a voice for those in need even after construction is complete.

Host speakers on housing issues (such as a representative from Montgomery Habitat for

Humanity) to raise awareness of the need for decent housing.

Make the commitment to become advocates for housing. Write letters to editors and speak out

about positive experiences your church has had building houses. Communicate with legislators

and other community services groups.

Bring the Habitat message to children by using the tools available to youth leaders on Habitat’s

Youth Programs site.

Ways for Congregations to Partner

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With each Habitat home built, the cycle of

poverty housing is permanently ended. Join with us

as we build hope for families in our community.

Every house sponsor will receive the following

benefits, in addition to those listed with each level.

• Weekday volunteer workdays

• Invitation to private Family/Sponsor event

• Invitation to home dedication

• Name on site signage

• Listing in Habitat newsletter

• Listing on website

• Listing in annual report

• Personalized recognition plaque

• Listing on dedication invitation

Exclusive Sponsorship $75,000 Home Builder

Provides all building materials & labor for home

• 10 Saturday workdays (10-15 volunteers/day)

• Groundbreaking ceremony partnership

• Dedication ceremony planning and recognition

• Table recognition at annual appreciation breakfast

• Permission to use logo

• Live link on Montgomery Habitat website

• Opportunity to speak at home dedication

• Press release by Montgomery Habitat

• 8 tickets to annual Home & Garden Show

$50,000 Love Builder Provides for all of the rooms & the mechanicals

• 8 Saturday workdays (10-15 volunteers/day)

• Table recognition at annual appreciation breakfast

• Permission to use logo

• Live link on Montgomery Habitat website

• Opportunity to speak at home dedication

• Press release by Montgomery Habitat

$35,000 Hope Builder Provides the professional labor

• 6 Saturday workdays (10-15 volunteers/day)

• Table recognition at annual appreciation breakfast

• Permission to use logo

• Live link on Montgomery Habitat website

$20,000 Peace Builder Provides for a kitchen & bathrooms

• 4 Saturday workdays (10-15 volunteers/day)

• Table recognition at annual appreciation breakfast

• Permission to use logo

$10,000 Joy Builder Provides for the walls, doors& windows

• 3 Saturday workdays (10-15 volunteers/day)

• Table recognition at annual appreciation breakfast

$6,500 Apostle Partner Provides roof

• 2 Saturday workdays (10-15 volunteers/day) or 1-

2 volunteers throughout build

The Apostles Build partnership allows 12 individual

churches or church coalitions to join together to

build and fund a home for a local family. As Jesus’

original apostles were charged with spreading the

word about Him, our 12 apostles are charged with

assisting in Habitat’s mission to provide shelter for

God’s children.

For more information, contact:

Elizabeth Saliba, (334) 832-9313

elizabeth.saliba@habitatmontal.org

Your tax-deductible gift to Montgomery

Habitat for Humanity in any amount at any

time is greatly appreciated.

House Sponsorships

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Pray about it!

Prayer empowers us to do God’s work and helps us

make difficult decisions.

Make Habitat a line item in the congregation’s

budget

This will ensure regular participation in Habitat’s

ministry.

Serve up your congregation’s favorite dinner,

desserts or ice cream

Plan a social and spice it up with a speaker or a

dance or performers.

Trade treasures at a garage sale

People seem to give more, in every way, when a

garage sale is connected with a cause.

Make noise with a silent auction

Offer baskets to biscuits and music to meals.

Persuasive organizers can obtain terrific donations

from area businesses. Proceeds can number in the

thousands.

Get creative with a craft show

Solicit crafters from the congregation and the

community to donate items or a portion of sales.

Ask for alternative gifts

A young man at a synagogue raised more than $800

for Habitat as a bar-mitzvah project.

Make a model house

Build a model house in which to collect donations.

Place the house in high traffic areas.

Distribute Habitat house banks and fund-

raising calendars

Children learn to count their blessings and join in

giving as they collect dimes for every closet in their

home and pennies for every light fixture and so

forth. The calendars are $2.50 per pack of 50, and

the house banks are 20 cents each. Call the

Montgomery Habitat office to order.

Buy a brick

Create a grid on a poster containing a drawing of a

house. Sell sections of the grid and write donors’

names in the spaces.

Sell square feet

Create a stylized foot on a certificate and have fun

selling “square feet” for a house.

Crank up a concert

Invite members or local artists to give a benefit

concert for Habitat.

Organize a 2x4 Sunday

Sell the 2x4’s that you will use for construction.

Invite purchasers to sign the 2 x 4’s and to write

encouraging messages on them. Expand the

campaign to include other building materials.

Pound it home with a nail sale

Paint the tips of nails and sell them—$1 for a

bronze, $3 for a silver, $5 for a gold.

Step out with the youth for a walkathon

Set a high goal and challenge youth to obtain “over

the top” pledges.

Phone a friend

Have the walkathon youth challenge another group

in the church to match their donations through a

phone tree campaign.

Collect a mile of pennies, nickels or dimes.

Have your resident genius figure out how much that

would net and then get to work.

