wfn.org | NCC General Secretary Building Homes for Habitat

["NCC News" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

NCC General Secretary to roll up his sleeves
To help build 40 homes for Habitat for Humanity

New York, June 16, 2005 -- National Council of Churches USA General Secretary
Bob Edgar will join former President Jimmy Carter and volunteers from 50
churches June 19-24 to build 40 homes during Habitat for Humanity's 2005
Jimmy Carter Work Project in Michigan.

"President Carter is demonstrating once again that our obligation to those
who are struggling in our economy is more than lip service and good
intentions," Edgar said. "The thousands of volunteers who will be rolling up
their sleeves and grabbing hammers are witnesses to the fact that we all have
a duty to work together. Those who have homes must never turn their backs on
those who can't afford them."

A special addition to this year's work project will be the presence of His
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
Karekin will preside over an announcement of the Armenian Church's
partnership with Habitat for Humanity to build in Armenia, the United States
and other countries.

During the annual event, thousands of volunteers will join Mr. Carter and his
wife, Rosalynn, to make the dream of homeownership come true for 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 Michigan Faith Leaders Council will show their support
by building along with church members from various denominations and
nondenominational churches.

--end-- 

Contact:  NCC News, Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2252, pjenks@ncccusa.org; Leslie
Tune, 202-544-2350, ltune@ncccusa.org

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