wfn.org | ABCUSA: National Ministries and Jimmy Carter to Build House in

["SCHRAMM, Richard" <Richard.Schramm@abc-usa.org>]

Georgia

by Susan Gottshall, American Baptist National Ministries

American Baptist News Service (Valley Forge, Pa. 3/27/03)--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.

K/2003ABNS/03ABN48

American Baptist News Service: Office of Communication, American Baptist
Churches USA, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851; (800)ABC-3USA x2077
/ (610)768-2077; fax: (610)768-2320; www.abc-usa.org;
richard.schramm@abc-usa.org