Should Your Church Join Habitat for Humanity?

If you want to do a hands-on project, get outdoors, and join a mission that directly benefits people, look into Habitat for Humanity. They embody the meaning of helping your neighbor and they operate all over the world. Should your church join this faith-based nonprofit group? Read on and find out.

What Is Habitat for Humanity?

Habitat for Humanity, sometimes called HFH or simply Humanity, is a nonprofit organization operating in over 70 countries worldwide. Their mission is to build low-cost houses or renovate existing homes for people who need an affordable place to live, and they recruit volunteers for the construction process.

HFH helps people of every nationality, race, and religion. Above all, they’re a Christian organization that desires to spread God’s love and give people hope.

Why Should Your Church Join Habitat for Humanity?

There are many compelling reasons to team up with this faith-based organization. Some of them include:

1. To Bond With Others

You’ll get to know your fellow volunteers as you work together, and you could make great friends and connections. This can be a wonderful opportunity for your youth group, especially, to form new bonds with people wanting to serve their community.

2. To Help Those in Need

Habitat for Humanity has a noble cause. By providing affordable housing, they give people much more than just a place to live – they provide safety, sanitary conditions, and a sense of belonging and opportunity. A house is a refuge that gives people stability and a chance to recover from life’s challenges.

3. To Have Fun as a Team

Building a house with a crew of like-minded volunteers can be really fun. You’ll get to do hands-on work like hanging drywall, cutting doorways, and hammering nails, and you’ll make some great memories in the process.

4. To Get in Shape

Construction is hard work! You’ll likely get your blood pumping, break a sweat, and feel sore at the end of the day. That means you’re probably going to build muscle and feel healthier overall. No matter your age, it’s always a good time to start getting fit.

5. To Restore Your Faith

Seeing Good Samaritans giving aid to others while expecting nothing in return is, in itself, rewarding. You’ll realize that people want to help each other and can put aside their differences to work on a common goal.

6. To Develop New Skills

Unless you’ve worked in construction before, you’ll probably learn a lot about the building process. You might get a chance to use a circular saw, paint sprayer, drill press, or sanding block for the first time and come away with new knowledge and confidence in your abilities.

Additionally, you can develop your interpersonal skills as you interact with new people and work with your friends in a completely novel environment.

Tool Tips for DIY Amateurs

If you’re new to the construction scene, that’s OK. Everyone has to start somewhere! Here are a few things you should know about five common tools:

• Bandsaws: To break in your blade, start with a bit of pressure and gradually increase it, depending on your material type. For softer metals, use a break-in pressure that’s 50% of the normal feed pressure for the first 50 to 100 square inches.
• Sanders: Always push a belt sander away from you, never side to side. Use an orbit sander, also called a palm sander, if you want to make circular motions on a small area.
• Paint mixers: Make sure your automatic mixer is fully submerged in the paint can before turning it on, or you’ll coat everything and everyone around you in a lovely new shade.
• Paint sprayers: Always wear goggles if you’re using a sprayer to paint a ceiling. The sprayer will create tiny paint particles that drift down afterward.
• Finish nailers: Before pulling the trigger on a nail gun, you must depress the safety nose. This prevents you from accidentally shooting a nail before you’re ready.

A Worthy Cause

Volunteering for a nonprofit organization that builds homes, strengthens communities, and gets people back on their feet is a noble way to spend your time. If you want to do something physically active that makes a difference in people’s lives, consider getting your church involved with Habitat for Humanity.