Promote an alternative Christmas

Sell Christmas ornaments or other items. You may

prefer to simply ask for donations. Provide

gift/acknowledgement cards.

Honor special friends at homecoming

When you gather to celebrate the heritage of faith in

your congregation, ask for donations to be made in

honor or memory of special people. Create

certificates.

Plan a special offering or offerings

Designate a specific Sunday, a holiday, a Habitat

month or fifth Sundays as times for special Habitat

offerings. Publicize this early and be aggressive.

Multiply your talents

Your congregation can provide seed money ($100 -

$1,000 or more) to be made available to

congregation members to carry out a modern

version of the Parable of the Talents (Matthew

25:14-29). Give members a portion of that money

to make more money. When

St. Giles Presbyterian Church, in Greenville, S.C.,

did this, their original $21,000 was tripled to more

than $66,000!

Try the tried and true

Bake sales, auctions, babysitting, preparing

mailings for businesses and clean up days for

donations are often still great fund-raisers.

Fundraising Ideas for Churches

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What does a Church Partner Provide?

• Prayer

We believe in the power of prayer to help us build on faith. We ask that you keep Habitat’s ministry, partner

families and volunteers in your prayers.

• Volunteer Labor

Over 1,000 volunteer hours go into the building of one Habitat home. Churches are asked to provide volunteer

construction crews and meal or snack crews on the Saturdays they designate to build as a congregation.

Volunteers must be 16 years old on the build site, but children and youth may help in several ways. Individual

volunteers or small groups are welcome to serve during the week.

• Funding

Habitat builds homes at no profit and minimal cost through volunteer labor and donations. Churches help raise

money through individual contributions or congregational fund-raisers. It is also helpful when the church can

secure donations of skilled labor or building supplies. The first donation (amount agreed upon by MHFH and the

Partner Church) will be requested at the beginning stages of construction. The remainder will be due before the

Dedication service. Donations can be made at any time before or between these dates.

• Coordinating Support

Churches should ask a dedicated volunteers or staff member to be the liaison to work with the church and

Habitat to ensure a successful experience and effective communication in each step of the process.

• • •

What does Montgomery Habitat for Humanity Provide?

• Construction Support

We provide a building site, house plan, and building materials. In addition, Habitat ensures professional

construction supervision, instruction, and training on the job site each workday.

• Family Selection & Support

We carefully select homeowner families according to need, willingness to partner, and ability to pay. Each

homeowner invests 400 “sweat equity” hours into the construction of the house, increasing the pride of

ownership and fostering positive relationships with other volunteers. Habitat sells the home to the family at a no

interest and no profit and administers the mortgage, recycling homeowner payments into future Habitat for

Humanity homes. The Family Support committee volunteers support each new family throughout the process.

• Volunteer & Fundraising Support

Habitat communicates regularly and provides support for organizing construction and meal volunteers, church

awareness and fundraising efforts.

• Communication

We will keep your congregational liaisons up to date with the status of the build in each stage of the process.

Photos will be made available and posted on the website. A speaker can readily be made available for groups

from the entire congregation to Sunday school classes. Sermon materials are also possible. A visit by a current

or future homeowner can also be arranged.

• Marketing & Teaching Materials

Habitat for Humanity brochures, bulletin inserts, a week-long devotional plan, and other materials to use in

worship, Sunday School classes, or church newsletters are available. A summer VBS curriculum called “Under

Construction” is also available at http://www.helwys.com/uc.

House Sponsorship Details

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With the goal of building a home in partnership with a family in need,

______________________________________________________

(congregation)

agrees to partner with Montgomery Habitat for Humanity in the following ways:

We will keep the partner family, volunteers, and ministry in our prayers throughout the partnership.

We will provide at least part of our financial commitment, $ ____________ in cash or in pledged

services agreed to by MHFH, by ____________ (date).

We accept an additional faith goal of $ ___________ to be delivered before the Dedication Service

by __________ (date).

We will recruit _____ Saturday work crews and will provide lunch or snacks on ______

workdays during the course of the project.

We will participate in the Dedication Service celebrating this partnership with the family,

Montgomery Habitat for Humanity, and our congregation.

Montgomery Habitat for Humanity agrees to:

Select the partner family, provide a building site and construction personnel to oversee the

building of the home.

Supply all necessary tools, equipment, and building materials.

Provide resources for coordinating volunteers, fundraising, and event efforts.

___________________________________ _____________________________________

Church Representative Date Montgomery Habitat for Humanity Date

Staff/Lay Person Contact Information: Name: ___________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________ Email: ________________________ Preferred method of contact? ____________

Church Liaison Contact Information: Name: ___________________________________________

Address: ____________________________________________________________________________

Phone: ________________ Email: ________________________ Preferred method of contact? ____________

Please return to:

Elizabeth Saliba, Executive Director

Montgomery Habitat for Humanity

123 Julia Street, Montgomery, AL 36104

Elizabeth.saliba@habitatmontal.org

Fax: 334-832-9314 Phone: 334-832-9313

Partnership Letter of Intent