CHURCHES WORK WITH HABITAT FOR HUMANITY DURING THE JIMMY CARTER WORK PROJECT

Religion News Service (press release)
June 17 2005

Armenian Church leaders announce new partnership to build Habitat
homes

Contact: Duane Bates Jennifer Lindsey
Habitat for Humanity Habitat for Humanity
Cell 229-938-1917 Cell 202-270-2030
dbates@habitat.org jlindsey@habitat.org

BENTON HARBOR and DETROIT, Mich. (June 16, 2005) – Volunteers from more
than 50 churches will help sponsor and build more than 40 homes during
Habitat for Humanity’s 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Michigan,
June 19-24.

During the annual event, thousands of volunteers will join former
U.S. President and Nobel Peach Prize laureate Jimmy Carter and
his wife, Rosalynn, to make the dream of homeownership come true
with families in need. Volunteers will complete more than 230 homes
throughout Michigan and in Windsor, Canada. The Carters will build
in host cities Benton Harbor and Detroit.

Leading up to the project, denominational leaders Bishop Gary Hansen
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and Bishop Bob Gepert
of the Episcopal Church led a campaign to get denominations engaged
by providing seed money and matching grants to encourage involvement
from local congregations. Diverse church groups represented include
Presbyterians, United Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, Baptists
and many non-denominational churches including Willow Creek Community
Church near Chicago, which is sending more than 200 volunteers and
sponsoring two homes

Representatives from faith coalitions such as Bob Edgar, general
secretary of the National Council of Churches, and Michigan Faith
Leaders Council will show their support by building along with church
members from various denominations and nondenominational churches.

On June 21 in Detroit, His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch
and Catholicos of All Armenians will preside over an announcement
regarding the Armenian Church’s partnership with Habitat for Humanity
to build in Armenia, the United States and other countries.

“For many years Willow Creek has engaged with Habitat for Humanity
locally, nationally and internationally. The role Habitat plays
in reaching out to those unable to afford housing is vital and
unparalleled,” said Bill Hybels, senior pastor of Willow Creek
Church. “The opportunity for the Church to partner with Habitat allows
a unique expression of Matthew 25 to be lived out. We are honored to
be participants in the 2005 Jimmy Carter Work Project in Michigan.”

About Habitat for Humanity International

Habitat for Humanity International, based in Americus, Ga., is
an ecumenical Christian ministry dedicated to eliminating poverty
housing. By the end of 2005, Habitat will have built its 200,000th
house and more than one million people will be living in Habitat homes
they helped build and are buying through no-profit, zero-interest
mortgages.